For those of you who take your dogs everywhere you go, make sure to check out Fido Factor, a Yelp-like Web site and iPhone application that helps people identify dog-friendly businesses and stores. That means less places that your doggy pal has to sit outside of, tethered by his/her leash to a pole, while you shop and eat/drink.

The San Francisco Chronicle recently featured a story on the San Francisco-based company, which was started by Justin O’Neill, a dog owner who likes to bring his 6-year-old
Irish Terrier, Kole, with him on errands. O’Neill explains in the story that leaving your dog outside can be a health and safety reason for your pooch — not only are tethered dogs more susceptible to being stolen by thieves looking for reward money, but they can also be stressed by the experience.

Users of the Fido Factor app can locate dog-friendly stores, restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, etc., and can also post reviews on the site. As an added bonus, each time a member adds or reviews a location in San Francisco, Fido
Factor will make a donation to the San Francisco SPCA.

Read the story here.