On 4 September, Brussels's very first dog café will open in the leafy suburb of Elsene. The initiative is not only aimed at dog owners who want to have a drink together with their four-legged friends but also wants to offer added social value. For example, the café will be staffed by people with disabilities and there will be opportunities for dogs up for adoption to meet potential new owners.
Although the Dogood Café is not organising an opening party until 28 September, the dog café will already be opening its doors this Thursday. The Dogood Café has a dual concept: on the one hand, it is a place where people with their dogs are welcome and, on the other, it has a social and educational mission.
People with disabilities will staff the café that will work with the Sans Collier shelter to match dogs that are up for adoption and have not immediately found a new home with an owner. ‘There are so many dogs looking for a loving home, and at the same time, there are people with disabilities who have few opportunities on the job market. We want to give them a place,’ says co-founder Niccolo Ferro. In addition, two dogs will also be permanent residents at the café: Yuna and Isidore.
The café will serve meals for both dogs and humans, and even the dishes for humans will only use ingredients that dogs can also eat. For example, there is no chocolate to be found in the café.