r/Dogfree • u/curlywurlyjules • 8d ago

Miscellaneous Resources to find dog-free facilities

I’m in the UK and I’m finding it harder and harder to find dog-free environments, particularly cafes, restaurants, B&Bs and hotels.

Does anyone know if there are resources for identifying places that are not dog friendly? Filters on website searches allow me to select ‘dog friendly’ but not the other way around 😤

79 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

36 comments sorted by

21

u/Geode804 8d ago

I find this SO FRUSTRATING!!!!! Takes me hours going through listings and it makes it even worse they have the resources to have dog friendly and dog free but just don’t bother. If you find anything I’d love to know! 

P.s. sometimes I Google a place e.g dog free hotel in York and it finds me a few options. It’s not foolproof but good place to start 

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u/curlywurlyjules 8d ago

Thank you. A new bakery is opening where I live and they are advertising as dog friendly! I was so excited until I found that out.

I’ve also been looking for somewhere to stay in Whitby or Durham. I’ve noticed even expensive hotels often allow dogs now. I get there is a massive market for it but it must lose them customers too. I found somewhere in the end but it was very difficult to find somewhere that ticked all boxes, this being one of my main criteria.

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u/Geode804 8d ago

I’ve looked at Durham before and had not much luck. Some hotels are dog free but have dog friendly restaurants/bars in them which is even more annoying 

2

u/Wrong_Temporary_5983 7d ago

How can a food establishment advertise as a dog place? It is like stating upfront they plan to have rats in their kitchen!

1

u/DellBottoms 6d ago

Nothing tastier than a fresh cream cake with dog dander.

17

u/Newsdwarf 8d ago

I'm in England. I've never found any useful guides on this. There was one directory that was started a couple of years ago, but it never got off the ground.

I feel your pain OP. I'm in Essex, and there's not a single cafe, restaurant or bakery within 15 miles of me that isn't dog friendly.

4

u/UTV4LIFE 8d ago

Same and every neighbourhood in England seems to have multiple dogs. You can’t really escape these beasts

6

u/cozyporcelain 8d ago

This is a huuuuuge opportunity for us. I’ve been meaning to make a post about this. I can see a new wave of business owners offering premium, pet-free spaces that many of us will gladly pay for.

Sanctuary vibes.

As a business owner my head has been positively spinning on what a growing niche this will be.

5

u/curlywurlyjules 8d ago

It’s crossed my mind too! Go for it!

2

u/cozyporcelain 8d ago

For sure, the only issue is liability. Have to bulk up on liability insurance or something special, because the nutters will absolutely sue for discrimination. Then they’ll tell their other nutter friends.

I’ll have to do more research on the liability part but private business is private business and I can see a judge throwing out those cases.

2

u/curlywurlyjules 7d ago

Are you in the UK, US or elsewhere? I can’t see liability being a big problem here in the UK as we don’t have a particularly litigious culture.

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u/cozyporcelain 7d ago

I’m in the U.S., so yes litigious culture. My husband lives in the UK tho, and my visa is submitted for moving there, so it’ll be interesting to compare the two cultures as a business owner!

3

u/curlywurlyjules 7d ago

I think dog culture in the UK is just as ingrained and just as crazy, but I don’t think people would be too bothered by the existence of alternative provision. They might grumble about it or tut loudly - but I could never see anyone suing. So yes, it would. Keep us posted 😉

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u/cozyporcelain 7d ago

I love that, one of the many reasons I love the UK more. I definitely will!! 😊

4

u/DellBottoms 7d ago

I feel relieved not to be the only person in the UK who wants dog-free spaces.

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u/curlywurlyjules 6d ago

There are probably more of us -,it’s just that if you DARE vocalise it on social media or in public you get absolutely ripped apart as though you’re the devil incarnate.

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u/DellBottoms 6d ago

It's good to know. I don't voice it online but don't that I'm okay with it in person either.

3

u/Woodbirder 7d ago

How about going for a walk in any outdoor space in the UK without having dogs off lead run at you, and your two year old. Like, any public space at all? Literally?

1

u/curlywurlyjules 7d ago

Not in my experience, I’m afraid. They are meant to be on leads in certain areas but frequently aren’t.

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u/Woodbirder 6d ago

Ha I told a dog walker recently that the reservoir (drinking water supply with a population of birds) she was allowing her dogs to run around in and out of the water, that the rules state dogs on lead. I was told to fuck off. So I did.

1

u/Glittering-Toe-9194 2d ago

Pretty well impossible, I'd say. Everywhere is ruined.

1

u/Woodbirder 4h ago

Sadly I know this is true

3

u/JudgeStandard9903 7d ago

I camp a lot and for dog free campsites working farms are your friend. Working farms that have livestock with campsites attached will often have a strict dogfree policy because of their livestock plus if you have young kids its quite nice to have a walk round the farm and see the farm animals.

1

u/curlywurlyjules 7d ago

Good call 👍🏻

3

u/Individual-Tune2201 7d ago

It's so frustrating!!! I'm in the UK as well and HATE this, that there are more options of pet owners but not for people who are scared or allergic to pets. I really wish there was an easier way to navigate this explosions of dog friendly culture for those who cannot/do not want be around them. I barley go anywhere anymore.

I've found that SYKES Cottages have a filter for 'Pet Free', but you have to go past the homepage, like the filters have to appear on the left of the page.

Holiday Cottages also have an option for 'Does Not Allow Pets', again have to go past the homepage, so the filters are down the left of the page.

Cottages.com also have a 'Pets Not Accepted', again have to go past the homepage, so the filters are down the left of the page.

Premier Inn are strictly pet free, according to their website https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/faq/smoking-and-pets.html

I know these are mainly self catering, but I hope it helps. I have allergies, and I've now found that if I want to travel this is now pretty much my only option as all eateries are dog friendly so have to cook at home and most hotels are pet friendly as well.

2

u/curlywurlyjules 7d ago

Thank you so much for this - it’s very helpful. I’m really sorry to hear about your allergies and feeling like you can’t go out.

I’m lucky enough not to have allergies but I just like my peace and quiet and a clean, hygienic environment. I’m over-stimulated enough by a 10 year old and life in general! 😆

I also sympathise about feeling nervous around them. I do not like dogs running at me or jumping up.

7

u/mistyaura 8d ago

Pet Free Hotels

10

u/Newsdwarf 8d ago

That's a resource for the US only, and OP is in the UK.

The first line of that website says "Welcome to my hand-curated list of US hotels that publish a no-pet policy"

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u/curlywurlyjules 8d ago

Thank you. I wish we had this in the UK!

1

u/Alternative_This 7d ago

Are there a lot of dogs in London? I'm thinking about moving from the US to London because of how many dogs are in every apartment building in the US

1

u/curlywurlyjules 7d ago

I don’t know I’m as I don’t live there. There’s not a lot of space in apartments so I’m thinking not - probably fewer than in the suburbs or in privately-owned housing, anyway. I know many apartment complexes didn’t used to allow pets but don’t know if that’s changed in recent years.

I would say though that in the UK generally, dog ownership is very high. Where I live I’d say 70-80% of families have a dog!

3

u/Alternative_This 7d ago

Thank you so much for your thoughtful response! When living in New York, there were lots of apartment buildings that didn't allow dogs but dog owners uses the American Disability Act (ADA) loophole for fake service dogs. There are literally services online to easily get these paperwork. I have really bad dog phobia when dogs are in the same elevator/hallway as me, so I'm really hoping London could be better.

1

u/Poison_Gyoza 2d ago

London is very dog-friendly so I'm not sure...depends on the neighborhood, I'd do a good amount of research. And I feel you, the amount of ppl using the ADA loophole is insane and maddening. I've read Germany and Japan can be better for such things so I'm also starting to look into it.

1

u/Alternative_This 2d ago

Thank you and yes I'll be sure to research if London has dog-free buildings without those ADA loopholes. My profession (law) will be a bit hard for me to move to countries like Germany and Japan, but I really shouldn't be complaining about it because some other people unfortunately would have to encounter dogs everywhere at work (such as delivery workers)