ABOUT US
About Tails & Ales.
Tails & Ales is a national accreditation scheme designed to set a clear, consistent, and practical standard for welcoming dogs into pubs, bars, cafés, and restaurants across the UK. As dogs increasingly become part of everyday social life, more public establishments are choosing to allow dogs on their premises. However, while demand has grown rapidly, there is currently no nationally recognised standard that addresses how dogs should be accommodated in a way that is safe, hygienic, and comfortable for everyone involved. Tails & Ales exists to fill that gap.
What the Accreditation Aims to Achieve...
Establish a national standard for dog-friendly public establishments
Promote safe, controlled, and well-managed environments
Protect the welfare of dogs while ensuring the comfort of all customers
Support venues with clear, achievable guidance
Reduce risk, incidents, and misunderstandings
Build public trust in dog-friendly venues
Accreditation is evidence-based and focuses on real-world, practical controls rather than unrealistic or restrictive rules.
Why the Accreditation Is Needed...
The rise in dog-friendly venues has brought many benefits, but it has also highlighted challenges:
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Inconsistent rules between venues
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Unclear expectations for dog owners
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Concerns around hygiene, safety, and liability
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Discomfort for customers who may not wish to be seated near dogs
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Staff left without clear guidance on how to manage dog-related situations
Our Mission...
To create safer, more inclusive public spaces where dogs, owners, customers, and staff can coexist comfortably and responsibly. Tails & Ales is committed to improving standards across the hospitality sector by promoting responsible dog ownership, thoughtful venue design, and clear operational policies.
Our Core Aims...
🐾 Protect Animal Welfare
Ensuring dogs are welcomed into environments that are calm, safe, and suitable for them, with access to water, rest areas, and appropriate supervision.
🏢 Support Businesses
Helping venues operate compliantly, reduce liability concerns, and demonstrate professionalism through a recognised accreditation. Without a clear framework, venues are left to make individual decisions, often without support, structure, or reassurance. Tails & Ales provides a national benchmark, giving venues, customers, and dog owners confidence that clear standards are being met.
👥 Protect Customers & Staff
Providing clear information, designated spaces, and sensible controls so that all customers, including those without dogs, feel comfortable and respected, while also giving teams clear guidance, training, and procedures so they can confidently manage dog-friendly spaces without unnecessary risk or uncertainty.