Reform of Food Safety Regulations to Allow Dog-Friendly Indoor Hospitality Venues
The issue
Give Businesses the Choice to Welcome Dogs Indoors
Why this matters
Australians love their dogs. For many of us, dogs are family members, companions, and an important part of our daily lives.
Yet under current food safety regulations, many hospitality businesses are prevented from allowing dogs in indoor customer areas, even when they are willing and able to manage any associated risks responsibly.
This isn't about forcing every café, restaurant, brewery, or venue to allow dogs.
It's about giving businesses the freedom to choose.
Many businesses already manage a wide range of risks every day. They manage allergens, hot food and drinks, slips and falls, customer behaviour, accessibility requirements, and workplace safety obligations. There is no reason they should not also be trusted to decide whether well-behaved dogs can be welcomed into designated indoor customer areas.
Current regulations rely on blanket restrictions rather than sensible, risk-based decision making.
We are calling on the Western Australian Government and food safety regulators to modernise these rules and allow businesses to determine what works best for their customers and their premises.
We are asking for:
A review of current food safety regulations relating to dogs in hospitality venues.
The ability for businesses to choose whether to allow dogs in designated indoor customer areas.
Continued restrictions preventing dogs from entering food preparation and storage areas.
Practical risk management requirements instead of blanket bans.
The right for businesses to remain dog-free if they choose.
Why sign?
This petition supports:
Greater choice for customers.
More flexibility for small businesses.
Stronger local economies and tourism.
A modern, practical approach to risk management.
Communities that recognise the positive role dogs play in our lives.
No business should be forced to allow dogs.
No customer should be forced to visit a dog-friendly venue.
But businesses should have the freedom to decide for themselves.
If you believe in supporting local businesses, customer choice, and a more dog-friendly Australia, please sign and share this petition.
199
The issue
Give Businesses the Choice to Welcome Dogs Indoors
Why this matters
Australians love their dogs. For many of us, dogs are family members, companions, and an important part of our daily lives.
Yet under current food safety regulations, many hospitality businesses are prevented from allowing dogs in indoor customer areas, even when they are willing and able to manage any associated risks responsibly.
This isn't about forcing every café, restaurant, brewery, or venue to allow dogs.
It's about giving businesses the freedom to choose.
Many businesses already manage a wide range of risks every day. They manage allergens, hot food and drinks, slips and falls, customer behaviour, accessibility requirements, and workplace safety obligations. There is no reason they should not also be trusted to decide whether well-behaved dogs can be welcomed into designated indoor customer areas.
Current regulations rely on blanket restrictions rather than sensible, risk-based decision making.
We are calling on the Western Australian Government and food safety regulators to modernise these rules and allow businesses to determine what works best for their customers and their premises.
We are asking for:
A review of current food safety regulations relating to dogs in hospitality venues.
The ability for businesses to choose whether to allow dogs in designated indoor customer areas.
Continued restrictions preventing dogs from entering food preparation and storage areas.
Practical risk management requirements instead of blanket bans.
The right for businesses to remain dog-free if they choose.
Why sign?
This petition supports:
Greater choice for customers.
More flexibility for small businesses.
Stronger local economies and tourism.
A modern, practical approach to risk management.
Communities that recognise the positive role dogs play in our lives.
No business should be forced to allow dogs.
No customer should be forced to visit a dog-friendly venue.
But businesses should have the freedom to decide for themselves.
If you believe in supporting local businesses, customer choice, and a more dog-friendly Australia, please sign and share this petition.
The Decision Makers
Petition Updates
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Petition created on 4 June 2026