Cafe for pets

CyrildoSquirrel

Hi, I am thinking of opening up a pet store, but not just an ordinary pet store, one were the owners/walkers can come and have a cuppa and a chat, or a small bit to eat, ie a slice of cake a sandwich or something like that, nothing too elaborate. I would also provide a treat for the pet included in the price.

There will be a play/socialising area for the pet,while the owner's can relax and chat.

I will also be offering a dog training service,basic commands ie sit, roll over, beg, bow,high five,i have also trained my dogs to play patty cake with me.

Would you take your pet to a store like this?

Sigma Force

Not sure what the rules are with the enviro. health when it comes to this although have brought dogs to cafes where there is seating outside with no problems.

It'd be nice if every town had one of these although unfortunetly some people don't/can't control their dogs and it can get out of hand.

Are you a qualified doggy behaviourist?

CyrildoSquirrel

Guineapigrescue wrote: »

Not sure what the rules are with the enviro. health when it comes to this although have brought dogs to cafes where there is seating outside with no problems.

Not too sure myself yet still looking that up

Guineapigrescue wrote: »

Are you a qualified doggy behaviourist?

I have had a basic behavioural course taught to me by john rogerson in the uk

Paul91

CyrildoSquirrel wrote: »

I have had a basic behavioural course thought to me by john rogerson in the uk

i wish someone could think one to me

Whispered

Was thinking of doing similar actually. could you do it more in a pay to come in and socialise your dog, get a free coffee/soup/sambo type thing. Might be easier on the rules as you're not actually charging for the food?

Allgäuerin

we would love it!!!!:D

CyrildoSquirrel

Paul91 wrote: »

i wish someone could think one to me

There is always 1

funkyjebus

I would go, but in my experience, no animals can be in the same premises where food is prepared. Could be wrong. Perhaps if these where kept on two adjacent properties you could get around it then. Or if the dogs had only an outside area, maybe with a canvas overhead?

But good premise. Only problem is your demographic is too small. I'd consider being a pet friendly cafe, like a pet friendly hotel compared to a pet only hotel!!

jen_23

Sounds really good and I imagine as long as food is not made on the premises hygiene issues would be fine. You could have prepacked sandwiches/paninis etc etc.

There will be a play/socialising area for the pet,while the owner's can relax and chat.

I'm wondering how that would work? would it be supervised, would dogs have to be neutered etc etc...

It sounds like a fab idea and I would definitly bring my dog though i'm guessing your not doing this in Cork

CyrildoSquirrel

funkyjebus wrote: »

I would go, but in my experience, no animals can be in the same premises where food is prepared. Could be wrong. Perhaps if these where kept on two adjacent properties you could get around it then. Or if the dogs had only an outside area, maybe with a canvas overhead?

But good premise. Only problem is your demographic is too small. I'd consider being a pet friendly cafe, like a pet friendly hotel compared to a pet only hotel!!

you see its not that i am trying to open up a cafe,i am going to open up a pet shop selling the usual,collars foods,toys,etc.but what i was hoping would set our store apart is that i was gonna open up the socialising aspect of it and only just offer the refreshments to the owners while they were waiting.

funkyjebus wrote: »

I would go, but in my experience, no animals can be in the same premises where food is prepared

i think there is a way where you can have pets where food is prepared,because in my local shop i do buy a brekkie roll and they allow pets in all the time

jen_23 wrote: »

Sounds really good and I imagine as long as food is not made on the premises hygiene issues would be fine. You could have prepacked sandwiches/paninis etc etc.


I'm wondering how that would work? would it be supervised, would dogs have to be neutered etc etc...

It sounds like a fab idea and I would definitly bring my dog though i'm guessing your not doing this in Cork

it wont be heavily supervised,in my experience most people like to supervise their own pets, the pets wont HAVE to be neutered but any pets in heat cannot come in.

i have looked at a few areas and cork is one of those places

Paul91

CyrildoSquirrel wrote: »

There is always 1

i know - i'm sorry

Paul91

funkyjebus wrote: »

I would go, but in my experience, no animals can be in the same premises where food is prepared. Could be wrong. Perhaps if these where kept on two adjacent properties you could get around it then. Or if the dogs had only an outside area, maybe with a canvas overhead?

But good premise. Only problem is your demographic is too small. I'd consider being a pet friendly cafe, like a pet friendly hotel compared to a pet only hotel!!

how about a dog par with a cafe on the outskirts of it, people could have their dogs in the park running round while they enjoy a coffee and sarny, then pop in the shop with the pooch after it's ad it's run round

YOURFACE!

I LOVE this idea! I was in the Hofbräuhaus in Munich in January and was delighted to see people come in and relax with their dogs and have a drink. We all agreed it was a shame that would couldn't do the same here. I think this sort of thing would really kick off and it would be a great way of socialising the dogs and meeting fellow animal lovers. I don't know anything about serving food with animals around but if there was a way it could work that would be great! We would definitely go!!

jen_23

CyrildoSquirrel wrote: »

you see its not that i am trying to open up a cafe,i am going to open up a pet shop selling the usual,collars foods,toys,etc.but what i was hoping would set our store apart is that i was gonna open up the socialising aspect of it and only just offer the refreshments to the owners while they were waiting.



i think there is a way where you can have pets where food is prepared,because in my local shop i do buy a brekkie roll and they allow pets in all the time




it wont be heavily supervised,in my experience most people like to supervise their own pets, the pets wont HAVE to be neutered but any pets in heat cannot come in.

i have looked at a few areas and cork is one of those places

I get ya there. I know I'd be in watching and laughing at my clumsy pup
I would think about some sort of disclaimer just to protect yourself in case of any accidents such as 'pet's allowed enter social area at owners risk'

Also think about having something to say only vac'd dogs allowed. Just as I think everyone at this point has seen someone with very young un-vac'd puppies in social areas with other dogs.

I really think it's a good idea and even better if it's in Cork Keep us posted on where you get a premises because I would definitly be keen to know when are where it would be opeing

scottie pippen

If there was a somewhere like that in Dublin I would defiantly take my dog to it

Whispered

If it's kildare/dublin/wicklow - can I have a job? Just lost mine.

Mollywolly

I think it's a great idea as long as you can round the health & safety issues. I've always wanted to take my pooch in a cafe while I had a drink - hate leaving her in the car - so this would be absolutely perfect.

Good luck with the idea and if you need someone to help in your Limerick branch, give me a call

ncmc

I think it's a great idea. I for one would love to see a pet shop in my area where the owners actually cared about and were knowledgeable about pets. I'm sick of all these 'pet superstores' that have cropped up where the staff are all pimpley teens who look at you like you've got two heads if you ask even the simplest pet care question .

CyrildoSquirrel

I am absolutely delighted with the response, I have to admiti was feeling quite cautios about everything

but there seems to be much enthusiasm out there i am goona go hell for leather now get it going

ValerieR

I think it would be a great. Anywhere in France, you can go in and have dinner/drink with your pet dog without anyone querying it. Pity we can do it in Ireland.

Insurance might be high enough though ...

You might want to train as a peacemaker/negotiator too : "Your dog snarled/snapped at mine", "No, yours did" ... as this is bound to happen in premises specifically addressed to pet owners.

Good idea though - let us know how you get on!

ValerieR

Sigma Force

Irelands a bit pathetic when it comes to things like this, if you go to Germany and some other Euro countries you can take a well behaved pooch nearly anywhere. To the chinese resteraunt, pub etc. dogs were well socialised from an early age so very relaxed in social situations.

Ireland is becoming more anti dog as time goes on, eventhough there are even more dog lovers out there than ever. Cant even walk a dog on a lot of beaches nowadays.

votejohn

Hey,


I think its a very good idea but I think you would definately have to have someone qualified to supervise the play pen, as if people are having food and a gossip, you can be sure that there will be people who ignore their dogs carry on, and if there is a bad fight between two or more dogs, it would reflect very badly on your business. Also, someone would need to regulate how many dogs were in there, and kick out rowdy dogs.

Might be a good idea to have dogs become a member if they pass their first visit, to encourage people to come back, and to ensure that first timers get the once over. (by dogs becoming members you can get the owners contact details to send them promotional material)

Regarding dogs in the shop where they sell breakfast rolls, I used to work in a Centra while in college, and dogs were most definitely not allowed in re: health and safety, but if someone came in with a dog, if the boss wasn't around and the dog was well behaved I would turn a blind eye to it.

iguana

Guineapigrescue wrote: »

Irelands a bit pathetic when it comes to things like this, if you go to Germany and some other Euro countries you can take a well behaved pooch nearly anywhere. To the chinese resteraunt, pub etc. dogs were well socialised from an early age so very relaxed in social situations.

Are people sure it's against Irish legislation and not just something that people in restaurants say? It's just that in a lot of cases EU rules supersede national rules and if just about every other EU country can allow dogs is it possible that Irish places can but just don't? I haven't the slightest clue about this, it just seems so alien to me as I'm so used to stopping somewhere for lunch when I'm out with my dogs for the day in the UK.

Though I guess if you can't take your dog on a bus in Ireland the same probably applies to restaurants.:(

ncmc

Also, someone would need to regulate how many dogs were in there, and kick out rowdy dogs.

Anyone else picturing a 'dog bouncer' "Get out you're barred" "sorry, no white trainers or team colours"

I think I would apply for that job!

peasant

Even without the food ...a pet store where you can bring your actual pet to ...for example ...have a harness fitted would be a great start.

A coffe machine, pre-packed scones and a few chairs in a corner could see towards the "social" aspect of things. You could always expand on that if it works out well.

Paul91

peasant wrote: »

Even without the food ...a pet store where you can bring your actual pet to ...for example ...have a harness fitted would be a great start.

A coffe machine, pre-packed scones and a few chairs in a corner could see towards the "social" aspect of things. You could always expand on that if it works out well.

I often take my dogs into the pet shop - wouldn't go to one whom wouldn't let the dogs in

funkyjebus

peasant wrote: »

Even without the food ...a pet store where you can bring your actual pet to ...for example ...have a harness fitted would be a great start.

A coffe machine, pre-packed scones and a few chairs in a corner could see towards the "social" aspect of things. You could always expand on that if it works out well.

Epuipet in ashbourne let you take your pets in. I live in dublin but travel all the way out because of this. That and the staff actually know and have an interest in what they are doing. Best pet shop I've ever been in, huge selection as well.

ncmc

To be fair, I think most pet shops let pets in. Like the previous poster, I wouldn't go into one that doesn't allow pets. Although my dog always lets me down and goes nuts when she sees the rabbits or small animals :rolleyes:

GalwayKiefer

ncmc wrote: »

Anyone else picturing a 'dog bouncer' "Get out you're barred" "sorry, no white trainers or team colours!"

http://ihasahotdog.com/2009/05/28/funny-dog-pictures-bouncer-list/

Back on topic, I really like the idea and would definitely go somewhere dog friendly. I love going to PetWorld just so I can bring my two into the store with me for a wander around. +1 on the control issue though, we've all encountered owners who turn a blind eye to what their dog is up to when off the lead. The membership idea is a good one.

Sigma Force

I was at a cafe in Greystones the other week, and although pets arent allowed inside there was seating outdoors, proper food being served no pre packed stuff. We had the parents small dog and our pup, brought his crate over after a while to have my hands free (as there are no high chairs for puppies lol) and it was fine. There was another crowd sitting at the next table with a very big well behaved retriever I think it was.

No complaints from any of the customers or the staff, so it is possible perhaps if you cant get a cafe specifically for pets you could open a cafe that was dog friendly. Perhaps a large ourdoor seating area with crates provided if needed, having the crates already beside a selection of seating spaces with a chain on the crates so the crate doesnt get nicked. People can pop their puppies or small dogs in there to have their hands free while they eat usually people stop at a cafe after they've brought their dog for a long walk so dogs usually just plonk and sleep anyway.

guinnessfan

Brilliant idea OP!

I reckon that would be a great success if you can get it going! Such a shame there's none out there already

Best of luck with it!