Dogs, cats, and other animals are allowed to enter many places of business, such as bookstores, retail, and clothing stores. Shoppers love being able to walk their dogs and shop at the same time.
If you’re a Safeway shopper, perhaps you’re wondering what their policy is for allowing dogs in the store. If so, continue reading this article to see what I learned!
Does Safeway Allow Dogs?
Safeway allows customers to bring dogs and similar animals into the store if they are service animals. However, regular pets and emotional support animals cannot enter Safeway. Having live animals in a grocery store is considered a health code violation in Canada and the United States.
If you’d like to learn more about Safeway’s full pet policy, their rules for service animals, whether or not all Safeways have the same policy, and more, continue reading for more information.
What is Safeway’s Full Pet Policy?
Safeway’s official pet policy is that no pets are allowed into the store unless they serve a purpose for disabled people. This includes dogs, cats, small purse dogs, and any other pet.
Safeway doesn’t allow dogs because it poses a health and safety risk. Safeway is a grocer and prepares food on the premises, meaning animals being present can cause issues.
Allowing dogs into the store can increase the chance of animal hairs, secretion, and other violations entering food products, making the purchase and consumption unsafe.
The risk of an animal being difficult to control could also result in products being destroyed, customers being bitten, and other potential hazards being caused.
Due to these reasons, customers are urged to respect Safeway’s policy and conduct grocery shopping without their pets in tow.
Following Safeway’s store policy is regarded by other customers as being considerate and mindful of the establishment they are shopping in, and is the recommended course of action.
Does Safeway Allow Service Animals?
While Safeway does not allow pets into their stores, they do allow service animals to enter the store to aid those who are disabled and require assistance.
This does pose a slight risk for customers bringing their pets into Safeway, as store associates are not allowed to ask for paperwork confirming their animal to be a service dog.
However, the store staff can ask questions that confirm or deny the legitimacy of the service animal being brought into Safeway.
Therefore, customers who intend to bend the rules and bring their animal into Safeway are cautioned against doing so. If Safeway believes the customer is lying, they can refuse service.
Customers should also remember that in addition to a no pet policy in Safeway, most state and province laws in Canada and the US also prevent pets from entering grocery stores.
Does Safeway Allow Emotional Support Animals?
Safeway does not allow emotional support animals to enter their stores, as these animals do not fall under the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Canada also does not consider emotional support animals to be service animals. Therefore, Safeway stores both in Canada and the United States prohibit the entrance of these pets.
However, there may be an exception if the emotional support animal is with a customer due to a psychiatric disorder. However, this may vary per store and should be verified before entering.
These pets are not considered service animals, as unlike customers with physical disabilities, leaving support pets at home does not hinder a customer from being able to run their errands.
Customers should not take this policy to mean any disrespect toward those with mental health issues.
It’s recommended that shoppers come to Safeway with a trusted friend or family member if they require emotional support while in public places.
Does Every Safeway Have the Same Pet Policy?
The official Safeway policy for every location across Canada and the United States is that service dogs are the only animals allowed in stores.
However, some Safeway store managers may be more lenient toward this rule, particularly if a customer requires an emotional support pet to alleviate anxiety, OCD, and other mental health issues.
Customers should phone Safeway customer service and ask ahead of time if they feel they require their emotional support pet. However, most Safeway stores will not relax this policy.
Customers are therefore urged to respect the rules of both Safeway stores and provincial/ state laws. Being caught breaking this policy may result in the form of discipline and is best avoided.
Are Other Grocery Stores Pet Friendly?
According to both Canadian and American laws regarding pets in stores, all grocery stores are prohibited from allowing non-service animals into their stores.
This rule is in place to prevent contamination of fresh and packaged foods. Allowing animals near store produce could result in dog hairs, secretion and other contaminants being found.
Another reason for this law is preventing the risk of animals getting loose in the store. This could result in store property being damaged, customers being bitten or scratched and other hazards.
While some grocery stores may be more lenient with allowing emotional support animals in their store, customers are urged to respect local laws and enter the stores without their pets.
One exception to this law is allowing law enforcement dogs to enter a store, as long as they are accompanied by a police officer (for example, if an officer was following a criminal who ran in).
If you want to learn more, you can also read our related articles on whether or not Home Depot allows dogs, if Best Buy allows dogs, and if Kohl’s allows dogs.
Conclusion
Safeway runs a strict no pet policy in all their stores across Canada and the United States.
They do not allow small pets or emotional support pets within the store. However, service animals are permitted if local health and safety laws allow their entrance.
The no pet policy applies to the majority of grocery stores across Canada and the United States, in accordance with provincial and state laws.
While some store managers may be more lenient than others, customers are urged to respect local laws and store policies.
