When it’s hot, these Kelowna businesses give dogs a break

KELOWNA – Customers and staff of close to 30 local businesses have added their names to a growing list of Kelowna stores welcoming dogs in from the heat.

Last week, the Kelowna SPCA released the start of a list of local businesses they confirmed allow you to bring your dog inside. Since the story ran on Friday, July 14, animal lovers across the Okanagan pointed out dozens more.

Kelowna branch manager Sean Hogan says inside is the safest place for an animal when it’s hot, but recognition is owed to businesses who let dogs cool off inside when that's not possible.

Based on readers' comments, here is the updated list of local businesses:

• Art Knapp Plantland
• Blackfish apparel
• Bliss Esthetics 
• Brick
• Buckerfields
• Bylands Garden Centre in West Kelowna
• Canadian Tire

• Canoe Coffee Roasters
• Chainline Cycle
• Cottage Quilting
• Cyclepath Kelowna
• Dockside Marine Centre
• Great Canadian Dollarstore
• Hager Orthopaedic Clinics
• Home Hardware Kelowna
• Home Sense
• Jysk

• Kelowna Cycle
• Lee Valley Tools
• Lululemon on Bernard Avenue
• Mark's
• Marshalls
• Michaels
• Only Deals
• One Boardshop
• Orchard Ford
• Okanagan coLab
• OK Corral Cold Beer and Wine Store
• Orthoquest Pedorthics

• Picture Perfect
• Pharmasave at Mission Mall
• Prospera Credit Union
• Raw Athletics
• Real Deals
• Rona Kelowna
• Staples Kelowna
• Savoy Equipment
• Shawanda Crystal & Rock
• Winners

Cedar Creek Estate Winery, Summerhill Pyramid Winery, House of Rose Winery, The Hatch Winery and Tantalus Vineyards also have all confirmed dogs are welcome.

Although many local restaurants open their patios to dogs during summertime, Hogan says leaving your dog on hot pavement is not a safe alternative. 

“It is not necessarily better welfare for a dog to be sitting tied up in the sun,” Hogan warns.

If you know of a pet-friendly local business in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country or Peachland, throw them a bone in the comments section below.

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