As a picky shopper and retail expert, I know how important it is to thoroughly understand store policies before you go shopping, especially when it comes to bringing along furry friends. If you‘re a pet owner who frequents Safeway, you‘ve likely wondered about their official stance on allowing dogs and other animals inside. Let‘s take a detailed look at Safeway‘s rules and the reasoning behind them.
The Scoop on Safeway
With over 900 locations across 18 states, Safeway is one of the largest grocery chains in the U.S. In 2015, they merged with Albertsons to create a network of over 2,200 stores that sees millions of shoppers each week. As of 2022, Safeway holds an 8.2% market share in the retail grocery industry.[^1]
Given their size, Safeway has a massive impact on the shopping experience for people across the country. Their policies, from mask requirements to coupon usage to pet allowances, affect a significant portion of the population. So what exactly is their stance on dogs and other pets in stores?
Safeway‘s Official Pet Policy
To cut to the chase – Safeway stores do not allow pet dogs or other animals, with the sole exception of trained service dogs. According to their website, "For food safety reasons, only service animals assisting those with disabilities are permitted in the store. No other animals are allowed."[^2]
This policy is in line with FDA regulations and local health codes that prohibit live animals inside establishments that sell or prepare food. The main concern is the potential for contamination from animal hair, dander, urine/feces, and other germs. The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that "animals can carry pathogens that can cause illness and even death in humans."[^3]
Research has shown that 60-80% of infectious diseases in humans originated from animals.[^4] In a setting like a grocery store, where unwrapped produce, bulk bins, fresh meats, and prepared foods are the norm, minimizing contact with animals is critical to prevent the spread of disease. This is especially important for Safeway as a national chain, to maintain consistency and avoid costly health code violations.
From a liability standpoint, prohibiting pets also reduces the risk of bites, scratches, or other injuries to customers or employees. Even the friendliest dogs can lash out when feeling threatened or overwhelmed by strangers or unfamiliar environments. Stores can be held responsible if a pet causes harm while on premises.
The Exception for Service Animals
It‘s important to note that under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Safeway must permit service animals that are trained to assist people with disabilities. This is not considered a "pet" situation – these dogs (and in some cases, miniature horses) are working animals that perform specific tasks.
Some examples of service dog roles include guiding the blind, alerting deaf individuals to sounds, pulling a wheelchair, detecting seizures, or calming a person with PTSD during an anxiety attack.[^5] Emotional support animals, however, do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. They are not trained for a specific job other than providing companionship.
Understandably, it can be difficult for store employees to distinguish pets from service animals, as there is no required uniform or certification. Legally, staff may only ask if an animal is a service dog, and what tasks it is trained to perform – they cannot demand to see an ID card or inquire about the specifics of a person‘s disability.[^6]
This "loophole" does lead to some pet owners attempting to circumvent the rules by claiming their dog is a service animal even when it‘s not. A 2016 survey found that 19% of all dog owners admitted to misrepresenting a pet as a service animal at least once.[^7] Safeway has to balance ADA compliance with health code enforcement, which can be a challenge.
How Do Other Stores Compare?
Safeway is certainly not alone in its "service dogs only" policy. Nearly all major grocers, including Kroger, Publix, Whole Foods, Aldi, and Trader Joe‘s, have the same restrictions. Many explicitly state on their websites or store signage that emotional support animals are not permitted.
Costco, the world‘s third largest retailer, is known for being particularly strict. They only allow service dogs that are visibly identified with a special cart or harness, and do not let them ride in shopping carts.[^8] Perhaps their $4.99 rotisserie chickens are too tempting for hungry pooches to resist!
On the flip side, a handful of national retailers welcome well-behaved pet dogs openly. Bass Pro Shops, Tractor Supply Co., Lowe‘s, and Nordstrom have reputations for being dog-friendly. However, these stores primarily sell non-food items, so there is less risk of contamination compared to a supermarket.
Accommodating Pandemic Pets
An interesting trend to consider is the boom in pet adoptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. An estimated 23 million American households acquired a cat or dog since March 2020.[^9] With more people working remotely and spending time at home, furry companions have become an even bigger part of daily life.
This means that a larger portion of Safeway‘s customer base may want to bring Fido along for the weekly grocery trip. Could we see a relaxing of restrictions to appeal to pandemic pet owners? It‘s unlikely given the liability issues, but there may be an increased push for pet-friendly accommodations in the future.
Some ideas that Safeway and other grocers could consider:
- Designated "dog parking" areas outside the front entrance with water bowls and waste bags
- Special shopping carts with built-in pet carriers for small dogs
- "Doggy daycare" services in the parking lot while owners shop
- Pet treat samples or coupons handed out to four-legged visitors
- "Dog days" where leashed, well-behaved dogs are allowed for certain hours
While it may not be feasible to allow pets to roam the aisles, finding creative ways to include them could be a smart way to engender goodwill and loyalty among pet-owning customers.
What About Pet Food Delivery?
If you can‘t physically bring your pet to Safeway, technology is increasingly making it easier to stock up on kibble and treats without leaving home. Online ordering for curbside pickup or delivery has exploded in popularity, especially during the pandemic.
Safeway has invested heavily in its e-commerce capabilities in recent years. Its partnership with Instacart allows for same-day delivery in as little as one hour.[^10] In 2021, Safeway expanded its Drive Up & Go pickup service to over 1,200 stores.[^11] For a $4.95 fee, shoppers can order their groceries online and have them loaded into their car by a Safeway associate.
These options are incredibly convenient for customers juggling pets, kids, and busy schedules. As someone who‘s had to wrangle a rambunctious puppy while unloading 20 bags of groceries, I can attest to the appeal of letting someone else do the heavy lifting!
Safeway has promoted its e-commerce services as a way to "skip the store, not your favorite foods and everyday essentials."[^12] It will be interesting to see if they specifically market these options to pet owners as an alternative to in-store shopping. Targeted ads featuring dogs anxiously awaiting their food delivery could be a cute way to capture this audience.
The Bottom Line for Pet Owners
At the end of the day, Safeway‘s pet policy is unlikely to change anytime soon. The health and safety considerations are simply too significant to ignore, and the legal requirements around service animals must be respected. It can be frustrating for animal lovers, but it‘s important to remember that these rules exist for a reason.
If you‘re a Safeway regular with a furry friend, your best bet is to take advantage of their online shopping options or make alternative arrangements for your pet while you‘re inside the store. With some creativity and planning, you can still ensure your pet is happy and your pantry is well-stocked.
Of course, if you have ideas for how Safeway could be more inclusive of pets, don‘t hesitate to reach out to their customer service team. The more feedback they receive, the more likely they are to consider new accommodations. As a proud dog mom myself, I‘m always looking for ways to make life easier for my canine companion.
In the meantime, give your pet an extra treat and belly rub the next time you return home from a Safeway run. They may not be able to join you in the store, but they‘ll always be grateful for the goodies you bring back!
[^1]: Statista Research Department. "U.S. Supermarkets: Unit Sales Share by Region." Statista, 2 Aug. 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/240481/us-supermarkets-sales-share-by-region/.[^2]: "Can I Bring My Pet into the Store?" Safeway, https://www.safeway.com/faq/store-policies/can-i-bring-my-pet-into-the-store.html. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
[^3]: "Animal Health." American Veterinary Medical Association, https://www.avma.org/resources/public-health/animal-health. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
[^4]: Gebreyes, W. A., et al. "The Global One Health Paradigm: Challenges and Opportunities for Tackling Infectious Diseases at the Human, Animal, and Environment Interface in Low-Resource Settings." PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, vol. 8, no. 11, Nov. 2014, p. e3257. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0003257.
[^5]: "Service Dogs." U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, 15 Sept. 2010, https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm.
[^6]: "Service Animals." U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, 24 Feb. 2020, https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html.
[^7]: Schoenfeld-Tacher, Regina, et al. "Public Perceptions of Service Dogs, Emotional Support Dogs, and Therapy Dogs." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 14, no. 6, June 2017, p. 642. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14060642.
[^8]: "Are All Service Animals Allowed in the Warehouse?" Costco Wholesale, https://customerservice.costco.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/717/~/are-all-service-animals-allowed-in-the-warehouse%3F. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
[^9]: White, Martha C. "Welcome to the ‘Petriarchy‘: Pet Parents Now Outspend Parents of Human Children." NBC News, 11 Apr. 2022, https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/welcome-petriarchy-pet-parents-now-outspend-parents-human-children-rcna23631.
[^10]: "Groceries Delivered in as Little as 1 Hour." Instacart, https://www.instacart.com/store/safeway/storefront. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
[^11]: Redman, Russell. "Albertsons Expands Online Grocery Pickup Service." Supermarket News, 1 Oct. 2021, https://www.supermarketnews.com/online-retail/albertsons-expands-online-grocery-pickup-service.
[^12]: "Safeway Drive Up & Go." Safeway, https://www.safeway.com/faq/online-shopping/drive-up—go.html. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
