As an individual who has personally faced the loss of treasured four-legged family members to unfortunate accidents outdoors, I want to stress the need for local stores to be more inclusive and considerate of dog owners. It is common for us, dog owners, to experience anxiety when bringing our dogs to local stores - the simple act of ensuring they are safe while we shop can quickly become a considerable challenge.

I recall a recent incident when one of my dogs managed to pull loose and almost got run over - all due to the inconvenience of needing to tether and untether her at the storefront. This situation is made more complicated by animals being animals - as much as we may train them, distractions from a bird or a cat can disrupt that training.

This petition therefore asks for local businesses to consider including wall hooks that close for dogs outside  stores, where they can safely stay wait for their owners. This tweak in policy could transform the shopping experience for thousands of pet owners, decrease the risks dogs face getting lost or hurt and ultimately, contribute to overall pet safety. 

A study conducted by National Pet Owners Survey in 2019-2020, indicates that 57% of U.K households, or about 60 million families, own a pet. A notable percentage of these consists of dog owners, indicating the significance of this issue. 

Many children grow up with their pets, losing a beloved family member so brutally, is so traumatising for them especially. 

Our dogs are more than pets, they're family. Let's make businesses more inclusive for our four-legged family members. Please sign this petition and urge local establishments to become more dog-friendly.