"To Retailers With PETS In Their Stores" Topic

I am not allergic to dogs, though I know some people who are.

However, I am very, VERY allergic to cats! I don't have them, I don't visit friends and family that have them, and I don't even shop at pet stores that have them.

During a short lunch break from my work visits, I stopped by a new (to me) hobby retailer in Austin today to buy some Green Stuff. Since it was my first time there, I was looking around at everything, taking it all in.

Fantastic selection, wonderful presentation, and the most friendly staff I have come across in a very long time. I came for one item, but told the staff that I was definitely staying a while and might pick up a lot more.

However, as I was looking at the figures and materials on the walls, I noticed that the back of my throat was feeling somewhat tight. Then my scalp started to itch, as did my arms and hands.

Things got worse quickly. My nose started to run, my throat started to produce an excessive amount of saliva and my eyes started to water, itch and turn red.

A few minutes later, I saw something small running across the floor . . . a cat!

I quickly got what I came for and headed for the register. I felt awkward leaving, since I had just told the staff I was going to look through their inventory for a while.

As I was paying, I told the cashier that I would have to cut my visit short, on account that I was allergic to cats. He said that they vacuum frequently, so I should have nothing to worry about. I replied that all it takes is a single hair (with the cat saliva – which is the problem).

I had to cut my work day short. My throat was already getting tighter and producing foam (yes, foam). As soon as I got the hotel, I took a shower, put all my clothes in a separate bag for the cleaners, and had to take my rescue medications. It will be many hours before I feel normal again.

So . . . I'm not asking you not to have your pets in your store. It's your store, you can bring in whatever makes your day comfortable.

All I am asking is that, if you do choose to have pets in the store with you, that you please put a small sign up front. Doesn't have to sound like a public warning or anything. You can make it sound cute, like "Premises Protected By An Attack Cat", or something (I've actually seen that done in some places). Then it's up the customers to decide if they want to step in or not.

Back in Houston, I have stopped shopping at stores with cats. It is really not worth the down time and the misery that comes from the exposure.

If having pets in your store makes your day more enjoyable, more power to you. Just think of how not posting it may affect the enjoyment of others.

Thank you.

CC

How funny, when I read the title it made me think of the store you undoubtably visited in Austin, then it turns out you were visiting Austin.

They used to have a sign on the door asking you to be careful not to let the cat or dog out (if it IS the same store they have a little Corgi there as well as the cat).

I assume we are both referring to DL

Dave

My wife is very allergic to both dogs and cats. So I know what how bad your experience was. I think pets should remain at home also. My wfie really loves dogs but she can;t be near them.

Dave,

I think it is a fantastic store. I highly recommend it, though I may never be able to enter it again.

CC

I have the same problems – although I now have a cat, so it doesn't bug me as much, I've become acclimated.

Same symptoms and everything – my scalp actually started itching first though. Then Hands and arms, eyes burn and you know the rest.

I found that if I was going to someplace with cats, I could take something like claritin and I'd be OK for the duration.

At least the store was clean. There's a store in my area that has a cat, and it's dishes (usually overflowing), and litterbox are prominantly displayed next to the checkout. The whole premesis stinks of urine & worse. It's disgusting.

I go about once every two years (he has LOTS of hard to find & OOP stuff), and always regret it (not only because of the cat, but the anti-credit card pricing structure).

Oh its no reflection on the quality of the store. Its a great place and I think its one of the oldest game stores in Austin. Happily for gamers , Austin is a gaming Mecca and there are 6 or 7 game stores in and around town including one store that caters solely to historicals. So if the pet policy is an issue for you, there are plenty of other choices in Austin to feed your gaming addiction.

How great is that ?!??

Dave

I'd love to have a job that would let me keep my dog with me.

However … I'm rather amazed that in our tort-happy society, folks still think it's a good idea to let their pet run around in their public business. I have visions of accidental scratching and biting and allergies! I wonder if the insurance carrier for such shop owners is fully informed?

Flintloque,

That's the thing about it. Most places with cats, you can smell the cat litter right away. This place is spotless.

However, like I told the store clerk, all it takes is one hair and that's all she wrote.

CC

I like animals in store, though, I don't have an allergy problem which, no doubt, contributes to my animals-in-stores-is-ok-feeling!

:0

CC

I'm surprised that you didn't smell the little beastie when you walked in the front door. I have the same reactions as you do to cats. Everyone I know keeps getting on my case when I say that I can smell them, but it's true I can always tell when there is one in the building. Also people think that I'm joking when I tell them that I am deathly allergic to cats. That is until they see the full blown reaction and they have to drag me to the ER. I agree with your comment about a sign up front. That way I know I have to be extra careful when I enter.

There is a dog trainer in the same building we are in. We routinely have to ask people to leave their pets outside because of the issues of possible alergies among customers. They say, "But he won't bark or bite." That's not the issue. I have customers that bark and bite, but they don't shed dog hair and dander.

Yeah, I can't stay too long in DL unless I've taken an alergy pill before going over there, which means it has to be a planned trip.

Rob

Any other allergies that can make peoples lives a pain?

"However, as I was looking at the figures and materials on the walls, I noticed that the back of my throat was feeling somewhat tight. Then my scalp started to itch, as did my arms and hands.

Things got worse quickly. My nose started to run, my throat started to produce an excessive amount of saliva and my eyes started to water, itch and turn red."

I get this reaction when I look at GW's prices… :)

Any other allergies that can make peoples lives a pain?

Yep. I'm allergic to many of the carriers in perfumes, colognes, and other scents. People dump the stuff on by the bottleful, apparently, rather than take regular baths and use a simple deodorant. Without due care, even a trip to the grocery store can be unpleasant; you never know when you'll run into one of those scents.

That's another thing that makes me crazy, Neo. My wife regularly has to attend meetings IN HER OWN OFFICE by teleconference due to a couple of overenthusiastic perfume/cologne devotees.

Jeez. Only way I can get my wife to GO to DL in Austin is because she likes to visit the cat.

Don't they have a sign on the door? I seem to remember some kind of sign "Don't Let The Cat out," or something like that…

Horse tack store near me has a pair of Scottish terriers keeping an eye out,and a vintage poster shop owner I know,has his standard-bred poodle guarding the place. Local pawn shop in near my workplace has a cat there,and when I visited there to check some things out,the cat let me pet it. Very cute cat too.

My brother-in-law's pet rabbit nearly killed me last year. I very nearly went into the hospital for that allergy attack, and we ended up driving around for an hour trying to find an open hotel room to stay in.

I am deathly allergic to cats, rabbits, pollen, dust, and probably a variety of other things. If a person or business has an animal I'm allergic to, I just won't associate with them. It's not worth the hassle.

You know now adays they can wonders with people with allergies. I grew up with lots of plant allergies and certain time of the year where just pure terrible. I just grew up expecting them to always be there.

Well I mentioned it to my doctor last year during my physical about having a few allergies and some days I just wake up felling like death. I laughed about it and sayed what can you going to do about, not expecting anything of course. Well he sent me to the ENT guys.

Now I went in thinking, yeah what are these people going to do for me. I am 44 and lived with these allergies all my life. Well they did some bloodwork to find out what my immune system was upset over, put together some drops that I took everyday for a year and guess what. My life is almost a 100% better now. Sure there are some days allergies bother me, but nothing like they used to. I dont wake up in the mornings wanting to blow my brains out to end the pain and misery.

I just urge everyone who has allergies to get your doctor to send you to an ENT. They really can help you now. You shouldnt have to suffer anymore. By the way one of the things I was allergic to was cats, I have three in the house now.

Neotacha,

Interesting you should mention the loads of perfume some people use.

Every time we go grocery shopping, I will go through every isle of the store except for the one with all the laundry detergents, fabric softeners and other cleaning fluids (and the adjacent ones). My wife has to be the one to get what we need from that isle.

We use those products at home, and I don't have a problem helping with the cleaning and laundry, so small amounts are not an issue. However, if I walk into that store isle I get a complete sensory overload (my nose, anyway) and get very intense headaches from just a few seconds of it.

But, at least, they have a HUGE sign overhead to indicate where those products are.

CC

Doug,

I have done extensive allergy tests since a kid. The last one was about 4 years ago.

Some allergies have subsided on their own. However, cats is still a constant one . . . and the absolute worst for me. Of the 40-50 needle pricks you get in the middle of the back, the cat enzime definitely outdid the others by far.

I started on the weekly shots (twice a week at first) too. However, with my travel job, spending a few weeks in a different city or town each time, it is hard to have the regular doses of serum prepared and dispensed.

CC

Some of you sound like you need to carry around an Epi-Pen just in case you run into any kitties…I love stores with animals, and wish I too could take my dog to work. The sign on the door is a great idea, to warn the highly allergic, cuz just because you physically cant be around them doesnt mean you hate the animal in question, nor do you wish to stop everyone else from enjoying the four legged one in the shop. I wonder if those respirators, the ones people use for painting/chemical staining, etc would help? they come with filters and the shop could carry a few to loan out….I'm kidding, these places should also have a web-site for the peeps who cant enter the place.

"Some of you sound like you need to carry around an Epi-Pen just in case you run into any kitties…"

I do have and use rescue meds. But, to avoid using it too often (it is not too healthy or cheap to use constantly), I also avoid visiting enclosed places (stores, homes, etc.) that have cats.

"Epi-Pens" and the like are a last resort. Avoiding the situation should be the first resort.

CC

A place of business is not a place for animals. The constant smell alone will drive off customers. The libility issues on hinderance lawsuits and other safety concerns would be a deterant.

Some insurance companies will not cover you if you allow pets into the store.

I've been to many shops with store mascotts i.e. 4 legged ones but only once did one smell bad. If ya arent selling food I dont see the big deal. And for the record I too am allergic to cats and dogs, but not bad enough to not own a few. Didnt have the allergy until years after I got 'em. Thought about getting shots over getting rid of the animals, lucky a small dose of allegra does to trick.

I was actually looking at the cost of doing business with insurance and possible lawsuits rather than the smell.

"And for the record I too am allergic to cats and dogs, but not bad enough to not own a few. Didnt have the allergy until years after I got 'em. Thought about getting shots over getting rid of the animals, lucky a small dose of allegra does to trick."

Just like there are migrains, and then there are REAL MIGRAINES . . . there are allergies, and then there are REAL ALLERGIES.

Consider yourself lucky. For your sake, I hope they don't worsen.

CC

If having an allergy attack is breaking out in hives and asthma, then I have a real allergy. I'm also allergic to other stuff so the meds I take seem to quell the animal ones too. Thank goodness! If they got worse I would be getting shots for sure.

CC,

When you have a constricting throat you have crossed over from allergyreaction to anaphylaxis. You need to have your Epi-Pen on you.

Scenario: Cat lover fondles her pets before leaving to go to the bank. You go banking and touch bank door handle seconds after she does. Before you see the teller you rub your eyes. Uh-uh.

I'd revisit the store, sounds like a good one, but take a Clariten first.

Ralph

I've read of one big-time DC law firm who have several therpy rabbits, well-groomed nd well cared for, hopping around their waiting room. The partners feel relaxed clients make better clients.

We have a year old Golden Retriever and a sign on the front and rear door to inform customers that there is a "Security Dog at Work".
As far as liability is concerned.
I checked into this a few months ago with my insurance carrier and I was informed that it's covered under our home owner or apartment insurance.
We've had mixed reviews regarding having a dog in the store, but for the most part. We've received positive feedback.
Having Buddy in the store helps when there is a family coming in to shop.
Mom and the sibling/s get to play with the dog while Dad and his boy shop and without the other family members asking: "are you done yet" or "can we go now"?
I know that I may have lost a few customers, but I also know that I can't please everyone.

Maybe try taking a double dose of the strongest anti-allergy pills (like 24-hr Reactine, that my allergist and doctors suggested) the night or morning before going to the store? (Seeing as you like the store.) Would a surgical mask help too?

Flintloque
I go about once every two years (he has LOTS of hard to find & OOP stuff),
_____________________________

Say, I notice you are from illinios, where is this store?

There's a horse tack store near me. Owner keeps Scotties in there. Cute dogs.

If I had it to do over again,I'd keep the non-humans in the back with no chance of them getting into our work or their dander getting near our visitors.

We wouldn't have had pets there except our blue kitten had to be hand-raised.

He lost roaming privileges about the time he pooped in the bathroom sink instead of his litter box.

(Ughhh!!!)

The critters insist that I hold humans to the standards they had to follow:

No snarling.

No biting.

No food or drink on the floor,tables or merchandise.

No mauling the books or terrain.

No taking naps in the middle of the battlefield.

No humping in public.

Bathe at least once a month (three days before topical flea treatments).

Assume other beings have sense until proven otherwise.

Share your food,games,toys,comfortable spots and favorite
people to play with with those folks who don't need to be torn to shreds.

I think if a little courtesy and reason were applied,all parties could inhabit game stores comfortably.

…no humping in public?

Awww.

Well, they've lost MY business…….

It makes the humpless jealous.