In-law's HOA suddenly requires all dogs get DNA testing, costing residents $86.14 per dog: 'You shouldn't have to pay a fee... to have your dog registered'

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Oct 31, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

We love our dogs, but a lot of people do not love cleaning up their mess… so they simply leave it where it is, letting the next person deal with that. It's infuriating for everyone else! 

Picking up after your dog is a societal contract, and not everyone follows it. It's one of those things that many people will do just because it's the right thing to do — similar to returning a shopping cart to the proper spot at the end of your trip. But instead of thinking, "I'll pick up after my dog so that other people won't step in it," some dog owners shrug their shoulders and think, "Too bad, too sad, but I'm not touching that! Gross! I'll just leave it. After all, who's going to know?" 

Well, for one thing, sometimes it's just obvious which dog is leaving the mess behind, because it's a massive mess, or it's always outside one particular home. And for another thing, sometimes folks will get caught on camera, and publicly shamed by people who print out flyers with photo evidence of their misdoings. But some neighborhoods take it a step further: they want to know exactly who your dog is, and if they spot any messes left behind, they'll know exactly which pup is responsible. 

Is this a reasonable reaction to have for your residents who own pets? At least one HOA seems to think so! This person shared the notice that their in-laws received, which also notes that if dogs aren't registered in this new program, residents will face sky-high fines of up to $500. Some commenters found this ridiculous, while others found it to be a novel solution to a widespread problem… and a few folks suggested mailing in other things just to see what would happen. 

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    Cheezburger Image 10570205184
    via ᕈ O W L Y on Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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    'This new dog policy my in-laws' HOA is implementing'

    Dog Registration Policy are required to be registered in a for Poo Prints and works by All dogs that live in or visit the DNA database. This program is run by creating a unique DNA profile for each dog in the community. The DNA is collected by swabbing the inside of the dog's mouth to collect cheek cells. The DNA profiles of all the dogs in the community are entered into a database stored by I Lab. When a waste sample is found, it is collected by our management company and sent to the lab. The D
    via u/AuthorHarrisonKing
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    New and existing dogs and visiting dogs of existing owners are required to be registered within 2 weeks of program implementation or occupancy or visit. The cost for the DNA program registration is $86.14 per dog. This cost covers the DNA swabbing, DNA collection kit, and database registration. Payment can be made with your regular monthly assessment. Pet Registration is by appointment at reguled scheduled times at the community clubhouse or Please email DNA Program Manager m with any questions
    via u/AuthorHarrisonKing
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    vor FINE SCHEDULE == First Fine Analysis and test fee and postage Second Fine $150 plus analysis fee and postage Third Fine = $150 plus analysis fee and postage Analysis fee and postage = $147.30 Failure to register a dog within 2 weeks of move in = Progressive fines starting at $150, up to $500 per month. (This parking policy was approved on June 1, 2023 by the
    via u/AuthorHarrisonKing
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    [deleted] The only thing I disagree with is the registration payment. Besides that, if they want to charge my neighbors for letting their dogs shit in my yard under the cover of night? Go for it.
    via u/[deleted]
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    [deleted] What's actually mildly infuriating is the amount of dog owners who don't clean up their animals shit, especially in campgrounds and parks.
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    Swoll_Alf I lived in an apartment complex that did this and I was totally fine with it. However, they actually paid for it themselves rather than charging me to do it. It actually kept the area relatively clean except if someone had a dog who wasn't registered at all.
    via u/Swoll_Alf
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    ronja-666 who pays if the pile of an unregistered dog is sent into the lab?
    via u/ronja-666
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    snowsover Why does it mention a parking policy at the bottom? Didn't read anything about parking in the notice lol.
    via u/snowsover
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    Jermicdub Oh, to have the kind of time on my hands to worry about DNA testing dog poop.
    via u/Jermicdub
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    Cheezburger Image 10570205696
    via Hannah Lim on Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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    False_Risk296 Hmmmm...wonder what they'll do when it comes back as cat or coyote poop?
    via u/False_Risk296
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    Prestigious-Newt-320 My apartment complex does this and, honestly, I'm a fan. Clean up after your dog and you have nothing to worry about. It's no fun walking out to my car and having to tip toe around dog shit.
    via u/Prestigious-Newt-320
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    Real_RUBB3R The whole process isn't what's bad, it's the fucking registration fee. You shouldn't have to pay a fee of almost 100 dollars to have your dog registered into the system if you can just be a respectful human being and pick up your dog's shit? HOAs are just dumb as hell anyways with all the pretentious shit they do
    via u/Real_RUBB3R
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    linzkisloski I lived in an apartment complex that did that after repeated emails going out begging people to pick up after their dogs. As someone who lived there without a dog i was glad. That's what you get for being a lazy bum.
    via u/linzkisloski
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    Cheezburger Image 10570207744
    via Alvan Nee on Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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hoa dogs homeowner in laws dog owners homeowners association mildly infuriating
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