Animals in the Store

[Dream Baby]

What is your store's policy on bringing animals to Target?

Guests don't even bother to state they are "service animals" because Target never says anything anyway.

This is a health code violation because we serve and sell food.

I never see this at my local Kroger, Meijer, etc.

 

[Amanda Cantwell]

Official policy is only service animals allowed in all stores. However, team members are not to question any guest. I believe if animal is causing a disturbance, then AP can take over and ask.

 

[commiecorvus]

You can ask if the animal is a service animal.
If they say yes, that pretty much ends the conversation, you can't ask what for, etc.
However, A service animal must be under the control of its handler.
Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered.
So no service animals running around loose or in a basket.

 

[redeye58]

People will bring their PETS in frequently but I draw the line when they are holding them & approach my counter.
I tell them that health code trumps 'emotional support animals'.
Usually they put the animal in their cart or send someone up to order for them.
Have yet to get a complaint.

 

[Anelmi]

In the past month, I have seen guests letting their dogs run around the store both leased and unleashed, 2 dogs almost get into a fight, dogs trying to jump up on counters, dogs allowed to poop on the floor and the owner walks away, etc. These are NOT service animals.

There is NO reason to bring your dog with you everywhere. Stores should be off-limits. Not everyone shares your affiinity for your pet.

 

[Black Sheep 214]

I never had a problem with pets at my store, in fact seeing a dog there usually made my day, which is more than I can say for a lot of our human guests, because the pets were better behaved. ASANTS, but I never saw an unleashed pet in our store. One guest always came in with his cat on a leash, and that cat walked on a leash better than a lot of dogs, mine included.😁

 

[DatBoi9497]

We once had a dog shit on the floor and someone ran their cart through it...

 

[happygoth]

In the past month, I have seen guests letting their dogs run around the store both leased and unleashed, 2 dogs almost get into a fight, dogs trying to jump up on counters, dogs allowed to poop on the floor and the owner walks away, etc. These are NOT service animals.

There is NO reason to bring your dog with you everywhere. Stores should be off-limits. Not everyone shares your affiinity for your pet.

Agreed.

I hate how in the US we are afraid to hold people accountable for their actions anymore. From pets to out-of-control kids to disruptive public conversations to mask-wearing, it's like the assholes of the world have taken over and decent people have to just suck it up.

 

[qmosqueen]

Well here’s what I found

 

[Dead and Khaki]

I hope that store's SD thoroughly cleans up every drop of urine and feces themselves, including going outside in wretched temperatures to power-wash entire rows of shit-streaked carts.

 

[Anelmi]

Okay but cute puppies who sit sweetly in carts are not the same as full grown German shepherds who pull on leashes. I live in a very dog-friendly area which is fine but cmon.

 

[Fluttervale]

It can be a six figure fine to the company to unlawfully discriminate against a service dog.

So I just stay out of it and strongly recommend that my team do the same.

 

[Dream Baby]

So last night someone was walking around with their full grown dog in the store.

Since our cart attendant is only scheduled to 9:00 (WTF) I thought it would have been ironic if the dog urinated or defecated in the store.

I am trained to clean up all spills but I would refused to have cleaned up that!

 

[Yetive]

It is a food safety violation for them to be in the carts.

 

[happygoth]

It is a food safety violation for them to be in the carts.

Had a family with their yippy little wire-haired dog in a cart just last night. Definitely not a service dog. People suck.

 

[redeye58]

One of my boys is scared of dogs (sensory disorders) & will start screeching if a dog runs up to him.
Service dogs move slowly & don't bark so he's ok but we still give them space.
Can't tell you how many times a dog runs up yapping, he freaks & the owner tells us 'oh, he's friendly' while my son is having a meltdown.

 

[Tessa120]

You can ask if the animal is a service animal.
If they say yes, that pretty much ends the conversation, you can't ask what for, etc.
However, A service animal must be under the control of its handler.
Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered.
So no service animals running around loose or in a basket.

You can ask what they have been trained to do, just can't ask for a demonstration or ask additional questions.

And voice commands/signaling is okay if the person cannot use a physical harness/leash, or if the harness/leash would interfere with performance of duties.

ADA 2010 Revised Requirements: Service Animals

The ADA Home Page provides access to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations for businesses and State and local governments, technical assistance materials, ADA Standards for Accessible Design, links to Federal agencies with ADA responsibilities and information, updates on new ADA...

www.ada.gov

 

[Bosch]

I take the tack, if the dog is under control and behaved - stay the fuck out of it.

 

[Frontlanegirl]

Agreed.

I hate how in the US we are afraid to hold people accountable for their actions anymore. From pets to out-of-control kids to disruptive public conversations to mask-wearing, it's like the assholes of the world have taken over and decent people have to just suck it up.

Love this so much! Same thing holding our team members accountable. Show up on time, show up dressed for work, clean up after yourself, etc.

 

[IWishIKnew]

I don't get paid enough to either make it harder on someone who needs a legit service dog or to deal with entitled pet parents who could turn rabid at any moment.

I pretend dogs don't exist when I see them in the store. The other night there was a barking dog in the store, but it wasn't near me, but that's the first time I've ever heard a dog in the store.

Technically we can ask what services a service dog is trained to perform, as that could become quite relevant if, say, the dog is trained to alert when their person has a low blood sugar incident or a seizure and that information could help the employees and first responders help the person more quickly. In practice, yeah, since we can't actually enforce any policies Target has on things, I don't see much of a point in me confronting people about it.

 

[DBZ]

I've seen my SD throw out two people with pet dogs. It was great each time.

 

[Reshop Ninja]

Well here’s what I found

I remember seeing the dog at the top before. People were giving the person who originally posted it grief not just because the dog was not supposed to even be there but because the dog was showing clear signs of stress. Dogs that are not a trained service animal have no business being in a store where they do not belong.

 

[buliSBI]

I was in my local CVS last weekend. And a lady was pushing a pet stroller with a small opossum in it.

 

[slowhands]

If it bothers you, call the local health department and file an anonymous complaint.

 

[dannyy315]

Honestly I think it would do good for Target’s brand if they embrace being pet-friendly