Best Dog-Friendly Coffee Shops In The Stockport Area

The heart wrecking task of leaving behind your pooches when you’re out exploring the gorgeous big city can be way too much to handle. However, it is equally overwhelming to take your pup along with you. The endless list of things that we can do to enjoy each moment of our time fails to stand at par with the things that our dog can do while they are outside with us. How can we be sure that the cool parks, breathtaking cafes, fun pubs, and shops that catch our eye will be equally pup-friendly as we are? But, your fears can finally take rest for we have compiled a list of the ultimate places that you can visit with your pup when you’re in the Stockport area in Greater Manchester.

  • Tandem Coffee House

Located in the old town of Stockport, you can finally unwind and enjoy a delicious cup of aromatic coffee with your dog. This place has earned its name for being super dog-friendly, top notch coffee, delectable food, and overall charm. This place is open Monday to Saturday and has earned its fame for the fresh and wide range of items it has on its menu. Next time, you are browsing through places to visit with your furry friend don’t miss out Tandem Coffee House.

Website: https://tandemcoffeehouse.co.uk/

Phone Number – 07542866349

  • Nook Neighborhood Coffee

You can finally enjoy what you have been waiting for so long. This cafe with its freshly baked irresistible cakes, homemade soups, out of the world sandwiches, and specialty coffee deserves to be on your ‘must visit’ places in Stockport. The relaxed dining ambience is all about offering each customer and their dog(s) a homely feel. And, when it comes to food, it is fresh and healthy. Don’t miss out this gem of a place that is about to be your and your dog’s favorite hangout location in Stockport. Are you ready to visit a laid-back cafe? Then, this is it for you.

Website: http://www.nooknc.co.uk/

Phone Number – 0161 432 5385

  • Plumcake Cafe

This charming cafe deserves to earn every acclamation that it has. The amazing menu, superior quality coffee, and the fact that it is a popular place for every dog lover is something anyone should look forward to. This place has everything that can transform your day into a remarkable one. The old-fashioned friendly place with delicious homemade food is worth a visit with your buddy. Drop by with your dog for an excellent brunch, and you will definitely keep coming back.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Plumcake-Cafe-192914624137804?utm_source=tripadvisor&utm_medium=referral

Phone Number– +44 161 439 8147

  • Rhode Island Coffee

If the smell of fresh coffee, a plate full of delicacies, and your dog by your side is what you want from your cafe, then Rhode Island Coffee won’t disappoint you. The welcoming staff, friendly ambiance, hearty natural food, relaxation, and enjoyment is what Rhode Island Coffee stands for. No matter how long you intend to spend your time in this cafe, you’re bound to enjoy yourself. So, go ahead and order a hearty amount of comfort food, a cup of freshly brewed coffee, and feel right at home with a book and a dog. You must try all the award-winning dishes on the menu.

Website: http://www.rhodeislandcoffee.co.uk/our-food/

Phone Number – +44 (0) 1204 702 338

  • No29 Coffee House and Delicatessen

This place is everything that you and your dog would love on a day out. The menu has some incredible and evolutionary dishes that you must give a try. As for your dog, it can soak in a friendly atmosphere, your company, and a chilled time. The culture of this cafe is simply remarkable. This is undoubtedly one of the best hang out cafes you can find in your neighborhood with a vision to offer its customers with a simple menu that comprises of some of the best drinks and food. And, the space that it will be served in will be both wholesome and welcoming. It is time to create cherishable memories with your dog here at No29 Coffee House and Delicatessen.

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/No29CoffeehouseandDelicatessen

Phone Number – +44 161 430 4671

  • Feed General Store

Enjoy the season’s fresh produce and ingredients here at Feed General Store. The use of seasonal ingredients and local supplies enhances the taste of their dishes even more. Walk into this amazing cafe with your dog, family, and friends and have a relaxing time. Take some time of your daily, busy life and enjoy the tranquility of this place. Your pooch will have an equally fantastic time as you do here.

Website: http://feedgeneralstore.co.uk/

Phone Number– +44 161 312 4148

  • Juno Cafe

In here, you will have the most wonderful experiences with your dog. This cafe is much more than the appetizing dishes it serves during breakfast and lunch. This is another excellent dog-friendly spot for you that is simply perfect when it comes to grabbing your everyday cup of Joe. Not only will your dog be welcomed inside the cafe but also feel equally loved and cared for. The hearty and equally amazing number of home-style choices in this cafe is what you need.

Website: http://junocafe.co.uk/

Phone Number – +44 161 442 2756

  • Thom’s Bar and Kitchen

This spot is another ideal location for a dog and its master. It is an extremely popular attraction amidst dog lovers who want to be in a calm and serene location on a late afternoon, simply relaxing the good vibes with their dog. The food menu of this place is a never-ending list of delightful delicacies that range from salads to quick bites, snacks, and hearty meals. Don’t miss out on this cozy place if you happen to be in Stockport.

Website: https://thomsbar.co.uk/

Phone Number– +44 161 442 7771

  • Brezo Lounge

Brezo Lounge is in the heart of Cheadle High Street, with a fantastic terrace outside the front.  They serve a great range of food and drinks (including full kids, gluten free and vegan menus) Dogs allowed inside and they will even get dog treats and water.   Perfect! 

https://thelounges.co.uk/brezo

0161 4913980

  • SK8 Café

SK Eight is a Coffee Shop with a difference.   They are a social enterprise which means that they run their business in an ethical way that benefits the local community.  They have a varied menu serving a delicious selection of fresh food, from sandwiches to filled jacket potatoes and cakes and treats. They also serve amazing Grumpy Mule coffee. A wonderful outside area to enjoy as well as facilities that enable people to book space for meetings.


Call 0161 486 7673

https://www.facebook.com/skeightcoffee/

These are some of the best cafes for you and the waggy tailed friend you love so much. Don’t miss out on these places for they are the most beloved hot spots in Stockport.  Know of any more dog friendly coffee shops? let us know and we will add them to the list.

Contact Scamps and Champs Stockport, ask us a question or make an enquiry via our online form.

Puppy Visits – Care When You Can’t be there!

Bringing a puppy into the family is an extremely exciting time for everyone and something that millions of us do each year. However, with work commitments, children and day-to-day life being hectic, we can’t always be home 24/7 to keep our puppies company.

Whilst there are gadgets readily available, such as ‘puppy camera’s’ to help monitor your pup whilst you are out, nothing beats some good old fashioned company!

Puppies between 8 and 12 weeks will need additional care and attention, as they often need 3 meals a day, they are not toilet trained and they seek companionship now that they are away from their mothers.

Puppies this young need to be taken out to the toilet once an hour whilst you are home and should not be left for more than a maximum of 2 to 3 hours at a time. Accidents are still common at this age and therefore bedding and blankets need to be checked and changed frequently, to ensure your puppy has a dry surface to lie on.

Getting your puppy into a routine is vital at this age and therefore keeping 3 consistent meals a day at the same time, is important for their digestive system. Their brains are like sponges and therefore getting them into a daily routine early on is important for establishing good behaviour in the home.

Puppies can suffer from separation anxiety when they are really little and whilst it is good for them to be left for short bursts of time, so that they can get used to being left. You really don’t want to be leaving them for more than a couple of hours alone at this stage.

Finally, the sooner you commence socialisation for your puppy the better! As they may not have had completed their vaccinations at this stage, taking your puppy for walks or socialising them with other dogs may not be an option yet.

Our puppy visiting team are a group of animal care professionals, who are fully trained and DBS checked. They can come into your home whilst you are out and regularly check on your puppy.

Our friendly and reliable puppy visiting service means that your dog can be given meals, fresh water, taken out for toilet breaks, enjoy some fresh air in your garden, bedding can be changed where necessary and best of all we provide company and plenty of cuddles.

Our animal care team can come and visit you in your home and provide a personalised service to suit your puppy’s needs. We will tailor our visits to suit your individual requirements and we can come as frequently as you need us to.

To learn more about Scamps and Champs Puppy Visiting Service in your local area, to ask a question or make an enquiry, simply complete our quick and easy online form.

Then one of our dedicated team will get back to you shortly!

Sheep Worrying Awareness – Dog Walking Do’s and Don’ts!

With lambing season coming into fruition, it’s that time of year again when we have to take extra care on our dog walks! Particularly in rural areas where the scenery attracts walkers and dog owners, footpaths can pass through farmers’ fields and subsequently sheep fields. As dog owners we can often see open rolling fields and let our dogs off the lead, not realising that just around the next corner or over the tip of the next hill, there are sheep.

It is in a dog’s nature however obedient they are to want to chase other animals, therefore they will naturally want to chase sheep if they are off the lead. No matter how small your dog is sheep will be extremely frightened by being chased and this will cause the sheep to flee in panic. This can subsequently cause the sheep to become injured and in some cases this can be fatal.

If the sheep are carrying lambs then the act of them being chased can cause them to miscarry their young, so although you may not see the harm in sheep running across a field away from your dog, this act can in fact cause significant damage to the sheep and their unborn young.

Sheep worrying is in fact a serious crime as it not only endangers the well-being and in some cases life, of the sheep and their unborn lambs, it can also be an extremely costly act of negligence for the farmers! Some dogs even bite and maul sheep and lambs, as part of a natural hunting instinct, this can cause farmers significant financial burdens in vet bills and medical care.

In addition, if a sheep is chased away by a dog, they can become separated from their lambs and this can then cause the lambs to contract hypothermia and in some cases die from starvation. It is absolutely vital that you keep your dogs on a lead around any livestock and that you follow the basic legislation with regards to walking your dog near sheep. Please find a summary of the legislation below:

“The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, if a dog worries sheep on agricultural land, the person in charge of the dog is guilty of an offence. The Act considers sheep worrying to include attacking sheep, chasing them in a way that may cause injury, suffering, abortion or loss of produce or being at large (not on a lead or otherwise under close control) in a field or enclosure in which there are sheep.” (National Sheep Association, 2019).

Link to the Dogs Protection of Livestock Act 1953 Government Legislation Documentation.

If the legislation is not followed, in some cases farmers have the right to shoot dogs on their land. This is only in extreme cases, but it is simply not a risk that is worth taking, for any dog owner. In short, if there is any risk on your walks of their being sheep, even if they weren’t in the field the previous week, they could be there now! Look out for signs on gates and fences as you enter fields and always keep a look out well ahead of where you are walking. Most importantly, keep your dogs on a lead at all times, no matter how well behaved they are! Or another option is to opt for a different dog walking route through lambing season, somewhere with low risk of their being sheep, such as a beach or forest walk.

Keep both you and your dog safe around any livestock and don’t forget – sheep worrying is a crime!

To enquire about Scamps and Champs pet care services, to check availability or make an enquiry simply contact us via our online form.

Well-being Dogs in Schools can Reduce Stress and Assist Positive Mental Health in Students

There is a new kind of pawsome pal in town, the ‘school well-being dog!’ It’s a new concept to many of us but it is an incentive that has been publically recommended by the Education Secretary Damian Hinds, who says that more and more schools seem to be accepting ‘well-being dogs’ into their school communities and that ‘pets can really help!’ But what is a well-being dog, how can it benefit students and how does a school obtain one?

Firstly, it is important to outline the issues that pupils face, as this ultimately sets the foundational needs for a well-being dog to come into the school community. Students feel an increased pressure via social media to appear ‘perfect’ and this can lead to online bullying, where students can feel they have no escape even once they go home from school. This can be extremely difficult for young individuals and lead to adolescent mental health issues such as; self-harming, depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

Bringing a pet into the school is said to increase a sense of well-being and safety for students, which in turn can have a positive effect on their mental health. Students can relate to animals and they have a soothing presence within the school environment. Mental health is an issue that needs to be addressed in schools and the emotional well-being of students needs to be developed, so that they can cope in later life.

Well-being dogs are a low-cost effective solution to assisting young people with feeling safe within the school and improving their mental health. Students can empathise with animals in a way that they can’t always with other humans and this develops their emotional well-being. Having a dog in school can be an uplifting experience and assist individuals in feeling more relaxed, confident and ability to cope with challenging situations.

So how does a school obtain a well-being dog? Well there are large national companies which specialise specifically in rearing well-being dogs from puppies, there are also independent well-being dog handlers, who you can search for locally to your school. A school can seek out contact and commence communications with regards to how often the dog would be in school and which dog would suit the specific school environment. Once a suitable agreement is in place then parents will be contacted to seek written permission for their child to be involved in the well-being dog sessions, parents have the choice to opt out their child at this stage.

Then once all of the permission slips have been received back, the dog can begin coming into schools. Often dogs will start as puppies so that they can get used to their new school environment, simultaneously with the pupils getting used to their new pawfect pal! The dog can sit in the entrance of school and greet everyone as they come into class and then the well-being dog can usually roam around the school freely for a period of time, interacting with students!

One thing is for sure well-being dogs are well and truly perceived as part of the school community and positive interactions between the children and dog are welcomed and encouraged. At Scamps and Champs we think it is a fantastic idea both for the dog’s socialisation and for the emotional support and development of the children. Allowing dogs and children to interact positively will allow children who don’t have any animals at home, to reduce any anxieties they may have and support their confidence development.

To find out more about Scamps and Champs services or to ask us a pet care related question, simply complete our short online enquiry form.

Your Pets at your Wedding? – Well I never thought it could be possible!

As we all know for the bride it’s her special day, why shouldn’t your beloved pet be part of this and, the groom would secretly love to have that happen too! It really is possible and after an initial free consultation you will find out just how Scamps and Champs Reigate can help to make this part of your dream day come true. We recognise how important it is that you have your pet included in your wedding and we want to help your day go as perfectly as possible for you. We can ensure that your best friend is chaperoned to your wedding venue and by your side in all of your professional wedding photographs.

From collection in the morning, or the night before, to having your pet looking their best by having them expertly groomed, to being a ring bearer your chaperone can take care of everything. If you also need your dog walked, your pets fed and even looked after the night after, don’t worry we will design the package to suit your personal needs and wants. All of our wedding packages are bespoke and can be tailored to your individual requirements. Your cat or dog can be involved in as little or as much of your special day as you like. It is important that we meet your needs and work together to meet the personality and requirements of your pet too. We recognise that a wedding venue is an unfamiliar environment for your furry friend and we therefore want to be there to support them every step of the way.

So if you are getting married this year and thought how can you make this happen? Just think how great it would be to have the lasting memory. Please do get in touch and if you are getting married  in the Surrey, Sussex and Kent areas it will our pleasure to help and support you by enabling you to have your best friend there knowing they are being expertly looked after the whole time.

CLICK HERE to ask us a question or to check availability for the Wedding Pet Chaperone Service!

View Scamps and Champs Reigate webpage to see more about our services.

You are planning a holiday – but what about the Cat?

Cat, Sitting, Pet, Sitting, Holidays

A question always asked by cat lovers, when they are having to leave their furry loved ones for long periods of time during holidays is, what cat sitting services are available for our beloved feline-friends? It can cause as much of a personal dilemma as which destination to select for your holidays!

When pondering whether a cat sitter or a cattery is best for your cat, it is worth considering the character and needs of your cat. Cats are known for their independence, just one of the qualities that makes them such great pets! Most cats will be perfectly happy being left alone during the day if you go out to work. Cats will normally snooze for around two thirds of their day, therefore they should be fine left to their own devices for periods of time during an average day, as long as you give them plenty of love, food and quality playtime whilst they’re awake.

However, if you’re going to be away for longer than a day you’ll need to make sure that your cat is properly cared for. Cats are home-loving and territorial, so it is most beneficial to try and find a way for your cat to be looked after within their own home when you go away. They’re unlikely to feel stressed if they’re in their usual environment with its familiar scents, sights and sounds. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a cat-friendly acquaintance who’s happy to pop in to feed them, clean their litter tray, provide fresh water and give them some TLC.

If you do not have this option available to you then you can opt for a cat sitter who will pop in and feed your cat and play with them. Services vary and can be tailored to your cat’s individual needs. You can usually expect a cat sitter to come to your house at least twice a day to feed your furry friend, play with them and clean out their litter tray.

Alternatively, if you feel you would prefer around the clock company and care for your cat, then you can book a trustworthy house sitter to come and stay in your home, to care for your cat in their usual day-to-day environment. As well as keeping an eye on your cat, a house sitter will be able to keep your home tidy and most importantly secure, during their stay.

At Scamps and Champs Reigate we are building a team of passionate animal lovers who are all DBS checked and fully insured and our one aim is to make sure that you and your cat are happy and that you feel safe.

To ask us a question, make an enquiry or to check availability please contact us via our main Scamps and Champs website.

Animals in the Workplace – Increases Productivity and Reduces Stress

It is not uncommon for businesses to allow pets into their offices these days, with many companies actually including the perk within their job advertisements to attract potential new employees.

Large companies like Google openly accept pets in the work place, where they are even welcome at business meetings. It is also common for a large number of Dutch companies to allow animals into the work environment too. A decade ago it was virtually unheard of to allow pets into the workplace, so why has this change of heart occurred and what benefits does having animals in the office have for us?

A wide set of studies have proven that when a dog is in the office that human cortisol levels are reduced, demonstrating a reduced level of stress. In addition, tests show that when physically stroking a dog humans have an increased level of the hormone oxytocin, making us feel more relaxed and happy.    

Some people believe pets can be a positive addition in many other ways too! Pets are said to be good for team morale and can boost energy levels on a tough or busy work day. Furthermore, pets can provide a fantastic ‘ice-breaker’ if you are finding it difficult to talk to one of your fellow colleagues.

Animals are universally loved and can therefore provide a mutually beneficial topic of interest. When you have your pet present at work with you, you may find people you have never even spoken to before stop by and want to say hello to your furry-friend, providing you with the perfect opportunity to get to know new people too.

Having your canine companion with you at work can make you feel more at ease and confident, therefore combining that with the improvement in communications once you have your pet with you, clinching ‘that deal’ will be a lot easier!

OK, so dogs are the obvious choice for a puptastic office pal, but don’t be deceived! Lots of people are now taking their feline friends into work now too. After all, cats absolutely love company and lots of attention too! Having a furry cat sitting purring on your lap can be really soothing and relaxing for both of you. Meaning you are productive and focussed in the workplace with your kitty by your side. Puurrrrfect!

So are any other animals acceptable in the work place? Well a hamster might not quite have the same effect as a cat or dog in terms of ‘cuddle-ability’ but if you are looking for a low-maintenance office companion, then a hamster could be the answer for you! Fish have well-known relaxing qualities and could produce a colourful and quiet, soothing addition to the office!

So with so many companies desperate to take on animal lovers – what are you and your pawsome pals waiting for?

Check out Scamps and Champs full range of pet care services, also contact us with any questions or to make an enquiry.

Promoting Excellence in the Pet Industry

Pet, Industry, Federation, Member, 2019,

We have some exciting news here at Scamps and Champs, we have become members of a professional accredited body! We are now proud to announce that Scamps and Champs are members of the Pet Industry Federation! 

So who are the Pet Industry Federation?

The Pet Industry Federation is a professional organisation that are leaders within pet industry. Offering companies specialist support and training in the following areas; dog  grooming, pet retail, kennel and cattery management and assistance with pet trade events. 

The Pet Industry Federation are the top pet-industry specialists in the United Kingdom and therefore we are extremely proud to let you all know about our new membership.

Now that Scamps and Champs are members of the Pet Industry Federation, this means that as pet care providers we must abide by pet industry sector charters and demonstrate excellent practice.

In short, we must demonstrate a hallmark of quality within everything we do!

So what does this mean for Scamps and Champs?

As a new member we agree as a business to abide by the following pet industry charter:

1. Strive to improve industry standards

2. Promote responsible pet ownership

3. Strive to ensure customer satisfaction at all times

4. Always provide customers with clear and current information about products and services in a polite and professional manner

5. Ensure all staff are appropriately trained to carry out their job role and that they have a comprehensive understanding of company products, services and procedures

6. Minimise the environmental impact of the business wherever possible

7. Promote best practice in animal welfare by observing the Five Welfare Needs: Diet; Accommodation; Wellness; Sociability; Behaviour

8. Maintain the working environment to ensure it is fit for purpose

9. Abide by all current legislation relative to the business

10. Not bring the pet industry, the Pet Industry Federation or divisional association into disrepute

So basically you can look forward to recieving our usual high-level of professional pet care services, just with the secured knowledge that we are working to pet industry leader standards and that we now have access to additional specialist training and support. 

We are very excited about our new membership with the nationally accredited Pet Industry Federation and we hope that you will be too!

Check out Scamps and Champs full range of pet care services, check availability and contact us via our online form.

Are You in Breach of Rule 57 of the Highway Code?

Whilst millions of us in the United Kingdom drive with our canine companions in the car with us every day, can we all be sure that we are doing so safely? Recent research suggests that a large proportion of dog owners are unaware of the correct safety procedures required for transporting their four-legged friends in the car, suggesting that many of us are breaking Rule 57 of the Highway Code and therefore could face fines of up to £5,000 for careless driving with an unrestrained pet. So what is Rule 57 and what does it mean for pet owners?

Rule 57 of the Highway Code states that all animals when travelling in a vehicle on the road need to be suitably restrained so that they cannot cause any distraction to drivers, injure you or be injured themselves should you need to perform an emergency stop. Therefore, if your dog is not suitably and safely restrained within your vehicle, they potentially could cause a triple threat to drivers, other road users and themselves. 

Whilst Rule 57 does not state outright the methods of restraint, it is suggested that however well-behaved your dog is when loose in the car, that if unrestrained it could still potentially cause one or more of the potential threats above. Therefore, if you do not use one of the following safety methods for your pet in the car then it is assumed you are in breach of Rule 57 of the Highway Code. So what methods are suitable and which pets would these be suitable for? Scamps and Champs cover the main methods of vehicle restraint for pets below in our helpful four-step guide.

1.Existing Seatbelts 

Existing seatbelts for us humans can also be useful for our pets. They are already there and don’t cost you a penny – so why not use them? Seatbelts can be used to securely fasten cat boxes, small animal carriers and dog crates firmly in place on the back seat of the car. Whilst you can carry animals in the front of the car physically, it is not recommended as they can cause distraction to the driver and potentially come to severe harm should there be an accident.

2. Pet Seatbelts

Pet seatbelts can be purchased from veterinary practices, retail pet stores and online. They are readily available from multiple sellers on stores such as www.amazon.co.uk and www.ebay.co.uk. In addition, if you have an existing safety method in place and you are willing to wait a few weeks for your product to arrive, pet seatbelts can be purchased via these websites from sellers based within the product’s manufacturing country. So if cost is an issue for you there is an option available for everyone, as a quality product can be purchased for as little as £1 including postage and will be delivered directly to your home from China, for example, providing premium pet safety at a bargain cost. So there is no excuse not to have your pets safely secured and to travel in accordance with the Highway Code.

3. Harnesses

You can purchase harnesses for most animals, however this option would be most suitable for your dogs. Harnesses are widely available in stores and online, at a variety of prices and in a variety of styles. The important thing is to ensure that you purchase the correct size for your dog, or this can be a safety issue for your beloved pet in itself. It is recommended that you use a harness and not a pet seatbelt attached to a collar, as if an emergency stop were to occur you need your pet’s body to remain secure. If the full impact of an emergency stop was to occur with your pet attached via its collar then this could cause significant and even fatal damage to your pet’s neck and therefore this isn’t viewed as an acceptable method of restraint.

4. Crates or Animal Carriers

Smaller animals are best to be transported in a crate or animal carrier, as they provide less room for movement and also block the visual elements of the road, which can be extremely frightening for small animals. In addition, the more secure exterior provides additional safety for your animals in the event of an accident and can be additionally secured to the car seat with your existing seatbelts in order to minimise movement.

So you have been suitably informed on Rule 57 of the highway code and the suitable methods of safety restraints for animals, including cost effective options available to everyone, you can all enjoy traveling with your pets safely! Happy travelling pet-lovers!

For further safety advice for your pets and for a full range of our Scamps and Champs services, please go to our main website. Please contact us to check availability or to ask any questions you may have.