Communicating your business’s expectations for pets helps pet parents understand and follow your guidelines.

Adopting the “voice” of a pet can help draw additional attention to the rules you’re trying to convey. Here’s sample language that can be used to communicate requirements:

PETS WELCOME

Everything’s better with pets! Responsible pet owners make it a great experience for everyone.

• Keep me leashed and under control to help protect me (and the people and things that are around me!).
• Gimme space! Make sure I hang out where I won’t be underfoot.
• If I get over-excited, aggressive or anxious, please take me outside so I can calm down.
• When I gotta go, I gotta go. Help me anticipate when I need to go out for a break. And if it happens…sorry, please clean it up.
• Don’t leave me! (Never leave pets unattended in a public space.)
• Keep in mind that you’re in charge. I try to be good…but you’re ultimately responsible for me and my actions.

Want more tips? Check out the Pets Welcome Toolkit for info about how to launch a pet-friendly business initiative that can benefit businesses, pet parents and pets.