Why Does Target Not Allow Pets?
Firstly, it’s not just Target but every shop, store, restaurant, or more within the food value chain. The FDA (Federal Drug Administration) prohibits pets or live animals in general from access to food supply because animals can be unsanitary and can therefore contaminate food. Since Target is part of this food value chain, as they also make food and groceries available to shoppers, the FDA regulation that bans live animals on these premises applies to them.
However, this general rule has two key exceptions.
Dogs Owned by Law Enforcement: Dogs owned by law enforcement, i. e the K9 unit, are allowed entry into the grocery stores or food stores. This is to ensure that they do not have one arm tied behind their back when fighting crime when and where necessary. A police officer has to supervise the dog to ensure they do not harm people or cause any avoidable hazard. Certified Service Pets: Pets that have been certified and approved by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) as service pets are allowed entry to Target and other similar grocery stores, food shops, restaurants, etc. However, the individual who requires a service pet as a result of their disability must always be in control of it. Where there are parts of the store that could be at real and obvious risk of a health hazard if exposed to service pets, the store can restrict access to its safer areas.
What Are Service Pets?
According to the ADA, a service animal helps people living with disabilities to carry out specific tasks, which in turn helps them live a more independent life. People living with mental or physical difficulties that limit them from carrying out at least one of life’s key activities usually turn to service pets to mitigate the effects of their disability, which can substantially improve their quality of life. The ADA does not consider service animals as pets but as working animals, as opposed to ESA’s (Emotional Support Animals) which are just pets who do not perform any specific service action.
Types of Service Pets
There are various types of service animals, and they render a wide range of services to people living with disabilities. They include:
Mobility Assistance Animals: As the name implies, mobility assistance animals help individuals with physical disabilities to perform specific mobile or movement-based functions. They can retrieve objects that are out of immediate reach, open doors, and in some cases, even help those with balance issues. They act as a support system to keep them from falling. Hearing Animals: Hearing dogs support the needs of people who have hearing disorders. Besides providing companionship and emotional support, these dogs recognize and respond to auditory cues. They can alert their owners to regular sounds like alarms, fire warning sirens, doorbells, etc. While they most likely may not respond to regular street sounds when outdoors, such as car honking, wind sounds, etc they are trained to take in information from their environment and respond in the best interest of their owners. Medical Emergency Service Animals: These animals are trained to render assistance in the case of medical emergencies. From getting medication for their owners to getting help and in some cases, alerting owners who suffer allergic reactions to the presence of harmful substances in the surrounding area. Guide Animals: These animals help persons with visual impairment to navigate crowded spaces without getting injured. They could be trained to navigate through crowds, recognize traffic signals, open doors, etc. Psychiatric Animals: These types of service pets provide their owners with different forms of therapeutic activities, especially for persons suffering from post-traumatic stress or similar symptoms.
Does Target Require You to Show Proof of Your Pet’s Service Status?
No Target does not require you to show proof of your animal’s service status. Sometimes, businesses can find it difficult to ascertain an animal’s service status. More so when they are averse to customers bringing in pets in the first place. However, while businesses can legally ask about an animal’s service status, it is unlawful to require it as a condition for granting access to the animal and its owner access.
Conclusion
While you might enjoy your pet company friendly, leave them at home on your next visit to Target. Except of course, if they are service pets.
Can any animal be a service animal?
No, only dogs can be service animals which the ADA states.
Are you required to show documented evidence of your disability before entering Target with your service animal?
No, people with disability reserve the right to publicize or not publicize their disability.
