An unfortunate incident with the issue of pedigree and restaurant guidelines is just the latest in an ongoing issue concerning our found fur family members and, well, food.
It’s the current “Hollywood” image of having our furry family with us: Eating at a pet-friendly restaurant while at the same time having our extended family next to us, relaxing, or sometimes even partaking of food at the same time.
Unfortunately, this reality may soon be again just onscreen or, worse, be abused by people who should know better.
THE INCIDENT
In a post on social media by Lara Antonio, it was recalled how the Tagaytay restaurant Balay Dako had disallowed her canine family member Yoda from entering. As it turns out, it’s highly possible that Yoda was turned away due to being a “mixed-breed Dog” — which Lara preferred to describe him because calling him an Aspin, she felt, would make the chances of high-class establishments accepting Yoda even less.
The story made the rounds in social media, and many influential netizens joined as part of the angry chorus: John Arcilla, Heart Evangelista, and Carla Abellana joined the Philippine Animal Welfare Society, Animal Kingdom Foundation, and CARA Welfare Philippines, among others.
LIKE A BUFFET
However, the issue now brings up how both sides of the debate should meet in the middle if only to make sure that our whole families can go to as many places as possible. Here are some issues to consider.
ISSUE #1 LAWS FOR PAWS
Recently, an article in Asia New Network came out where a pet-friendly café was apparently warned by the government regarding official guidelines on hygiene. Here in the Philippines, we don’t have laws yet regarding furry family members in restaurants.
Yes, we do have the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 and the amendments made in 2013, but these are mostly for agricultural and ownership issues, not about our loved ones accompanying us to restos.
According to a column by Michael L. Tan, several states in the US now allow canines in restaurants — but for most of these states, the caveat is that they are allowed to dine at an outdoor area only. In all these states, the establishment’s employees are not allowed to have contact with the canines and must wash their hands immediately if it happens.
Under those laws, canines are not allowed to enter food preparation areas. They also have to be kept on a leash at all times, and one state even specifies that the canine family member must be under the control of an adult. Finally, canines are not allowed on chairs, tables, and other furnishings.
There are major differences across the various states: For instance, there are laws in some states wherein pet- friendly restaurants should provide eating utensils for canine guests.
If you’re wondering about our feline family members… Well, only about five states allow Cats. However, they get to sit on their family member’s lap!
ISSUE #2 FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY – ESPECIALLY FOR “NUMBER TWO”
Now, as an observation, I do understand how our furry family members should be limited in terms of integration, even in pet-friendly restaurants. People can be allergic to Dog and Cat hair, they may not be used to seeing larger Dogs, or perhaps they have animal phobias.
Given that a black Shih-tzu named Twinkle has adopted me, I can honestly say that I’ve seen some of my larger friends suddenly worry about a little black mop of a Dog looking at them out of guarded curiosity. What more when it comes to total strangers and those with allergies, especially as I myself am sensitive to Cat and Dog hair.
And then there is the matter of Number Two, or when our furry family members have a waste disposal issue — hopefully not within the restaurant premises, but that can still happen.
I certainly think that regardless of being an Aspin or having a pedigree, this is a serious concern by restaurant owners and staff. All it would take is for a health hazard complaint to be sent to the local government unit, and a restaurant can be closed — sometimes permanently, if human clients aren’t responsible for their furry families.
It’s bad enough that canines will shed fur that can be an allergenic trigger to others. But to have the potential of smelling or seeing waste matter while eating? It can really be a problem.
ISSUE #3 CLASSISM — NO, REALLY
As a Dog lover, I am by nature predisposed to loving Dogs. But let’s face it:
Our culture seems to lean heavily on subdividing people and their animal companions by classes – and this is where Balay Dako obviously fails. While they may have issues about hygiene and safety for all their customers, it seems that on some level, they equate cleanliness and training with expensive, pedigreed furry family members.
As for beloved Aspins? Their view is questionable.
And this is why I talked about practical guidelines and family responsibility first, because that is what we do need in terms of establishing pet-friendly guidelines: hygiene and customer service first, encouraging and perhaps even enforcing family responsibility (so as not to have embarrassing and potentially disastrous incidents), and finally, on the side of the establishments, removing the classist/ racist treatment of Dogs according to their pedigree.
THE AYES AND NAYS
All that being said… What are the pros and cons of choosing to go to a pet-friendly place?
THE AYES…
MORE CLIENTS
Furry families will be drawn to such an establishment — this is a plus point, particularly if you as the family member are a target of the establishment.
OPEN SPACES
Chances are, a pet-friendly place has a patio or outside area for families with animal companions. Fortunately, since the COVID era, many other customers prefer open spaces for health reasons.
DOG & CAT MENUS
If there are Dog and Cat clients, any savvy establishment might want to offer menus for them, too.
This allows families to treat their furry members to a treat or a snack and put them at ease in what can be a chaotic environment for them, while the restaurant earns extra.
Everyone wins.
ON THE OTHER HAND…
EXCITABLE ANIMAL COMPANIONS
Our furry family members can be a bit too excited — this is where family responsibility starts. It helps for Dogs and Cats to be properly socialized to have minimal disruptive habits in public.
After all, we want to share space with others, not all of whom will be as forgiving or even understanding of an animal’s moods and habits.
SCENTS AND SMELLS
Speaking of family responsibility, one should groom furry members of the family before heading out, if only to be understanding of people who may have adverse reactions to unpleasant odors or even shedding hair.
MESSY ACCIDENTS
Messes should be taken care of immediately. Let’s be honest: Establishments worry about this a lot because it affects the experience of other customers.
As responsible family members, we should always be prepared for these particular events.
WORKING TO MEET IN THE MIDDLE
When it comes to the issue of pet-friendly restaurants and how friendly they should be, it’s probably best to also remember that we as multi-species families need to exercise responsibility and sensitivity while various establishments strive better in catering to our market.
On the other hand, the phrase “there ought to be a law” is one that perfectly applies in this situation.
While some limited guidelines for how restaurants can cater to canines in particular can be found in the Animal Welfare Act, it’s probably time to come up with a landmark law for how our furry family members can access public spaces — and how both establishments and families can best work with each other to integrate animals into the community culture and make this the norm.
