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.

By deal with it I mean cafes create dog free areas as well as dog friendly, etc, not that the individual allergic person should just suck it up.
My point is that it is the problems caused that we should address, not the psychology of the individual dog owner. After all, the problems caused are the same whether the reason the person is taking their dog to the cafe is that they need a security blanket, have rehomed a dog with separation anxiety due to previous neglect, or simply haven’t thought about any other possibilities.

You’ve just answered your own question there. One of my friends has such a severe allergy to cats she has to carry an epipen. She has never been able to visit me because I have two cats. Also, from an animal welfare POV: both cats and rabbits are incredibly territorial animals. Taking them out of the comfort zone of their own homes is not responsible pet owner behaviour.

But again, none of that is actually my problem is it? I don’t foist my emotional needs onto others so why should some dog owners do it to me? As an example, I often need some music/an audiobook on to help me to self regulate as I suffer from vertigo and travel sickness. In those instances I put on noise cancelling headphones. What I don’t do is play my music/audiobook at top volume and expect those around me to just suck it up because my needs. It’s basic human decency which I appreciate is increasingly low on the ground.

I have told you that both animals were fine, and to blow my own trumpet I'm told by others that I'm better than average at reading animal discomfort signs. The rabbit was unrestrained, sat on a chair, and not frozen by fear simply sat by his person. The cat was very happy, it was the life he'd known since he was tiny.

Many hotels will have cats of their own. Many hotels accept all clean and well behaved companion animals. Cats are free roaming animals and your friend could come across one literally anywhere. It's very awkward for her to be so severely allergic and I sympathise with her disability.

Your protests are excessive.

Congratulations on your animal whispering skills. My points still stand.

exactly, it’s absolutely not the norm or acceptable in any way 😂 bizarre that they are trying to argue otherwise.

On the rare occasion it did happen I’d expect permission to be sought. But honestly no-one I know would even bring their dog to their friends house without asking permission, let alone a clients property.

The fact this poster is trying to normalise this behaviour which actually resulted in someone being hospitalised for 3 days, is a great example of the entitled and foolish attitude of (some, not all) dog owners I mentioned earlier.

Congratulations on your animal whispering skills.

thank you 😁

My points still stand.

Jolly good.

There are many hotels and holiday rentals that don’t allow dogs. I have two tiny poodle crosses and when we go away if I don’t filter results in searches to “pet friendly” you can bet the laces we want to stay most don’t allow dogs.

You can say it’s not your problem and the dog owner can say your dislike of dogs/other people’s dog allergy or dog phobia isn’t their problem.
Alternatively we can accept that people have different needs in relation to dogs and rather than waste time arguing about who is a superior human being, try to figure out a way to cater for the most people’s needs. Which is what businesses have to do by default, because they need the biggest possible number of customers to make money.
What some people have said, and I agree with, is that the pendulum has currently swung too far on accommodating dogs at the expense of people who can’t tolerate them but there are some simple things that could be done to cater for everyone, but businesses might need a nudge or more advocacy by the allergic.
None of this requires dog lovers to be denigrated as sad and inadequate.

I said in a previous post, there is a couple in Lincoln who have a big fluffy cat and they take him out. They carry him in a sort of baby pouch. I have seen them in shops and at least 2 coffee places.

I also saw a young girl (about 22) in a mobility scooter in M&S foodhall with a cat on a lead last year

Which supermarket is that?

This poster just enjoys being unpleasant to bait people it seems, best not to engage. They either have no ability to empathise with others who may feel differently to them, or are just here to try and get a rise out of people.

Some cats are fine with being transported around.

Every rabbit I've owned has been a cheeky mare and perfectly happy to take over any new space.

They do treat their dogs like security blankets and you know what? It’s totally fine to be nervous about social situations, but the best way out of that is definitely not to rely on your dog as an emotional crutch forevermore!

They’re denying themselves personal growth as well as being utterly annoying and inconsiderate as it changes the dynamic and automatically excludes some people who could’ve came otherwise and got more out of the discussion than Fido.

And the funny thing is - and I don’t even have kids myself - but they aren’t allowed to attend that book club with their mothers , and yet it’s okay for people to bring their dogs.

I couldn’t agree more. But we’re not being kind don’t ya know?

How am I being unpleasant? Is it because I’m disagreeing with you?

M and S Food in Stockbridge Edinburgh used to allow all dogs against company policy. Now dogs are banned except for service dogs and assistance dogs.

These dog owners are not being kind or considerate by bringing their pets everywhere. There’s a poster in here more focused on tone-policing me for calling out a cleaner bringing her dog with her to houses, than the fact this stupid decision ended up with someone being hospitalised.

That says it all. They can keep their version of kindness.

To the sensible, responsible and considerate dog owners and dog lovers- many of whom have posted on this thread - this does not apply to you.

Which is irrelevant
and nuts are not essential ingredients. If restaurants were forced to go nut free they would chose their menu accordingly

As it stands it’s their choice, as the business owners, just as it is their choice to allow who ever they like in.

Re dogs on leads
You are quite right and depends on Local areas
for non PSPO areas it’s ‘should’ rather than ‘must’

I don't like dogs. I am not allergic to them I just dont like them. The country is now overrun with dogs. Years ago a few people had a dog. That was ok. Now lots of folk have dogs and even two or more dogs. They are becoming a nuisance.

I don't think any venue can be considered completely pet free given that service animals can't be excluded. So there's not really anything businesses can do in that respect.

As a pet owner I found that many places that advertise as pet friendly actually only mean outside rather than inside and I need to do my research on where I'm going to ensure my dog could come inside if weather was poor.

I think there's a market for both.

Good, you can go to the million other pubs that allow them then!

Pet dogs not allowed in Asda.