Pet Stores - are a given. 

I am very political about this - Pet stores make their living from pet owners - they wouldn't stay in business if it wasn't for us - and yet some of them won't let us bring our canine life companions in with us when we go in their store to spend our hard earned cash in their facility?  I don't think so!  If I can't take my dog in with me - I am not going to go in there - period!  Even if I don't have my dog with me - I'm not going to go! 

When you talk to the owners they always have some sob stories "we have expensive items down at floor level that are always getting peed on...our store dog is always off leash running around in the store....dogs are always coming in and peeing on everything.....we have carpet in the store...." blah blah blah - well to me - those are just excuses that they think the public is going to buy because they got into the dog business because they thought they could make money - not because they actually LIKED DOGS.  If you have expensive items at floor level - PICK THEM UP! 

I have a whole page of tips on this website called "Tips for owners of dog friendly businesses" - business owners can read that page. 

I have talked to too many owners of un-dog friendly businesses now that I haven't heard all of the excuses and I can tell you - they're all bullshit.  If they want my money - they had better let me bring Buttercup, or Charlie in with me.  And that's that.  And you should stand up and agree - because that's the only way they're going to listen - with our hard earned dollar. 

Don't spend one red cent in any of our local "pet boutiques"  until you can bring the animal that you are buying that product for - in with you.  Period.  There.  I've said it.  Now - on to the fabulous stores that you CAN bring the best thing in your life in shopping with you! haha!  

Pet Boutiques have sprouted up throughout the city - on Doyle Street in downtown Halifax a "Bark and Fitz" has been open for years - it is an AWESOME store - there's tons of treats along with lots of froo froo coats and collars and stuff.  I've talked a lot about them on my blog - they are great, their owner Christine Greening is great - super philanthopic - I can't say enough about the store.

A place definitely worth checking out!   The Doggy Bakery Treatery has opened up in Enfield and is owned by long time lab rescuer Trish Pittman - this is what they say on their website - "The Doggy Bag Treatery is the home baked treat store for your pets. We make all natural treats for dogs, cats and horses. Our bakery is on site and you can come on in to see what we are making for your furry loved ones each day. Bring your furkid in for a visit, buy a treat and, sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee on us" - now that sounds GREAT to me - and worth the drive!!!  

Three Dog Bakery has opened up over in Dartmouth Crossing - they're a franchise business that's spread all across the States, they are located at 22 Logiealmond Close in Dartmouth Crossing, and their phone number is 902-405-3364   - and what a great tag line - "in a perfect doggie world, everything would be edible!"  that is great!

Then of course you have Global Pets - they're in Bayer's Lake and Woodlawn Mall in Dartmouth, and now out on the Bedford Commons out in Bedford - they sell tons of healthy type kibble food.  And of course all of the stores that I've mentioned do NOT sell any live animals - which is of course requisite for shopping at any type of pet store.  

Ruffins out in Bedford has new owners, and even though they are in a mall - they are dog friendly. They are a little weird because they do sell some types of animals - I forget which at the moment - they're in the Bedford Place mall, but they are working very hard to please their customers.  

Petcetera out in the megolithic Dartmouth Crossing is a bit iffy - they sell rats and fish too - I have had pet rats so I consider them a live animal - they are very close to being a "Pet's Unlimited" as far as I'm concerned - I don't know if I'd recommend them as a place to shop - there's enough other places to go now that you don't really need to shop at those types of places anymore, really - and the food they sell is shit.  I had an email from a dog owner and his dogs Taz and Thunder though who still think that Petcetera is still worthwhile because of the fact that they are so dog friendly and the fact that they don't sell dogs or cats and that they have an adoption program with a local rescue organization - and their prices for dog supplies are way cheaper than other places.  So there's good and bad to every place - but just make sure you DON'T GO to Pet's Unlimited! haha!   I also take the dogs into non-dog type petstores - like Aqua Creations on Quinpool Road.  The dogs get a little freaked out by the aquariam noises though.  And probably Charlie gets hungry because a couple months ago he ate a whole container of fish flake food, so I think he's developed a taste for it!  

In a completely different spot in the city - Ted's Tack shop un on Oxford Street in Halifax - they sell mostly horse stuff, but they've also got quite a bit of dog stuff too, including some dog coats which are quite nice!  

Another horsey type store that’s dog friendly is “Tack it Up” which is out in Bayer’s lake on Chain Link Drive – I had an email from Katherine who said that the owners are dog owners and dog lovers – now if only I could get Charlie and the rest of my dogs to not want to chase horses whenever we see them at the beach!!!  

Sandra emailed me to say that Brenda's Dog Dudz out on Sackville Drive in Lower Sackville is dog friendly - and that most of the items that Brenda sells are hand made - leashes, collars, coats - so that's awesome!  I remember her products as only being available on the web, so the fact that she has a retail store now is super!!  She still has a website though at http://brendasdogdudzboutique.piczo.com/?cr=4 so you can check everything out before you go.

Some other pages on this site!

Why this website exists

What to do when your dog isn't dog friendly

Tips for owners of dog friendly businesses

Local fun things to do with your dog!

Is your dog dog friendly?

Tips for a benevolent alpha