fur-bulous hangouts

One thing that sparks our envy when we travel abroad: the sight of dog owners with furkids in tow. “In France and Switzerland, pets are allowed into malls and restaurants—no questions asked,” observes Shannon Loh, paw-rent of a Golden Retriever. “In Singapore, there’re only a handful of pet-friendly cafes and not many restaurants allow dogs, even in the outdoor area.” It’s a sentiment that’s echoed by many dog owners. Hence, we dig a little deeper to find out the challenges behind making Singapore’s F&B scene more pet-friendly.

In order for an F&B establishment to legitimately accommodate furkids (both indoors and/or outdoors), the National Environment Agency (NEA) requires eateries to apply for a Food Shop (Pets Allowed) Licence, which costs $195 a year. “The application process was not easy as we had to make sure all our food handlers underwent a basic hygiene course. Additionally, our kitchen design needed to adhere to NEA regulations,”