HEB is synonymous with Texas, our home state. With more than 420 stores across Texas and Mexico, HEB is a part of life here. And, since we like to share so many parts of our lives with our dogs, you might be wondering: are dogs allowed to join HEB?
The quick answer is no, pet dogs are not allowed in HEB stores.
As you will see in this official HEB tweet: “HEB currently only allows service animals in our stores. For the health and safety of all our customers, we do not allow pets in our carts.”
Good morning! HEB currently only allows service animals in our store. For the health and safety of all our customers, we do not allow pets in our carts. Thanks for contacting.
– HEB (@HEB) June 21, 2019
Why not allow dogs in HEB?
HEB – and any other US grocery store – does not allow dogs (except service dogs) in the store due to health regulations.
This is also why dogs are only allowed in outdoor courtyard restaurantNot inside the restaurant.
What if I need to go to the HEB while I’m out?
If you need to buy groceries while out with your dog, the best thing you can do is walk your dog home then tend to go grocery shopping.
Please NEVER leave your dog alone in the car. Temperatures can soar to the point of death even on seemingly mild days. (And don’t forget that there’s always a risk dognapping while you are in the store.)
You have the option of home and curbside delivery from HEB in many areas. With curbside deliveryOrder groceries online, then you and your dog can walk by to pick groceries together.
You can also choose to have groceries delivered from HEB via Instacart.
Is dogs allowed in Central Market?
HEB’s Central Market The stores – which compete with Whole Foods stores – have the same rules as HEB stores: no dogs, except service dogs.
Is it allowed to bring dogs into the Mi Tienda store?
You already know the answer to this question, don’t you?
HEB’s Mi Tienda The stores also do not allow pets in the store, only service dogs.
Who makes the rules about dogs in the grocery store?
While you might at first think that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates grocery stores, you’d be wrong. (However, they do regulate pet foods in grocery stores.)
According to the FDA:
Examples of Food businesses that are NOT regulated by the FDA:
Food retail establishments (i.e. grocery stores, restaurants, cafeterias, and food carts) are regulated by state and local governments.
Farmers markets
Instead, state law prohibits bringing dogs into the grocery store.
Can service dogs join HEB?
Yes, trained service dogs necessary to assist you are allowed at any HEB location under Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
Service animals are defined as dogs that are specifically trained to do work or perform duties for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or duties include instructing the blind, warning the deaf, towing a wheelchair, warning and protecting a person having a seizure, reminding a mentally ill person take medication as prescribed, calm a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or perform other tasks. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The job or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
However, service dogs must perform service for shoppers. (So, for example, if the husband has a service dog, the wife cannot walk the service dog into the store on her own. The dog must be with the person for whom he is a service dog.)
And remember: HEB requires service dogs not to be carried in carts.
In Texas, the HEB’s home state, the law states: “Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 437, Section 437.023 requires food establishments to allow persons with disabilities to bring their service animals into all facilities. areas of premises where customers are generally allowed. “
However, under Texas law, the store has the right to ask the person with a service dog two questions:
“If a person’s disability status is unclear, for the purposes of admission to a public facility with service animals, an employee or manager of the facility may inquire about:
(1) whether a service animal is required because of the person’s disability
(2) the type of work or task for which the service animal is trained to perform. “
Service dogs are not required to wear a vest or any special tag that identifies the dog as a service dog.
Please note that emotional support dogs do not have legal service dog rights.
If your dog is not a trained service dog, do not try to misrepresent your dog as a service dog. Depending on where you live, misrepresent your dog as a service dog may be fined up to $1000.
Be sure to check out our list of Over 100 dog-friendly stores for places you might be able to shop with your dog in your home city.
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