Dog-friendly directory launches

Monday 30 October 2017

A new online directory has launched in Jersey compiling dog-friendly addresses, including bars, restaurants, hotels and shops, so you don't have to leave your pooch at home when you go out.

Hannah Maden-Adams, founder of WhizzDog.com put together the list of over 150 addresses where the island's 8,500 dogs are welcome, as well as 32 businesses made just for them.

She was inspired to launch WhizzDog by her miniature Cockerpoo, Poppy, "who grins and bears being left home alone once in a blue moon. She actually just wants to be with me all the time. And that’s what I want too, because the truth be told, I hate it when I have to leave her at home alone as she’s my right hand pup." 

"Upon talking to fellow dog owners out on our daily walks, I realised Poppy and I weren’t alone in hating leaving her at home. I knew there were at least a handful of dog-friendly places, and thought it would be helpful to have somewhere to check out where you can take your dog. It started off with a Word document, and grew into a fully fledged directory website. And then I thought, why stop at Jersey? I found myself contacting businesses in Guernsey, Herm, Alderney and Sark."

Hannah's research showed that 30% of all bars, restaurants and pubs, as well as 30% of hotels in Jersey welcome well-behaved dogs in their establishments. "That almost gives the Island’s dog-loving demographic enough choice for a different meal out with their four-legged friend each week of the year!" says Hannah.

Pictured: Hannah Maden-Adams and Poppy shopping the day away at De Gruchy. 

In addition dog-owning shoppers will be happy to know that they won't have to choose between doing their Christmas shopping and spending time with their pup. The directory lists the addresses of 19 dog-friendly shops, which includes Voisins, de Gruchy, White Stuff and Ransom's Garden Centre among others. For doggy needs, Hannah has also listed all the pet shops on the island so that owners know where to find tasty treats, cosy beds and squeaky toys, as well as dog walkers and pet sitters. 

She has also thought about dog-owning holiday makers and found 22 hotels as well as 14 self-catering properties welcoming furry friends. She says: "This gives holiday-makers and visitors plenty of choice with establishments ranging from 1 star right through to 5 stars. Great for travellers on a budget or wishing to spend that little bit extra."

With 20% of Jersey households owning a dog, Hannah hopes whizzdog.com will help visitors and locals alike search through hundreds of dog-friendly places and doggy services in the Channel Islands, so they can plan entire days out or even weeks’ off with their dog, without having to leave them behind.

As for the businesses who have yet to welcome dogs, Hannah, who will soon add UK and French addresses to Whizzdog, says there is a huge potential customer-base. "A recent Samsung survey (2015) found that 9 out of 10 dog owners consider their dog a fully fledged member of the family - with this in mind, why would we want to leave our best four-legged friend at home? As long as dogs aren't going into the kitchen or food preparation areas, and they are trained and well-behaved, then there shouldn't be hygiene or behavioural issues."