In Warwick, Rhode Island, a young boy with a big heart for animals is going the extra mile to make a difference in their lives, even if it means starting his own business—one that involves picking up pet waste.
Luca Arpin is just six years old and already in first grade, but his love for animals is clear. For years, Luca and his mother, Robyn Bouchard, have been fostering animals in their home, providing them with care and comfort until they find forever homes.
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“I have a dog and a cat at home,” Luca shared. “I do a lot with them, like snuggling, petting, and spending time with them.” His mother added, “Luca has a special connection with animals. He’s calm and cautious, and his efforts have helped almost all 98 of our foster animals get adopted.”
Robyn didn’t expect fostering to become such a big part of their lives. “It’s amazing how it grew into something we’re so passionate about,” she said.
In addition to helping with the animals at home, Luca often joins his mother at the local animal shelter where she works. He’s always ready to lend a hand. “When I go to work, Luca’s the first one in the door. He’ll fold laundry, mop the floors, and proudly tell everyone how much he loves coming to work,” Robyn explained.
Despite all the work Luca does, he doesn’t earn any money for it. “Volunteering is a core value for us,” his mother said. “We lost our dog earlier this year, and it was really hard on us.”
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While they are big dog lovers, a few months ago, Luca formed a special bond with a cat at the shelter. When Luca wanted to adopt the cat, Robyn had to explain the costs involved and why it might not be the right time.
But Luca wasn’t discouraged. “He asked me, ‘What can I do to raise money? How can I make this happen?’ because he felt he couldn’t live without her,” Robyn said.
After talking through ideas, they realized Luca had a knack for cleaning. With that, “Poopa Scoopa Luca” was born—a small business where Luca offers to clean up pet waste from yards.
“It’s fun. I love cleaning, it’s one of my favorite things,” Luca said enthusiastically. “People really don’t like picking up dog poop.”
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For a few weeks now, Luca and his mom have been visiting homes around Warwick to pick up pet waste. He makes sure everything is done carefully and hygienically. Luca charges $15 for one dog, or $20 for multiple dogs, depending on the size of the job.
“I’ve had three or four customers so far,” Luca said. His hard work paid off, and he was able to raise enough money to adopt the cat, who he has lovingly named Pebble.
Luca isn’t stopping there, though. “We hope the business keeps growing,” Robyn said. “Luca wants to continue raising money to help save more animals in the future.” She added proudly, “I honestly have the coolest kid in the world. For him to be so young and already so aware of the animal rescue crisis, both here in our state and across the country, is something truly special.”
If you’re interested in Luca’s services, you can reach him at (401)-688-4061.
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