Fido Factor Helps American Dogs Live Like Europeans

European dogs have long had an advantage over their American counterparts when it comes to being weaved into the daily lives of their owners. In countries such as France, Germany and Austria it is commonplace to see dogs sitting in restaurants, pubs, or even hair salons. But in the U.S. most people do not take their dogs along with them to these establishments.

When animal-lover Justin O’Neill moved to the dog friendly city of San Francisco, he was impressed with the number of dogs who accompanied their guardians on errands or to restaurants. But he noticed that most of the time, the dogs were tied up to a parking meter outside the business while their humans completed whatever transaction they needed to do.

This practice bothered O’Neill who was worried about the safety of the dogs. So he began asking the store owners if dogs were welcome and much to his surprise an overwhelming majority of business owners told him yes. Apparently most Bay Area residents just assumed their dogs couldn’t join them.

This revelation sparked a business idea called Fido Factor that may finally have American dogs living like they were Europeans.

Fido Factor is a coordinated guide to dog friendly locations that lists everything from restaurants to retail stores to attractions. Dog owners browse through the guide on their computers or on cell phones to find the perfect business in their local neighborhoods. The original project, which launched in June 2009, has become so popular in the Bay Area that it now lists more than 720 dog friendly businesses.

Just recently the service expanded for dog lovers in: Boston, Portland and New York City.

One of the most interesting aspects of Fido Factor, that I applaud, is their dedication to the safety and well-being of the dogs in the cities they serve. In San Francisco they have affiliated themselves with the local SPCA. Fido Factor makes a donation every time a viewer adds a new dog-friendly business to the guide or when someone has submitted a review critiquing an existing business.

Fido Factor also lists instructional information for “keeping dogs safe” when they are out and about in the city. They include: City Basics, Tying Your Dog Out and Keeping Small Dogs Safe. They even have a component where visitors can have their dog-related questions answered by an animal behaviorist.

Maybe with services like Fido Factor, American dogs will finally be as welcome in society as their European counterparts.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Carol H.

7:24AM PST on Nov 2, 2009

If your dog is kept very clean and they are friendly there is no reason why they can't go in more public places I have seen humans that shouldn't be allowed in public places.

send a green star

Judith g.

1:15PM PST on Nov 1, 2009

Europeans are much more enlightened than Americans when it comes to caring for animals. we are relatively primitive sorry to say. I've been all over Europe and have seen animals everywhere including shops, restaurants etc. As for allergies? Guess Europeans are taking their Claritan or else the whole allergy thing is a convenient excuse to be uptight.

Ariadne C.

7:00PM PDT on Oct 28, 2009

This is not all the way true here. Most dogs that you see outside restaurants are sick, homeless and starving. Most of these animals live horrific lives and I can not believe you are comparing American dogs to European dogs. Are you kidding me??? I want places to be animal friendly. My dog is my baby and I would love to take him everywhere. Maybe something else can be written on this without comparing Fido in Europe. Or maybe something can be written on how animals actually live in Europe.

sheila F.

7:43AM PDT on Oct 25, 2009

When my daughter and I visited Asheville we were happy to see dogs and/or cats in some of the stores. We missed our animals. As long as the dogs are trained in basic manners I see no problem with taking them every where. Especially one like my Lhasa mix.

Elsa G.

6:17PM PDT on Oct 24, 2009

I thought service dog were allowed everywhere? they are where I live and it is illegal to deny them entry.

Jessica H.

9:39AM PDT on Oct 24, 2009

Its about time....Thank You.

Merryl G.

7:36AM PDT on Oct 24, 2009

I would rather share my space with a dog than most humans.

Karin N.

9:43PM PDT on Oct 23, 2009

Here in Perth, Australia, dogs are not even allowed on public transport or taxis. I wonder how do people without a car take their pets to the vet? Or to the beach? or any other nice place out of walking distance? In Switzerland dogs are allowed on public transport on a children's fare, I hope that one day this happens here! I've often said that my dog would love living in Europe where she could come with me most places I go, it's always sad to leave her home alone.

clara H.

8:24PM PDT on Oct 22, 2009

I love animals but what about people with servere pet alliergies are they not intitled to live without sneezing. I don't think it's too good an idea until people here learn to take care of their pets better.

Paula P.

5:34PM PDT on Oct 22, 2009

Before I would comment on allowing dogs in public establishments I would like to address the problem of renting a place to live if you have a pet-in Florida where I currently live-in order to buy a condo, live in an over 55 community-renting or buying you cannot have any pets at all-Seniors like myself derive great comfort and companionship from our pets and I don't understand why we are not permitted to have one in our own homes-condo rules prohibit them, HOA developments prohibit them, landlords do not accept them anywhere in this area-when I lived in Homestead I had no trouble renting with my pets, but here in Palm Beach County there is no where that I may rent or buy unless it is a single family house in an older neighborhood which is not gated, patrolled or otherwise restricted which is just fine by me except that there are no apartments or homes in those areas that I can afford. Yes I like the fact that this town has a dog park-I like that outside restaurants permit dogs-but I wonder where those dog owners live since I can't find a place that will allow mine.