Are dogs allowed in Target in 2024? (Pet policy explained)

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Are you a frequent shopper at Target and you want to know if your furry friend can accompany you shopping at Target? Are dogs allowed in Target in 2024?

Well, this is the right article to find out! This article will answer questions like “is Target pet friendly? Is Target Dog friendly? And a whole lot more related to this topic. With that said, let’s dig right into the topic!

Table of Contents

Are dogs allowed in Target?

Most individuals enjoy taking a walk or going on a trip with their pets. In a situation where you need to get yourself some groceries at a grocery store like Target, you may wonder if your dogs would be allowed in? The answer is quite straightforward. Target does not allow pets into the store.

Target like other retail stores like Walmart and Costco does not allow pets inside the store due to some safety reasons which would be discussed in this article hence Target is a non-pet-friendly store.

Although, the retail store is strict with the ‘no pet policy’ you should note that only service dogs are allowed entrance into Target. Read on to know why service dogs are only allowed into Target.

Why are service dogs allowed into Target?

Service dogs are specifically trained to assist disabled individuals. They are allowed into Target for this reason. Service dogs are trained to tackle challenges faced by their owners with disabilities.

For instance, blind individuals may be led to walk around with the help of service dogs trained in that area. If they intend shopping at Target, they would need the assistance of the service dogs to help them browse through the store.

Service dogs also met with the duty of reminding their owners to take their medication to avoid having an anxiety attack. They also employ strict supervision on the blood sugar level of its owners suffering from diabetes as they stand to notify them when their blood sugar level goes higher or lower than average.

What types of service animals are there?

Only dogs can play the role of a service animal with that said other pets like cats, birds, and regular dogs are not allowed into Target. Below are the service animals allowed into Target;

Psychiatric Service Dogs

These dogs are trained to assist individuals with physiological issues like anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, or autism. They support and see to it that patients are faithful in taking medications given to them. They are playing a vital role in helping folks with psychological illnesses live like normal individuals.

Medical Alert And Assist Dogs

These are special dogs trained to alert diabetic patients to their blood sugar levels when it goes higher or lower than the average level. They also render help in terms of medical treatment.

Seizure Alert And Response Dogs

This kind of service helps patients suffering from convulsions anytime a seizure occurs.

Convultion is known to be a threat to an individual suffering from it hence there is a need for a watchdog to oversee the situation by calling for assistance when met with it.

Guide Dogs

Guide dogs are trained for enabling visually impaired individuals to experience easy movement with its assistance.

Individuals who suffer from color blindness also need the help of guide dogs to help support them with traffic signals.

Mobility Assistance Dogs

They assist their owners with poor balancing carry or fetch items. Other tasks they perform are pushing wheelchairs, opening doors, turning lights switches off, etc.

Hearing Dogs

Hearing dogs assist individuals met with hearing disabilities. They render services and alert their owners to regular sounds like doorbells, fire alarms, phone rings, and baby cries. They nudge their owners to get their attention to a happening situation.

Note: Dogs not trained in these areas cannot be allowed into Target.

Does Target ask if your dog is a service dog?

Target employees do not ask their customers to provide proof of their dogs being service dogs. It is an illegal act to do so.

They are only allowed to ask their customers two questions which are if the dog is a service animal and its functions. Any question aside these are termed illegal according to the ADA’s Handlers rights.

For easy identification it is advisable you get your service dog the neon jacket commonly worn by most service dogs.

Conclusion

Is Target pet friendly, is Target dog friendly?

Before taking your pet to Target, make sure it’s a service animal as regular pets aren’t allowed in Target. In case you are left with no options then take your pet to the store, find a safe place to keep it, and go on with your shopping. Make sure you do not stay in for long for safety purposes.

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