You’ve seen multiple people visit coffee shops with their pets. You’re interested in doing the same thing. Bringing your best friend along for the ride is not only fulfilling, but fun for both of you (so long as your pup keeps decorum). The problem is, how are you going to find a decent coffee shop that allows your pet?
There are a few questions to ask yourself first. Are you looking for a coffee shop that you can visit regularly in your community? Do you want a business that’s walking distance from your home? Do you want to be able to sit inside with your pet — or are you okay with sitting outside the building on a patio?
Once you know what to look for, follow these five tips from The Pet Atelier to find a coffee shop that’s right for you and your pup.
1. Use Websites
One of the easiest ways to find a coffee shop that allows pets is by searching online. Oftentimes, websites will include information on dogs and other exceptions that are made both inside and out. You may even find shops that will provide treats or water for your pup. If you don’t find the answers you need, consider filling out a contact form. This is a simple and effective way of determining whether or not a coffee shop will accept your pet as a patron.
2. Visit Social Media Pages
If a company doesn’t have an official website, it likely has one or more social media pages filled with information. Some coffee shops have Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and even Snapchat accounts for fans to follow. Learn more about how brands are using Snapchat through Convince and Convert.
If the ability to bring your dog isn’t listed on a social media page, send a message or tweet. Many companies answer within twenty-four hours, and some reply even sooner. If you ask publicly (in a tweet or wall post), you’ll help answer the question for other future patrons who may be interested in the answer.
3. Ask For Recommendations
Do you have trouble trusting websites or social media pages? Ask your friends and family for recommendations. You aren’t the first person in the world to consider bringing your pup to a coffee shop, and you certainly won’t be the last. Ask around and find someone who’s done the same thing. He or she may be able to supply names and businesses that will work with you.
You can also look for reviews online. Be careful about believing all online testimonials; it’s a good idea to learn when to ignore negative reviews.
4. Make Phone Calls
If you prefer to talk voice-to-voice, make a phone call to your local coffee shop and ask if the business is pet friendly. You can even speak to managers, who may be willing to make an exception for your pup. Managers of family-owned establishments have often never been asked if their store is pet friendly before, and will therefore make a decision when you ask them for the first time. Phone calls can be more convincing, in these situations.
5. Ask Local Shops
Would you rather talk to potential shops face-to-face? Ask the coffee shops you already frequent on a regular basis. Regular customers are far more likely to convince managers to allow pets than one-time customers who only come for convenience. If you have any luck, you may be able to open the door for other patrons, as well.
If your area doesn’t have many local cafes, it may be due to a low walk score. A walk score is a metric designed to measure how walkable a neighborhood is, so if you don’t have any cafes in walking distance, try searching in an area with a higher walk score.
Once you’ve found a cafe to visit, be sure your pup is dressed for the occasion with adorable outfits and accessories from The Pet Atelier!
It might seem nerve wracking to ask if your pup can join you at the coffee shop, but asking questions is well worth the possible result. Imagine bringing your pet to breakfast every morning—or to your next coffee break. You can spend work sessions together, or meet new people. Follow these five methods, and you just might change the way your dog experiences life.
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