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?

[Wonkypictureframes]

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.

"If you don't like dogs in cafes/pubs/hotels, don't use those ones. "

This is exactly what they used to say about smoking.

Weirdly I saw a woman in a local coffee shop yesterday with her giant white fluffy cat on a lead. Everyone was looking at her like she’d gone mad

I agree with you OP. I’ve got a dog and even I think they are allowed in too many places. I never take him into shops etc and if we go on holiday he usually stays home

@Wonkypictureframes im debating emailing the equalities commission.

There are loads of places that don't allow pets. Lots of hotel chains, eg premier inn don't allow pets. Wetherspoons are no dogs except assistance dogs even outside.

The range of allergies people can have is so diverse that it's not possible for businesses to cater to every single group of customers that may have allergies, unfortunately. And smaller businesses won't want to restrict their customer base at a time that's already tough for them.

Watching with interest as someone whose mum is allergic..

Yes unfortunately it’s the land of dogs here.

OP, I think you’d have better luck abroad. There isn’t such bending over backwards to dog owners in other countries.

better weather and food too

I'm really surprised by this thread. I have a dog and take him with me a lot.
I have never known a restaurant let him in. Yes in dog areas of gastro pubs. Yes in cafes.
certainly in hotels there are many more that don't accept dogs than do accept them. THere is always a cleaning surcharge.
Likewise Airbnb - cleaning surcharge, 50:50 whether they accept dogs; rarely allowed in a bedroom and always ask for permission first.
I think it's quite easy to find hotels without pets. certainly cafes are overrun by dogs ... feel bad now that I know so many people have serious allergies. Tho my DD who is allergic to cats is not allergic to our doodle.

There is a couple in Lincoln who have a big fluffy cat and it's become a bit of a celebrity. I've seen it in a couple of eating places

There is in France. They are more dog friendly than the UK and have been for many many years

People always mention assistance dogs when it comes to allergies but there are so few of them (genuine ones). I can go for years without seeing one (except that SWR trains guide dogs on its train services). It isn't the same issue at all as everyone taking their pets shopping (or to hotels).

I agree. If you take Germany as an example, you will see dogs in shops but fewer of them, and they have to be on short leads. I also like the fact that they have dog exercise areas in some places so if you don't like dogs around you, you don't go into them (or accept that there will be off-lead dogs).

I was really impressed by a hotel I stayed in with my dog in Eastbourne. All dogs are put on floors 4 and 5, so anyone with allergies is given a room on another floor. Simple to arrange, hard to mess up.

It was quite a big hotel, obviously. In smaller places, that’s harder, but I do think they should always have some non-dog rooms. They can’t possibly have dogs staying in every room at the same time!

I have a couple of questions for this;

1. Even if we left her at home would you not still be affected by the dog hair? So if you stayed in the hotel room after us, even if she wasn't there she's a shedder and her hair gets absolutely everywhere so there'd still be dog hair on the carpet, the sofa, the bed (Although i appreciate the sheets will have been changed)
2. I do wonder why people who say dogs shouldn't be in cafes and restaurants don't support the ones that ARE dog friendly? In my town there's maybe probably 10 dog free options (Pubs, cafes, restaurants), yet they're always completely empty, 2 recently closed down due to poor business. If you walķ around (especially this time of year), 90% of the customers are dog owners who don't really have a choice about being out in the pouring rain. You can't complain that there aren't dog free options whilst also refusing to support them through the winter.

But there are so few that don't allow dogs! Despite what people say on here. I can't think of a single cafe locally that doesn't allow them - and the local garden centre did stop them coming in but has now backtracked.

Actually I have just thought of one - not where I live but near my mum - there's a garden centre which allows dogs in - but they can't go in the cafe except an outdoor terrace.

Hotel chains can vary. I know I’ve been able to take my dog to some Holiday Inns but not others. If you are allergic, you definitely should check.

I go to many many eating places, shops, garden centres etc that allow dogs and have never ever seen wee or poo on the floor.

Probably a town v country thing.

If the allergy sits within the classification for a disability then a person will be classed as such

Will they?
How do you go about sorting that out?
Maybe allergic people will have to unite on this!

That's simply not true at all and the UK also has double the number of pet dogs when compared to France.

Nope I live in London and dogs seem to be allowed everywhere.

No
Im correcting the pps comment that humans wash their hands

Likewise. It obviously happens sometimes but I haven’t witnessed it once in spite of actively choosing dog friendly places over those that aren’t even though my dogs aren’t with me and regularly holidaying in some of the most dog friendly parts of the UK.

When my cat allergy was bad, I was allergic to people who owned cats. I would react in pubs/cafes/hotels. Taxis were awful if the driver or previous occupant owned cats.

I just made sure I always carried my meds. It was a pain but I very much saw it as a me issue. I would never have considered asking a business to lose out on profit to cater especially to my needs. That's rude and frankly very self-absorbed.

I have a dog and I live in a very dog unfriendly place but I’m inclined to agree with you