Dog-friendly Pub Awards launched at a Bermondsey pub
BY TOBY PORTER
toby@slpmedia.co.uk
Sometimes dogs get hounded out of pubs. But an increasing number are pawsing for thought.
The fur might occasionally fly, or they might wolf down some of the grub, but our four-legged friends can lead to a better atmosphere in a hostelry.
So this year’s third Dog-friendly Pub Awards were launched at a Bermondsey pub last month.
DogBuddy, a think-tank dedicated to finding out what mutts like in an inn, offered them a choice between tasty treats, pawsome playthings or just a good ol’ bowl of doggy beer.
The event, held at dog-friendly The Woolpack in Bermondsey Street, welcomed all kinds of pups to test some of the fun and essential components of a truly dog-friendly pub.
DogBuddy created five different testing stations for the dogs to decide which aspects they each enjoyed the most – treat testing, dog bed testing, doggy beer testing, dog bowl testing and toy testing.
Lisa Hens, Senior Scientific Officer at the RSPCA, who is one of the judges of the Dog-friendly Pub Awards, said: “It’s great to see establishments considering the needs of the dogs that might visit them and the Dog-friendly Pub Awards is a brilliant way to recognise this.
“Whilst letting dogs decide what they want from a pub in the ‘Think Tank’ is all just a bit of fun, it is important to consider the well-being of dogs in a busy, sometimes crowded environment such as a pub, and to ensure that all their needs are catered for whilst there.”
Richard Setterwall, chief executive and founder of DogBuddy, said: “With the launch of the 2018 Dog-friendly Pub Awards, DogBuddy is encouraging pubs across the country to embrace ‘paw power’ and welcome not just two, but four-legged customers as well.
Not only will the awards show some well-deserved appreciation of existing dog-friendly establishments, but they also aim to promote dog-friendly values across all pubs nationwide, inspiring dog owners in the UK to discover and visit their local pubs.”
Voting closes on Sunday, October 28 and winners will be announced on Friday, November 9.
Anyone can vote for their favourite dog-friendly pub by visiting dogbuddypubs.com.
For every vote received in the Dog-friendly Pub Awards, DogBuddy will also donate 50p to the RSPCA who rescue, rehabilitate and rehome thousands of dogs every year.