By Paul Waldmiller
Did you know that Publix Super Markets is once again demanding that you no longer bring your pets in their stores?
Some customers are beginning to notice large signs placed at the entrance of Publix grocery stores throughout the state of Florida. The signs are reminding shoppers that Publix policy dictates that the only pets allowed are “emotional support animals.”
When reading the rather large signs, they state in part, “under federal law, service animals are dogs or miniature horses trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities, and the Food and Drug Administration does not allow nonservice animals.” Under the FDA rule, indeed, dogs and other animals are not allowed in grocery stores as well as restaurants and other places where food is prepared. The only exception to the rule, are service dogs.
In 2018, Publix also placed similar signs at their market entrances that read similarly, “for food safety reasons, only service animals that are specifically trained to aid a person with disabilities are permitted within the store. Service animals are not permitted to sit or ride in shopping carts.”
It appears that Publix has slightly modified its position pertaining to allowing only service animals in its stores from the 2018 notifications.