Pet Pubs

Bruno, Reg, Tom, Jack and Daniel, are just as well known as the publicans in the countryside and seaside pubs in East Kent. Their distinctive personalities enliven and enrich the pub..

Bruno is the latest canine to pace the floors at the newly refurbished seaside pub - the Zetland Arms. He is a lovely, lollopping black labrador, who has overcome being born without a hip bone. He provides a warm welcome and loves a stroke and cuddle.

Down the road, the pet that undoubtedly rules at the Rising Sun, is Tom, a ginger Tom-cat with a feisty character. He can often be found standing to attention at the front door or lounging at the bar. Although he purrs at being stroked, you have to be alert as he is just as likely to use his prickly paws to give you a gentle swipe. Upstairs is Reg, a confident Staffordshire terrier who likes a good bark at the birds and anything else moving at night. He is a fantastic deterrent against any villains who are looking to disturb the peace.

Jack and Daniel are two sleepy cats who luxuriate in the warmth and hospitality of the Red Lion pub at Stodmarsh. They are quite at home in this quirkly, family-run pub, set deep in the East Kent country-side.

Other pubs with pets that deserve a mention are Bumble, a sleek red setter whose lithesome limbs stretch across the floor of the sixteenth century pub, the Black Pig, and Merlot and Claret, who were the resident cats at the White Horse in Dover. They have moved on in the last few months, so we are waiting for news of where they will pop up, and who might grace the doorsteps of one of Dover's oldest pubs next.

Whether feline or canine, all of these animals are great characters, who are just as happy at home as their human companions. It's worth a visit, just to greet and shake a paw.