extend from the handle 22 generally parallel to the holding surface 28 the rods 40 in the preferred embodiment generally extend from the back surface 36 the length of the holding surface 28 as shown in the figures the animal waste collector 20 is preferably fabricated from a wire loop 46 bent in a generally inverted 34 u 34 shape with the bottom of the 34 u 34 forming the proximal end 24 of the handle 22 the ends of the 34 u 34 form the distal end 26 of the handle 22 and are bent at 48 to form the side members 40 two rails 42 and 44 extend transversely between the legs of the 34 u 34 forming the back surface 36 a plurality of rods 32 are secured to the rails 42 and 44 generally parallel with the handle 22 and bend at 34 to extend generally transversely from the handle 22 to form the holding surface 28 the rods 32 bend again at 38 to form the collecting surface 30 in operation the animal waste collector 20 is used by grasping the handle 22 at the gripping end 24 and holding the handle 22 at an angle so that the collecting surface 30 is generally parallel to the ground and is facing the user the user then pulls the collector toward him her drawing the collecting surface 30 under the animal waste ideally the handle 22 is of such length that the user would not need to bend or contort its body while easily pulling the collecting surface under the animal waste when the waste is on the collecting surface 30 the user manipulates the handle 22 until the holding surface 28 is generally horizontal.