I like cats but can only enjoy them out of doors, and then I have to come in and wash my hands thoroughly before I touch my face or else my allergies will take over. My husband is even more allergic. Even if we didn't have the allergies, I would not shop in a store where cats were allowed on the fabric or on the cutting table. Store owners who allow this either don't realize that they are losing business, or don't care because they love their cats more than their sneezing customers.
There is a sewing group near me that several of us no longer attend, because several of the guests bring their small dogs, and they are allowed to run free during the sewing sessions. One of the ladies who no longer attends is very allergic, and the rest of us just don't want the pet hair or the aggravation of dealing with the romping dogs.