Pet owners and eateries welcome easing of al fresco dining rules

But some dining outlets seek clarity on types of pets that would be allowed

- Ian Cheng

Pet owners and eateries have welcomed the recent move allowing patrons to dine outdoors with their furry companions without the need for a pet cafe licence, even as some seek more clarity on the new rules.

A spokesperson for waterfront cafe Whisk & Paddle told The Straits Times that in the past, it had to turn away customers with pets as it was not licensed to accommodate them.

"This caused disappointment among potential customers, especially since we are located along the Punggol Park connector," the spokesperson said. The park connector is frequented by dog owners.

From Jan 1, such pet-friendly eateries with outdoor dining areas will no longer need to worry about seeking additional approval from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), if they are not serving pet food.

Since SFA's announcement on Dec 2, Whisk & Paddle has started sourcing for pet-only chairs, which will allow dogs to be seated. The Tebing Lane eatery is also looking to get disposable pet water bowls.

These measures, along with an allocated space outdoors for non-pet owners, would hopefully allay the concerns of some customers who may be worried about hygiene and pet allergies, the spokesperson said.