I have a relatively new website called Pets of Starbucks. That website is a fun collection of reader-submitted photos of their pets and Starbucks. Sometimes it’s their puppies enjoying a ‘puppaccino’ and sometimes it’s a cute kitty pic. Once in a while these cute critters somehow find themselves wearing the green apron. There’s even one cute little piggy pic.
I hope you’re enjoying the fun pics of pets and Starbucks!
Today, I was visiting the Starbucks at Pacific Place in downtown Seattle and noticed this sign on the community board:
The sign was a good reminder for me that pets don’t belong actually inside a Starbucks store. Service animals are always welcome in the store. The sign explains that the Americans with Disabilities Act requires that service animals be allowed inside stores.
I don’t know if all Starbucks have this signage, but I believe this applies to all stores. As an aside comment, I can say for sure that every California Starbucks is required to have signage citing to California law that only service animals are permitted in the store. At least in California, this is not just a Starbucks requirement, but written into California code.
So thank you to the many, many people who have been sending in photos to Pets of Starbucks. There is a button on the site that says “Submit a photo,” so make it easy for you to submit your pic.
And please, only service animals inside Starbucks stores.
Thank you.
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Probably related to a few incidents that made the news in 2014 where people with service animals were denied access. The sign would help educate staff and reassure customers. Will see if we have similar here.
@DaveZ – I’m sure you’re right about that. I remember those incidents in the news!
Unfortunately the unqualified scofflaws create problems for the folks with true service animals. The scofflaws are the one’s who have made it politically incorrect to challenge a service animal.
I have a friend who is a certified service animal trainer. From him I have learned the subtle keys that distinguish a true service animal from just a pet. The easiest way for me to describe the behavior of a true service animal is to watch a seeing eye dog, an obvious service animal.
Yes, the signs were added everywhere last year after the highly-publicized incidents where some customers were berated for having service animals.
It’s not just politically incorrect to challenge a service animal, it’s a violation of the federal law. And I think Dave is onto something, personally, I think those signs are a reminder to the partners that service animals are permitted.
The problem with the ADA is that it is rife for abuse. In short, a “service animal” does not need to be licensed or particularly trained, ala the traditional seeing-eye dog. There are also dogs that have been trained to fetch help if their owner has an epileptic seizure. The problem is that “service animals” do not need to be identified as such. Because of ADA and HIPAA, if someone says it is a “service animal”, all inquiry must stop, per HIPAA. No proof that it really is a service animal and not a JERK bringing their dog into the store because they are too darn lazy to leave it outside or at home.
I think the only way an alleged “service animal” can be required to leave is if the animal causes a disturbance or becomes a danger to others. Even then, I’m not sure if an alleged “service animal” can legally be required to leave the premises.
Recently the Starbucks that I have been a patron to for several years has clamped down on animals in the store. I was asked if my dog was a service animal which I said she was.
At another visit I was told that my service animal is not allowed to do anything social, such as giving her a puppichino, or being social with the dog in any way. I was a bit miffed and will think twice about going to that Starbucks in the future.