The covid-19 has positively shifted people’s perception and attitudes of dogs as working from home signified the importance of responsible dog ownership. Now, there’s a new push in Australia to allow our pets into shops, restaurants, and hotels. It follows on from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) decision to allow pets on flights back in June.
I think it is safe to say that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on everyone. However, in the midst of the storm, there have been some rays of sunshine peeking through the clouds. For example, the lockdowns and working from home resulted in more people spending time to bond with their family and their pets. As a result of this, Australians are becoming more responsible dog owners and looking after their pets better.
Dogs have always been Australia’s favourite pet. Over 3.8 million households own a dog, followed by cats (2.6 million) and fishes (1.1 million). However, unlike Europeans and Americans, most Australians still consider dogs and cats as their pet, and not a part of the family. In Europe and the US, dogs live inside with their owners, they are allowed to go to shops and cafes, and they are even allowed to stay in hotels with their owners. These normally don’t happen in Australia, where most dogs live outside the house.
Australian Restrictions
Currently, the laws in Australia restrict where owners are allowed to take their pets. The local councils are responsible for enforcing the no-go zones at most parks and beaches. Failure to comply often means a hefty fine. Additionally, dogs are required to be on a leash in public unless they are in a designated area where dogs are allowed to be off-leash.
Dogs are allowed to be at restaurants and cafes but only in non-enclosed, outdoor areas. However, it’s ultimately up to the owner of the business to decide if dogs are allowed on their premises.

Should dogs and other pets be allowed into shops, restaurants, and cafes?
However, the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdowns have changed people’s attitudes towards dogs for the better. Since the pandemic began, people have paid more attention to their pets than ever before. They have become more interested in the lives of their best little friends. As such, questions have arisen about the possibility of allowing dogs on public transport, and in cafes and restaurants.
A New Movement
Earlier this year, Australia’s civil aviation authority (CASA) decided to relax its ban on animals inside the cabin of the plane from December 2. Currently, only service dogs are allowed to travel in the cabin. All other animals have to travel in the cargo hold.
However, the new rules let individual airlines choose whether they want to allow pets to travel in the cabin of their planes. Qantas and its subsidiary airline Jetstar have both ruled out the possibility of having pets in the cabin. Virgin Australia is still undecided on the matter.
While CASA has relaxed the rules and regulations regarding pets in plane cabins, they also strongly recommend that the airlines consider what they need before adopting the new rules. Some factors that airlines would need to consider include: how the animals would be constrained, their reactions to a new environment, their reactions to new people, and how their waste would be contained.
Should pets be allowed into shops and restaurants?
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