The pet pounds

Set tails wagging with our guide to creating a petfriendly venue

There’s a pet boom going on. We’ve always been a pet-loving nation but now millions of Brits up and down the country are enjoying the benefits of having a four-legged friend. And these new members of the family are being treated as equals, which means where the owner goes their dog goes too.

This is great news for operators who can turn this pet boom into a profit boom by making your venue THE place to go with a canine companion. Welcome dogs as warmly as their owners and you’ll reap the rewards.

THE NEW CUSTOMER

It’s not just outlets in rural areas that can benefit, an increasing number of town and city dwellers are dog owners – Mars Petcare’s State of the Nation report shows 55% of new pet owners live in urban areas.

Whether you already welcome dogs or not, there’s great potential to attract a whole new customer base. Advertising is key as people will specifically look for dog-friendly places, so signs in your windows or doors, posts on social media and photos of dogs enjoying a treat in your venue on Instagram will all make you stand out. You’ll benefit from brand loyalty too as once people know they can visit with their pet they’ll be far more likely to return. Especially if you make it a fun and relaxing experience for the customer and their dog.

DOGGIE BAGS

Why not put a jar of dog treats on the counter? And consider a dog-friendly menu with items such as special doggy ice cream and biscuits. Keep it simple by adding a few foods that are safe for dogs too such as carrots, apple (remove the core and seeds) brown rice and pasta. Always have bowls of fresh water available too.

GROUND RULES

It’s important to set some boundaries, so consider introducing policies such as requesting dogs be kept on a lead. And while there are benefits to being dog-friendly, bear in mind not all diners will want to be surrounded by animals, so consider creating a ‘play area’ with toys – near the watchful eye of owners – or a dedicated section for furry visitors with plenty of space between furniture for them to move about and lie down. Make the most of any outdoor space you have too by creating an al fresco area for dogs.

Did you know?

RESEARCH SHOWS PET- FRIENDLY HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES COULD INCREASE REVENUES BY 30% A YEAR

THERE HAS BEEN A 10.7% INCREASE IN THE UK’S DOG POPULATION IN THE PAST YEAR, EQUATING TO 1.2m NEW POOCHES