Are Dogs Allowed in Target: Complete Guide

Are Dogs Allowed in Target?

Target is one of the most popular retailers in the United States, offering a wide range of products and services for customers of all ages and backgrounds. Many people enjoy shopping at Target with their families, friends, or even their furry companions. But are dogs allowed in Target? What is Target’s pet policy and how does it affect customers who want to bring their dogs or other pets to the store? In this article, we will answer these questions and provide some useful information for dog owners who want to shop at Target.

Target’s Pet Policy

According to Target’s official website, the company’s pet policy states that “only service animals are allowed in Target stores”. This means that dogs and other pets that are not service animals are not permitted in the store, unless otherwise specified by local laws or store events. A service animal is defined by the ADA as “any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability”. Service animals are not pets, but working animals that assist their handlers with various needs and challenges. Some examples of service animal types and their functions are:

• Psychiatric Service Dogs: These dogs help people with mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or autism, by providing emotional support, calming, grounding, or alerting to potential triggers or crises.
• Medical Alert and Assist Dogs: These dogs help people with medical conditions, such as diabetes, epilepsy, or heart disease, by detecting and alerting to changes in blood sugar, seizures, or cardiac events, or by retrieving medication, calling for help, or performing CPR.
• Seizure Alert and Response Dogs: These dogs help people with epilepsy or other seizure disorders by predicting and alerting to impending seizures, or by providing protection, comfort, or assistance during or after a seizure.
• Guide Dogs: These dogs help people with visual impairments by guiding them through obstacles, traffic, or unfamiliar environments, or by locating objects, people, or places.
• Mobility Assistance Dogs: These dogs help people with physical disabilities or mobility impairments by pulling wheelchairs, opening doors, picking up items, or providing balance, stability, or support.
• Hearing Dogs: These dogs help people with hearing impairments by alerting them to sounds, such as alarms, doorbells, phones, or voices, or by leading them to the source of the sound.
• Severe Allergy Alert Dogs: These dogs help people with life-threatening allergies by detecting and alerting to the presence of allergens, such as peanuts, gluten, or latex, or by retrieving medication, calling for help, or performing CPR.

Reasons for Target’s Pet Policy

Target has a no-pet policy for non-service animals for several reasons. One of the main reasons is to ensure the safety of customers, employees, and animals. Dogs and other pets may pose a risk of biting, scratching, or injuring people or other animals, especially if they are not well-trained, socialized, or supervised. Dogs and other pets may also cause damage to the store’s property, merchandise, or equipment, or create a mess or a hazard with their waste, fur, or saliva. Another reason for Target’s pet policy is to maintain the hygiene and cleanliness of the store. Dogs and other pets may carry diseases, parasites, or allergens that may affect the health of customers, employees, or other animals. Dogs and other pets may also contaminate the store’s food, products, or surfaces with their saliva, urine, feces, or vomit. A third reason for Target’s pet policy is to respect the preferences and rights of customers and employees. Some customers or employees may have allergies, phobias, or dislikes of dogs or other pets, and may feel uncomfortable, annoyed, or threatened by their presence. Some customers or employees may also have religious or cultural beliefs that prohibit or discourage contact with dogs or other pets. Target’s pet policy aims to provide a comfortable, pleasant, and safe shopping experience for everyone.

Exceptions and Enforcement of Target’s Pet Policy

Target’s pet policy may have some exceptions or variations depending on the situation. For example, some local laws or ordinances may allow or require dogs or other pets to enter public places, such as stores, restaurants, or parks, under certain conditions, such as leashing, muzzling, or vaccinating. Some Target stores may also host or participate in special events or promotions that involve dogs or other pets, such as adoption fairs, pet photos, or costume contests. In these cases, Target may allow dogs or other pets to enter the store for a limited time or in a designated area, with the consent and supervision of the store manager and staff. Target employees may enforce the pet policy by asking customers to verify or remove their dogs or other pets if they suspect or observe that they are not service animals. Target employees may ask customers two questions to determine if their dogs or other pets are service animals, according to the ADA:

• Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
• What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

Target employees may not ask customers to provide proof or documentation of their dogs’ service animal status, such as certification, registration, or identification cards, or to demonstrate their dogs’ work or tasks, as these are not required by the ADA. However, Target employees may ask customers to remove their dogs or other pets from the store if they are not service animals, or if they are out of control, disruptive, or threatening, such as barking, growling, jumping, or biting. Customers who refuse to comply with Target’s pet policy may face consequences, such as being asked to leave the store, being banned from the store, or being reported to the authorities.

Tips and Advice for Customers Who Want to Bring Their Service Animals to Target or Find Out if a Store is Dog-Friendly

If you are a customer who wants to bring your service animal to Target, or if you want to find out if a store is dog-friendly, here are some tips and advice to help you:

• Before you go to the store, check the store’s website, social media, or phone number to see if they have any information or updates on their pet policy, or if they have any special events or promotions that involve dogs or other pets.
• When you arrive at the store, look for any signs or notices that indicate the store’s pet policy, or ask a store employee or manager if you have any questions or concerns.
• If you have a service animal, make sure your dog is wearing a harness, vest, or tag that identifies him as a service animal, or carry a card or letter that explains your dog’s service animal status and function. This may help prevent confusion or confrontation with store employees or other customers.
• If you have a service animal, make sure your dog is well-trained, well-behaved, and well-groomed. Keep your dog on a leash or in a carrier, unless doing so interferes with his work or task. Do not let your dog wander, sniff, or touch the store’s products, equipment, or displays. Do not let your dog bark, growl, or bite anyone or anything. Do not feed or water your dog in the store, unless it is necessary for his health or work. Clean up after your dog if he has an accident, and notify a store employee or manager if there is any damage or mess.
• If you have a service animal, be prepared to answer the two questions that store employees may ask you to verify your dog’s service animal status. Be polite and respectful, and explain your dog’s work or task briefly and clearly. Do not argue or lie about your dog’s service animal status, as this may cause trouble for you and other service animal users.
• If you have a non-service animal, do not bring your dog or other pet to the store, unless the store allows it or has a special event or promotion that involves dogs or other pets. If you do bring your dog or other pet to the store, follow the store’s rules and guidelines, and respect the store’s employees