Once you have a dog, you are aware that it is not a pet of yours, but a family member. Of course, you would want to take them shopping and on an outing. But not all shops or outlets permit pets. Some businesses allow pets, and some do not allow dogs because of hygiene and safety, among others.
This blog will specifically address the pet policy of Target, such as whether dogs should be allowed in Target, the policies of service animals, and the limitations on emotional support animals.
Target Official Pet Policy: Permitted Pets?
The answer to this is a short and straight No. Target is a non-pet-friendly retailer. This implies that you would not be able to carry your pets along shopping.
Target generally does not allow pets. To maintain hygiene, safety, and customer comfort, their standard rule is: Only service animals are allowed. This rule is followed even more strictly because of the grocery and cafe sections.
The Big Exception: Service Animals & The ADA
Pets are not normally allowed at Target, but there is one special exception:
Service Animals Are Allowed. Target accepts service animals since they have protection under the ADA.
This implies that a disabled individual cannot be denied entrance by Target in case they have a trained service dog.
What is a Service Animal?
A service animal means:
- A dog that has been specially trained
- To assist a person with a disability
- And performs specific tasks
Examples of Service Dog Tasks:
- Guiding a blind person (vision impairment)
- Providing alerts/assistance during seizures
- Giving a trained response in the case of a panic attack or anxiety (not just comfort, but trained work)
A service dog provides trained, task-based assistance.
What About Emotional Support Animals?
This is the point where most individuals become confused. Can emotional support dogs be in Target?
Typically no. ESAs are not recognized as service animals under the ADA. An ESA is comforting and emotionally stable, which is certainly legitimate and beneficial, but they are not trained to do disability-related work as service dogs are.
This implies that Target is not obligated by law to permit ESAs within.
Why Do People Still Bring ESAs Into Stores?
Sometimes you may see emotional support dogs or pets inside Target because:
- Employees may not confront customers
- Customers claim the dog is a service animal
- Staff may not want a conflict
- Some stores enforce rules more strictly than others
But the general rule remains the same:
Target is not a pet-friendly store.
Why Does Target Not Allow Pets?
Target isn’t trying to be rude to pet lovers. In fact, many Target employees love dogs too. But there are several reasons why stores like Target have strict rules about pets.
Here are the biggest reasons:
1. Hygiene and Cleanliness
Target sells things like:
- Groceries
- Snacks and beverages
- Fresh produce
- Baby products
- Clothing and bedding
- Cosmetics and personal care items
Even if your dog is clean, pets inside a store can create hygiene concerns. Accidents happen, shedding happens, and not everyone wants an animal near food areas.
2. Customer Allergies
Other customers are seriously allergic to pet dander. Target must ensure that the environment is safe and comfortable for all, not only for the pet owners.
3. Safety Concerns
Not all dogs react the same in public spaces. Calm dogs may suddenly become scared, bark, or behave unpredictably in the presence of:
- People
- Kids running around
- Loud carts
- Bright lights
Target wants to prevent any situation where someone could get hurt or uncomfortable.
4. Fear
A lot of individuals are sincerely scared of dogs, including small ones. The presence of pets may cause stress and fear among customers who do not anticipate animals in a retail store.
5. Store Rules and Liability
Retail shops are required to adhere to safety measures and minimize the risk of liability. When a pet bites and/or causes damage or a fall to a person, then it is a legal and functional problem for the store.
So it might not seem fair, but the policy of Target is largely about safety, hygiene, and conformity of the population.
What Can Target Employees Ask You? (The Two Questions Rule)
People think that targeted employees can ask for documents/evidence, but according to ADA rules, their questions are limited.
Target employees can only ask two questions:
- Is this service animal necessary due to a disability?
- What is the thing or activity that this dog has been trained to do?
That’s it. Nothing more.
What Can’t Target Employees Ask?
Target staff cannot legally ask you these things:
- What disability do you have?
- Show me your medical papers.
- Do you have a service dog ID?
- Show proof that your dog is registered.
Even if Target follows the only service dogs allowed rule, they have to respect the ADA rules and boundaries.
Can Target remove a service dog?
Yes, in some situations, Target can even remove a legitimate service dog.
Service dogs are allowed, but the condition is that the dog must be:
- Under control
- Properly behaved
- House-trained
Target can remove a service dog if:
- The dog is aggressive
If the dog growls, bites, or creates a dangerous situation.
- The dog is not under control
For example:
- running around the store
- jumping on customers
- not following the handler’s commands
- Excessive barking
Some barking may be normal, but continuously creating a disturbance is not allowed.
Follow These Tips Before Going to Target
If you want to go to Target with your dog, these tips will come in handy:
- Don’t assume small dog = allowed.
Even small dogs are considered pets unless they are service animals.
- Call your local Target
Rules may be the same everywhere, but they may be enforced differently.
- Choose pet-friendly stores
To bring your dog, you can go to:
- Petco
- PetSmart
- Outdoor malls
- Use Target Drive Up/Pickup
Target offers these options:
- Drive Up
- Order Pickup
- Delivery
You can easily shop without leaving your dog alone.
Final Verdict: Are Dogs Allowed in Target?
So the final answer is: Only trained service dogs are allowed in Target.
Pet dogs and emotional support animals are usually not allowed.
Target maintains this rule because they want:
- Hygiene
- Safety
- Allergies
- Customer comfort
- Legal standards
If you are unsure, the best option:
- Call the store
- By using Drive Up/Pickup
- Prefer pet-friendly stores
