Townsville’s Top 10 Pet Friendly Businesses: 2023 Winners

When I started putting together lists of pet friendly places in Townsville, I noticed something. These businesses were making a real difference to pet owners’ lives, yet hardly anyone was celebrating them. So in 2023, I launched the Top 10 Pet Friendly Business Search and asked the Townsville community to vote for the places that make them and their pets feel most welcome.

The response was fantastic. Here are the businesses our community chose.

Who were Townsville’s top pet friendly businesses in 2023?

The winners fell into three groups: businesses making treats for pets, businesses dressing them in style, and cafés that welcome them with open arms.

Pet treat businesses

• Aaron and Me
• Dawgy Eats
• Bentley’s Barkery

Pet apparel businesses

• Savanna Paws
• Chloe Kelpie & Co.

Pet friendly cafés

• Junction North Shore Cafe
• Pedlar Project
• Bloom Espresso
• Tobruk Kiosk

Townsville’s #1 pet friendly business

• Sirens Bayside

Why was Sirens Bayside voted #1?

Sirens Bayside took out the top spot for its outstanding commitment to welcoming pets and their owners.

The café’s outdoor area is a lovely spot for dogs to relax while their owners enjoy a coffee. What really set it apart was its pet menu, with healthy treats and puppachinos for four legged guests. Voters regularly mentioned the warm, friendly atmosphere, where pets are treated with the same care and attention as their humans.

Whether you want somewhere to unwind with your dog or just a good café experience, Sirens Bayside showed what a truly pet friendly business looks like.

What makes a business truly pet friendly?

Allowing pets in is a start, but the businesses our community voted for went further. Here’s what pet owners told us matters most.

1. A genuine welcome. Staff who greet pets warmly, not just tolerate them.
2. Water on hand. A fresh water bowl is a small thing that makes a big difference, especially in Townsville’s heat.
3. Shade and space. Outdoor areas with shade and room for dogs to settle without being in the way.
4. Something special for pets. Puppachinos, treats or a pet menu show real thought.
5. Clear rules. Knowing where pets can and can’t go helps owners feel confident and keeps everyone comfortable.
6. Products made with care. For treat and apparel businesses, quality ingredients and materials built for pets, not just for looks.

How do you take your dog to a café in Queensland?

Queensland allows dogs in outdoor dining areas, but it’s up to each business to decide whether they’re welcome. A café can choose not to allow dogs for any reason, unless the dog is an assistance animal, which has separate rules.

If your dog is welcome, Queensland Government guidance asks owners to:

• Respect the business’s rules on whether and where dogs are allowed
• Keep your dog close, either tied to a tether point or right beside you
• Prevent problem behaviour, such as barking, jumping on people, fighting with other dogs or eating from other people’s plates
• Take your dog away from the area if they need to go to the toilet, clean up straight away and let staff know
• Avoid touching your dog while you eat, and don’t encourage staff or other customers to pat them

Only dogs are allowed in outdoor dining areas, so cats, birds and other pets need to stay home for café visits.

A few extra tips make café trips easier:

• Exercise your dog first so they’re calm and ready to settle
• Bring a mat or towel so they have their own spot
• Choose a quieter time for your first few visits
• Pack water, even if the café usually has a bowl out

Why does celebrating pet friendly businesses matter?

For many of us, pets are family. When a business welcomes them, it means we can include our pets in everyday life, grabbing a coffee, running errands or catching up with friends, instead of leaving them at home.

It can be surprisingly hard to find places where your pet is truly welcome. Every business that opens its doors to pets makes Townsville a better place for the people and animals who live here.

Supporting these businesses also sends a message. When pet friendly places are busy and successful, more businesses see the value in welcoming pets too.

Where can you find more pet friendly places in Townsville?

These winners are just the beginning. You can explore more verified pet friendly businesses in our Townsville listings, and find places to let your dog run on our Off Leash Dog Parks in Townsville page. Heading to a park first? Brush up on the rules in our Townsville Dog Park Rules guide.

Know a business that deserves to be on the list?

We’re always looking for Townsville businesses that go above and beyond for pets and their owners. If you have a favourite, suggest a business and help us celebrate them in our next search.