Move over felines…there’s some competition in the cafe business. Looks like someone let the dogs out in the Los Angeles Silver Lake neighborhood where The Dog Cafe recently opened and where you can pet pups and get your caffeine fix at the same time. Local resident Sarah Wolfgang (no pun intended, that’s really her name) was inspired by animal cafes she noticed when she lived in South Korea for a number of years. In the Korean version, the dogs were originally from puppy mills and in her cafe, the dogs will come from shelters.
The Dog Cafe the first of its kind in the country, will focus on rescuing dogs from nearby shelters and they will be separated according to age and personality. Employees trained in dog body language and behavior will be on hand to observe interactions. You can sip a variety of coffee, tea or flavored lemonades and spend time with the dogs in the separate dog lounge area away from the stress of an overcrowded shelter. All the dogs will be available for adoption. According to the cafe’s website, they are focused on “rescuing dogs who have been at the shelter the longest due to health or behavioral issues and are at the highest risk of being euthanized.” Ms. Wolfgang compares it to drinking your Starbucks at a kennel. Health department regulations require separating the service area from the dog area and no food will be served. Other safety restrictions include no children under 8 are permitted and an adult must accompany all children. A merchandise area is also a part of the cafe.
The logic behind this new concept in rescues being these dogs are socialized in a less stressful setting while potential owners get a feel for the dog’s personality. The website says, “We want to provide you with the opportunity to see these pooches in their true light.” For patrons unable to adopt a pup, they still can receive all the puppy kisses they want. Coffee served at the cafe comes from Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co., a Fair Trade organic coffee company who donates a portion of its profits to rescue organizations.
Many areas around the country have cat cafes, in fact there is one in the trendy Tennyson District a few blocks away. Now there is at least one dog cafe and hopefully more will spring up around the country to give our canine buddies one more opportunity of finding their own fur-ever loving homes.
Would you support a dog cafe? Lattes and laps seems like a pawsome idea to Sam and me.🐾
Live, love, bark! <3
What a cool concept!
LOVE this idea!
No kidding…what could be better? P.S. Many thanks for boosting the stats for us today! <3
This dog cafe sounds great and I’d love to see them replace certain pubs in Australia where human animals hang out. Not all pubs are bad but I don’t like being around that sort of thing anymore. Must be getting old! xx Rowena
Funny how that happens! 😉 Personally I think the energy would be more appealing at a dog cafe than a pub, no game playing (unless you count tossing a ball), no pretenses.
Definitely! What you see is what you get!
Would love a dog cafe.
There is a tire store in my town that rescues cats. There are signs on the doors, don’t let the cats out! It’s nice to see people finding innovative ways to save animals.
That’s outstanding! We love creative ways to find fur-ever homes for pets. 🙂
Such an awesome idea!
What a wonderful idea!! We hope it is a success and catches on across the country!
We do too!
That is worth a trip to L.A. I love the coffee art. ♥
On the opposite end of the city but I will try and go to have a look. Such a great idea.
When I saw the story I thought of you.
As long as the dogs are not stressed it looks like a great idea.
I would think the smaller numbers away from all that incessant barking and howling would be much less stressful.
Yes, you’re right.
Absolutely Sam!! It works for me. It’s a great idea.
Love this! Apparently in Tokyo you can also go to rabbit cafes and hang out with bunnies!
How fun would that be?! 🐇
of course we would :o) and the mama would like to sit there with a coffee and a pup :o)
I would love to do that EVERY day, Easy!
Oh yes, a dog cafe would be pawfect!
Your Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Can you bring your own dog with you? It’s important to observe how a prospective dog interacts with dog(s) who are already in the family.
Good point, not sure about that but it totally makes good sense.
I really hope its successful! Way too many dogs need rescuing. ❤️
Me too! And any way that showcases them more favorably is all the better.
Yes it is.