Does Aldi Allow Dogs in 2024? Answering Pet Owners‘ Top Questions
Over 90 million dogs are kept as pets in the United States. It‘s no wonder so many dog owners want to take their canine companions along on errands like grocery shopping. But does the popular discount grocery chain Aldi allow dogs in stores? What about service dogs? Let‘s take a detailed look at Aldi‘s pet policy.
Aldi‘s Policy: No Pets Allowed, Service Dogs Only
Aldi clearly states that non-service animals are prohibited from entering their stores. I contacted Aldi customer service directly in January 2023 and this policy remains firmly in place.
The reasons relate to Aldi‘s meticulous operations and commitment to food safety. Allowing pets could disrupt Aldi‘s careful system.
| Year | Aldi U.S. Store Count |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 2,200 stores |
| 2023 | 2,500 stores (projected) |
With over 2,500 stores and counting, maintaining consistency and cleanliness at scale is crucial for Aldi. Introducing uncontrolled animal variables poses risks.
Additionally, Aldi prioritizes efficiency in all aspects. Shopping with pets could slow down the process and frustrate staff and customers alike.
Why Service Dogs Get a Pass
Aldi welcomes trained service dogs assisting disabled individuals, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA guarantees those with disabilities equal access to public places like stores and restaurants.
The ADA applies to any dog individually trained to perform disability-related tasks like:
- Guiding visually impaired individuals
- Alerting hearing impaired individuals
- Pulling wheelchairs
- Alerting to oncoming seizures
- And more
Emotional support animals (ESAs) do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. ESAs provide comfort through their presence, but are not trained for particular tasks.
Between 2011 and 2019, the number of ESA letters written annually grew over 1,000%, from ~55,000 to ~824,000. But ESAs still have no public access rights.
Store employees may ask:
- Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
They cannot ask about the person‘s disability, require special ID, or request a dog demonstration.
How Other Grocery Chains Handle Pets
Aldi is not alone in restricting pets. Numerous chains cite food safety and sanitation in their policies.
| Chain | Pet Policy |
|---|---|
| Trader Joe‘s | No pets allowed |
| Whole Foods | No pets allowed |
| Costco | No pets allowed |
| Target | Service dogs only |
Exceptions exist, but are rare. TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Marshalls, and Sierra Trading Post permit leashed pets in carts. Petco allows leashed pets in stores.
Shopping at Aldi With Pets
Don‘t despair pet parents! You have options for shopping at Aldi with dogs in tow.
- Use curbside pickup: Available at many locations, just order online and grab bags outside
- Try delivery: Instacart and other services will bring Aldi right to your door
- Come alone and make it quick: For short trips, leave pets at home with toys and treats
- Take turns with a partner: One shops while the other hangs with the pups
The bottom line? While pets aren‘t allowed at Aldi, pet owners can still enjoy the savings with planning and preparation. As long as ADA service dog rights are protected, it‘s a fair compromise.
