Citizen Canine Dog Forum

[pupncup]

Ok dog folks I know we are the new guys on the forum and I apologise in advance for coming on board with a request for help but hey I know dog people stick together in this town!
The Pup N Cup Doggie Boutique Cafe is a place that is made for dog owners and their friends! We feel it is wrong that someone has to tie a family member to a post outside a coffeshop, many times in the rain etc, in order to meet another friend for coffee!
Our concept is simple ...a speciality dog boutique that offers it's patrons an opportunity to sit with their canine friends in a warm friendly enviroment and enjoy a coffee or tea. We offer many services for your furry friend including massage, acupunture, nutritional consultation, seminars and info sessions, and a self serve dog treat bar unlike anything Victoria has ever seen!
After being granted a business licence by the city of Victoria we opened our doors on the 1st of August. The next day Russ Francis blurbed about us in Monday and we promptly got a visit from Maxine Marchansky the CHIEF health inspector for VIHA...Before even seeing our place she was calling to inform us that we couldn't do what Russ said we were doing! She made an appointment to see our place and as she came through our door she said, "Oh no way this looks too much like a cafe", and" Do you know how many people have tried to get away with this? Your not going to get away with it either"!
We are still wondering what it is that we 'are trying to get away with'..it seems that the bylaw states that their should be no animals in a food space..but we don't do human food of any kind..only coffee from a fully automated, self cleaning coffee machine.
We told her that 'Wag a Posh Shop For Dogs' had been operating in Ottawa as a dog friendly cafe for over two years. Her response was, "that is Ontatrio, this is BC", and" if you don't like it sue the minister of health". She then proceed to equate or beloved family pets to dirty FARM ANIMALS! and when we responded that we would take this stupid assumption to the dog people of Vic and the press she smiled and said," go ahead it won't change a thing and you still won't open".....
Later that day the city of Victoria called to suspened our business licence until further notice or until VIHA decided what they were going to do about us. We asked Victoria why they granted our licence in the first place as the application is very specific about the nature of the business and we were very specific to list all our merchandise and services and clearly marked AND COFFEE FOR HUMANS!
The city told us that there was a mysterious computer glitch that blotted out the part about coffee and they only just caught it!!! They then agreed to allow us to open as a pet store only until VIHA decides to let us sell coffee!
We are clearly being picked on here dog people and we need your help!
CALL MAXINE MARCHANSKY AT VIHA AND TELL HER THAT YOUR DOG IS NOT A DIRTY FARM ANIMAL! PLEASE CALL THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND TELL THEM THE SAME!
WHY ARE ONTARIO DOG LOVERS, AND DOG LOVERS ALL OVER THE WORLD, ALLOWED TO ENJOY THIS PLEASURE BUT WE BRITISH COLUMBIANS ARE DENIED!
Please support us and allow us to feed our families, contribute to our community and to the economy of our provience, and create jobs for dog people like us!
Thank you in advance for your support and please come and join us for some treats...
Peace,
Dean Schwind/ James Luker
Owners Pup N Cup

[Monique Anstee]

We as a dog community cannot loose this fabulous place. This is exactly what my students all need to socialize their dogs - a friendly, safe place where they can go with their dogs, and watch the world go by, safely. And, even if you are not my student - you need it to! If your dog is under three years of age, they need to get out there, and see the world, sit under your chair, and experience another side of life.

Good luck to you guys. I hope you can get through this. The Victoria Dog community is certainly large enough to support you once you get over this road-block.

Monique Anstee
_________________
Monique Anstee
www.naughtydogge.com

[Monique Anstee]

Hey you procrastinators, if there is a chance that this place could close, you should let your dogs experience the benefits first. They are located on Hillside, 1391 Hillside to be precise.

Monique
_________________
Monique Anstee
www.naughtydogge.com

[Cheryl]

Maxine Marchansky works for Environmental Health Services, and is Senior Environmental Health Officer. Her direct number is 475-5101. She seemed uncomfortable discussing the details of her little investigation. She did say that "the PupnCup is open for business according to the newspaper, but that some changes were likely". In addition, she agreed that all animals are a very good thing and that regional tethering restrictions make it near impossible to bring one's four legged friend along for "social walk and stops" - thus the very reason why I took the time to call her.

I didn't have the heart to tell her that I serve coffee in my home with my dog in the same room and, todate, no one has become ill or died. She may have felt undermined.
_________________
When did you last walk your dog?

[admin]

Absurd. Though when it comes to dogs and hysterical, patronizing regulation, nothing surprises me anymore. Thanks for posting the phone number, Cheryl!

Pup N Cup business plans going to the dogs

Published: Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Conflict over coffee is "pawsing" plans to serve the hot beverage at a new dog supplies store.

The original idea for Pup- Cup Doggie Boutique Cafe, at 1391 A Hillside Ave. near Cedar Hill Road, was for owners to enjoy a cup of java while their dogs munched on treats. It would be a meeting place for dog owners and their pets.

It was inspired by the sight of dogs tied up outdoors while their owners were in cafes, said part-owner Dean Schwind.

Four glass-topped coffee tables and two couches are in the 1,000 square-foot store, along with canine products such as leashes, cards, food, toys and clothing.

On opening day Thursday, high spirits were dampened when a Vancouver Island Health Official raised concerns about plans to serve coffee in the store. For now, the business is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. but coffee is on hold.

Pup- Cup owners James Luker and Schwind, each owning two dogs, have since submitted a proposal to VIHA and are hoping for a solution. VIHA is reviewing the plan, which includes a self service coffee area and describes a dog waste clean-up plan.

"We have gone nuts to try to make this place as safe as possible," Luker said Tuesday. VIHA was not contacted about health rules prior to the store's opening.

An enclosed counter and clean-up area is stained and has three layers of lacquer on it. The cement floor was painted so it can be hosed down and walls are washable, Luker said.

In some places, dogs and coffee go together like Dallas Road and walkies. Ottawa's Wag bills itself as a "posh shop for spoiled pets" and sells coffee, tea and cold drinks, as well as dog treats and supplies. In other countries, such as France, dogs are often allowed in restaurants.

Gary Gibson, VIHA's supervisor for environmental health, said, "This is not a dead-in-the-water issue." VIHA can not compromise on the public's health but in dealing with proposals "often there can be areas for negotiation."

The most important issue is to safeguard public health and to offer food in a safe and sanitary manner, he said.

North American health officials are concerned that animals might harbour disease-causing organisms or pathogens. The main worry is the possibility of cross-contamination from animals to humans handling food or equipment.

B.C.'s Health Act states "an operator of food premises must not permit live animals to be on the premises."

Exceptions are made for guide animals, aquarium fish, and "any other animal that a health official determines will not pose a risk of a health hazard ..." It defines food as "any raw or processed substance intended for human consumption."

A self-serve system might be a way to respond to concerns about possible cross-contamination, Gibson said.

He held out hope that the matter can be resolved, saying, " It is not often that we run up against a situation that can not be dealt with."

Luker said he and Schwind have invested their life savings into the business, which so far has required about $25,000. It has a silent third partner.

"We are not trying to violate any law. We are trying to make a living and support the dog community," Luker Coffee equipment and supplies have cost close to $12,000, he said. Coffee equipment and cups and saucers are also for sale.

There is no plan to serve food to humans, he said. That is prohibited in their lease. They sell dog treats such as "Hempy Hearts" at 50 cents each, aimed at helping a dog's digestion, and "Fleas Be Gone," created to deter fleas. A local woman makes a variety of dog biscuits.

Seminars and services, such as a pet psychologist and manicures, possibly at another site, are also planned, Luker said.

Lyne Burton and Joan Garvey started Wag in Ottawa in November, after going through what Burton describes as "extensive" and "expensive" work to meet local regulations. They serve hot and cold beverages for humans, along with dog treats, in their store.

The store is downtown in a trendy area and has become a destination since opening, said Burton, who with Garvey, owns a children's clothing consignment store in the area.

Burton and Garvey, both dog owners, like to walk to places where they can have a cup of coffee and bring their dogs. "We have a lot of fun in here because it is such a social, social place," Burton said.

[Chara]

Let's not forget, this is the same organization responsible for ousting P.A.T.S. from visiting hospital patients within their rooms. If a patient is confined to bed/ ward, they haven't a hope in hell of receiving a visit from a therapy dog never mind their own much loved and deeply missed pet.

Maxine and her comrads have far too much time on their hands.

Char

[pupncup]

Wow...we wern't expecting that big of an article. Sure hope it helps bring em around. So far no word whatsoever.Laughs..I had my coffee at Timmys this morning..Thank all of you for hearing us out and for the support so far. We really don't think we,re asking a lot for our fine furried freinds and their owners. It's dog lovers who can move things in a good direction. Well, we'll see what happens.

James

[admin]

Wow!, Chara? That's amazing.

Do you happen to know how hospital staff and/or other care professionals felt?

[pupncup]

Thanks so much for the kind word and great support all of you dog folks!!
It seems that we may be making some headway here, although VIHA has yet to contact us CFAX has, and has asked James and I to appear on a live talk show tomorrow at 9:30 am. Apparently someone from VIHA will also appear to tell Victorians why our dogs are considered dirty farm animals....please listen in and phone to support our cause! Now is our chance to tell VIHA to back off and force them to re think their outdated attitudes and perhaps they will get a clue as to why we call them ...MAN'S(and WOMANS) BEST FRIENDS!

Peace,
Dean and James

[Chara]

I afraid don't know how doctors and nurses felt with this new rule but PATS took exception to the proposed change. In the end, these volunteers were grateful they were permitted to continue visiting the sick even if only at the front door or remote areas of the facility.

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You two will be just fine with either Steven or Joe tomorrow morning. It's the VIHA spokesperson that'll need the "good luck".

Chara

[helen]

This is great news, James and Dean. I am channelling all my positive energy your way. Perhaps VIHA will experience an epiphany! How nice for them!

Best,
Helen

[pupncup]

The CFAX interveiw is Friday vs Thursday. The time remains 9:30 am and we'd luv to hear from ya. James