Do you think there will ever come a time when business need to take account of the needs of those of us allergic to dogs?

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OK, so I don't want this to turn into one of the many threads where huge rows erupt about the number of dogs around. I accept that this seems to be the way of the world - for now anyway - but some recent experiences have made me question the implications.

I'm in the process of booking a UK touring holiday and have spent the last few weeks trying to book some medium range hotels in various places. Mainly countryside locations which might be part of the issue.

I am allergic to dogs and prone to fairly serious reactions, including asthma attacks if exposed for a prolonged period.

The problem is that I'm coming across so many places I like only to read that they are pet friendly. This is often accompanied by photos showing dogs running around the hotel interior, sitting on the beds and couches in rooms etc. If I were to stay in this room after a dog had been there it's highly likely I'd be quite poorly. When I've rung these hotels to ask if they have any designated pet free rooms, they have replied that no, they are 'pet friendly', as if this somehow makes them morally superior and those of us who have allergies are some sort of animal hater!

Given the legislation on dietary labelling that came in following some tragic incidents, I do wonder if we're going to end up in a situation where someone is likely to come to harm through inadvertent exposure. This is probably more likely to be a child as grown adults will be able to spot early warning signs.

I'm just interested in views on this as it's increasingly feeling like I'm being denied access to a service in a way that would not be acceptable in other situations.

I’m with you. I get severe asthma and reactions. Anti histamines don’t work and the asthma could have me hospitalised.

Its so frustrating. Lots of websites you can’t even deselect pets. Or if you can it just brings up pet friendly anyway.

I thought about contacting allergy U.K., but what can they do? I did contact U.K. tourist board who were spectacularly unhelpful.

I think a 1/3 of people have an allergy like this.

I'm with you.

Allergic to cats and dogs, but nobody thinks it's okay to take their cats on holiday or to coffee shops so 🤷‍♀️

We're in the minority though. Think there should be some "designated animal free" places. Nobody would tell eg peanut allergy sufferers to suck it up, and I was hospitalised last time I spent too long near cats.

Unfortunately I think it’s simply a numbers game. There are more people who have dogs than people who are allergic to dogs.

And even if somewhere is normally “no dogs”, that doesn’t apply to assistance dogs. (I don’t know whether they could be legally excluded if there was a place specifically set up to cater to people with dog allergies?)

But it’s a high number of people with allergies who are being discriminated against.

Your choice to go to a dog friendly establishment or not. They will get tons of bookings by being dog friendly and most those of us without dogs don't mind them being accomdated so it makes good business sense
Just find somewhere no pets allowed there are plenty around

You aren't discriminated against. You are allowed to go .. you just wouldn't

There aren’t plenty of dog-free establishments around in every area, though.

i don’t have a particular need for one, but I can’t think of a single coffee shop in my nearest town that you can’t take dogs into.

I think people with allergies are a forgotten group. All these businesses going 100% 'pet friendly' are clearly doing so because that's what's being demanded by the bulk of their clientele. People holidaying in the UK frequently want to take their dog with them. But as a non-dog owner I don't want to stay in a room where a dog has been all over the beds and sofas, ta very much! I can see why they would make some rooms pet-friendly, but to contaminate them all? Madness IMO. Sadly, I think it will only change if people vote with their wallets.

The last two holdouts in my area have started allowing dogs recently. There isn't a dog-free café within at least 5 miles.

I'm generally ok about dogs but I do feel for those with allergies or phobias.

You can’t ban assistance dogs though. Can you imagine a sign saying no assistance dogs allowed.

I very recently had to to request to be moved on Eurostar as was seated behind another passenger and their dog as I’m severely allergic it was a nightmare as there was no space and I ended up in a better travel class but they said to me it’s becoming more of an issue and they often have my situation happening

I’m in the same boat OP.

It’s frustrating and many people simply don’t realise how unwell contact with animal dander can make me.

Fortunately my local pub was taken over by new mgt and they have now designed one of the two bar areas to be a pet free zone. Previously I simply couldn’t go due to the number of dogs (and especially the owners who allow them to sit on furniture).

Raised a few complaints from some dog owners 🙄who felt they should be able to command the whole pub but that’s backtracked given how many people are choosing the pet free zone (it’s actually always busier).

I think some businesses underestimate how many people don’t want dogs in public spaces and I’m hoping we will start to see a roll back.

I appreciate it’s difficult but people who feel strongly about this need to take the risks that other business owners are and set up pet free businesses. You can’t expect others to lose money in their business by not allowing pets to accommodate you at their hotel or cafe that you might visit occasionally.

Im a dog owner and use pet friendly places but i wonder what is going to happen if someone has a really serious reaction? Would there be a response like that to the tragic food allergy cases?We had to get a breakdown rescue out last year and the driver made it crystal clear that the dogs had to stay in the car on the wagon because deep cleaning would set him back hours. And fair enough.
My friend has a holiday let and shes strictly no dogs if you are looking for quiet.

I’m not allergic to them but I am sick of dogs being everywhere so I agree with you.

It is discrimination because it’s not actually a choice. I can’t go unless I accept I am likely to become very unwell.

Taxi drivers can if they have medical exemption. They do need to help find an alternative I believe.

But a hotel have specific animal free rooms shouldn't be discrimination?

Do you think it's because a dog or cat allergy tends to be mild? I might be wrong but I'm sure I read that sever reactions were really rare?

I'm not saying that therefore they don't matter. I have an allergy that makes me itchy and it's unbearable. Might not be life threatening but it massively impacts me and makes me miserable.

I know most people aren't actually allergic to the pet hair either, it's more than that which means a quick hoover of a room isn't sufficient for someone with an allergy.

There is only one dog free cafe in my town and it isn't in the centre. In the village we often holiday in there are no dog free cafes or restaurants. We self cater in a dog free apartment so simply don't spend money on meals.

A man I know is very allergic to dogs. They booked a cottage and were reassured it was strictly dog free. Within minutes of arriving he was seriously ill and spent three days in hospital. They later discovered that the cleaner was taking her dog with her.

People often simply don't understand the issues.

A local cafe to me has banned all doge except service dogs, I’m not allergic to them but now it gets my patronage purely because some owners let their dogs misbehave. They are irritating just like people that let their small children be a nuisance. They got a lot of grief online apparently.

Some hotels do not allow pets eg premiere inn, though guide dogs are excluded from bans. I stay in a fair few hotels each year and do not see many dogs, even the place I stayed in up in the Lake District didn’t allow them

As per my post upthread and the experience in my local pub I think some businesses are losing trade by NOT having pet free areas or being pet free.

My local has seen business increase since creating a pet free zone.

It’s not just people with allergies, like myself. There are many people just sick of dogs being everywhere and the number of owners who don’t control them (even if they are a minority).

How stupid and disgusting to bring a dog to a home you’re cleaning. Allergies aside that’s ridiculous. It probably had its dirty paws up everywhere, it’s potentially unwashed bum on the sofa or at least on the floors.

If you want a dog in your house fair enough, but how can you think it’s acceptable to bring it to a holiday home that you’re paid to clean?

I think she knew it wasn’t acceptable which is why she never asked the owner of the cottage probably, but as with many dog owners was entitled and co-dependent.

That's still not discrimination that's an inconvenience, they aren't saying you can't go.

Yes, but there’s not really anywhere to go. Most of them accept dogs. Abd by giving preferential treatment to dog owners it absolutely is discrimination.