Dogs have long been referred to as man’s best friend, and many dog owners would prefer to have their best friend with them all the time.
Many national and local stores are beginning to allow dogs into their businesses without requiring them to be a registered service animal. Abercrombie & Fitch, Michaels, Sephora, Bath and Body Works, Macy’s, Barnes & Noble, GAP, and even the Apple Store are now officially pet friendly, though more broadly each location is still at the discretion of the manager.
According to a Gallup poll, 44 percent of Americans are dog owners, and when applied to Salt Lake Community College this equates to over 14,000 hypothetical student dog owners. Dog sitters and dog boarding can be expensive, so being able to take your dog on errands with you is a nice alternative.
“I don’t think I would go shopping as much if I wasn’t able to bring my dog to the mall with me,” says Nina Dunham, a local dog owner. “It’s so much easier to not have to worry about leaving my dog home alone,”
If you’re looking to bring your dog along with you for a meal, Salt Lake City has a variety of restaurants with dog-friendly patios. Your dog can join you for dinner or a drink at Em’s Restaurant, Spitz SLC, Wasatch Brew Pub, Coffee Garden, Pig & A Jelly Jar, Café on 1st, Even Stevens, Raw Bean Coffee, Atlantic Café, Penny Ann’s Café, and Toasters, to name a few. Most drive-thru coffee shops also have treats for dogs that are riding along with you when you pick up coffee, including Starbucks’s famed Puppuccino.
Every fall in Salt Lake City, the Best Friends Animal Society hosts the Strut Your Mutt dog walk and festival. Strut your Mutt is also a fundraiser that helps save the lives of homeless dogs and cats. You can have fun with your dog while doing good for other dogs.
Not every activity in Salt Lake City is canine friendly, but if you look hard, options are available. Taking your dog with you to eat, shop or play is a great alternative to leaving your dog at home alone.
