Going grocery shopping always seems to take a long time, and you might want to being your dog with you instead of leaving him at home. If Safeway is your local grocery, store then you might be wondering if they’ll let your pupper in.
Are dogs allowed in Safeway stores? No, dogs aren’t allowed in Safeway stores unless it’s a service dog.
Most dog owners are not allowed to bring their dogs into stores, especially the stores that sell food. As a sanitation issue, stores that deal with edibles and foods for consumption do not allow animals in the store, unless under exceptional circumstances.
Grocery stores are basically not dog friendly because of the guidelines of Federal and local regulations such as the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) involving food safety.
Below is some insight on the Safeway stores’ position regarding dogs inside their grocery stores.
Is Safeway Dog Friendly?
Safeway grocery stores welcome service animals to the store, but since the store is a grocery store, some state rules regarding what is allowed into the store’s space apply.
There have been complaints regarding the customers who bring on their dogs to the grocery store hidden in reusable grocery bags and others straight up walk in with dogs on leashes.
Despite the store welcoming service dogs to the store, people take advantage and bring in what they claim to be a service dog then play ball with the dogs till they get all frisky and jump on shoppers.
This does not appeal to especially people with disabilities, who need these service dogs in Safeway stores.
Official Policy Animal Policy At Safeway Grocery Stores
Dogs are not allowed in Safeway stores. The general rule is that shoppers are not permitted to take dogs inside Safeway stores.
However, visitors with disabilities can be accompanied with service dogs. This allowance is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
Unlike support dogs who are considered pets, service dogs are let in places that have no-pet policies. This is because the store or business is limited by ADA laws and prohibited from separating the dog handlers from their dogs.
A lot of people are taking advantage of “support animals” being allowed into stores such as Safeway to carry their dogs along when they don’t really need to.
The staff of Safeway are not permitted to ask for the dog’s certification or to question the dog owner regarding his disability that prompts the need for a service dog.
If the legitimacy of the service dog is verified by successfully answering questions regarding the dog’s certification, then no further questioning is done.
There is no mechanism provided by the law to help determine the legitimacy of a service dog, and as interfering with the rights of a disabled person is considered a misdemeanor punishable by fine, Safeway is less likely to question people with dogs in the premises.
When it comes to the state laws’ official dog policy in stores, emotional support dogs are not covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act, so they might not be allowed in all locations of Safeway.
However, the Act covers service dogs that aid with psychiatric disorders.
Does The Policy Vary By Location?
Safeway has hundreds of grocery store locations through out the United States. But the official policy for all stores is that only service dogs are allowed inside Safeway stores.
However, there may be some locations where the store managers are more lenient and allow in dogs that are not service dogs.
Animals in grocery stores are considered to be one of the biggest retail peeves, mostly when the so-called “service dogs” don’t behave as service dogs do.
There are other trained service dogs that guide people with disabilities, such as the blind. These dogs are allowed in Safeway stores in all locations because they are considered a legal and humane necessity.
Some people claim to need their dogs to help with things like anxiety. These dogs are referred to as emotional support animals, and they are not allowed inside Safeway stores.
The Final Word
The best advice we can give consumers is to avoid bringing non-service animals to Safeway locations as they are considered a public health issue with it being a grocery store with food.
Such individuals should bring verification or certification if they do have a service animal, and they would like to bring the service animal into a Safeway location.
Of course, some store managers are more accommodating to pet owners, so your doggo may be allowed at your local Safeway — but don’t count on it!
We hope you’ve gained a full understanding of Safeway’s rules and practices regarding dogs.
If you have any additional questions, please reach out to the company, or your local Safeway grocery store, for more specific and detailed information.
My dog is more sanitary than the crap and snot dribbling down people’s kids bodies who touch everything in the aisles. In Europe it’s not even looked at twice if people go to the market with their dog, unless there is obviously a trouble-maker which is a no-brainer.
I walk my dog and would love to swing by the grocery for a few things, maybe a treat with my dog, but I guess we can’t have nice things.
Sadness inside of Safeway.