12/11/2024
Did you know there are several pet friendly stores around the Fort Wayne area to which you can bring a well-mannered, leashed dog? Aside from the obvious pet stores, you can take your dog to some of the home improvement stores like Lowes and Home Depot and farm stores like Rural King and Tractor Supply. Daisy here loves visiting the Vessel Refillery in Leo Crossing as well as Hobby Lobby, Joann Fabric, and Half Price Books. Below is a list we've started of businesses that are pet friendly. Do you know of another we are missing? Comment on this post to let us all know!
The Vessel Refillery
Home depot
Lowes
Rural King
Tractor Supply
Hobby Lobby
Joann Fabric
Michaels
Half Price Books
Clothes Mentor
Barnes and Noble on Thomas Rd
Maurice's on Thomas Rd
Maurice's in Angola
Call ahead to be sure:
Post Office
Sherwin Williams
Banks and Credit Unions
Some restaurants with outdoor seating will allow you to dine outside with your dog (obviously weather permitting and call ahead)
Some shops around the downtown Fort Wayne area
Some shops in Jefferson Pointe
Some stores do not allow pets and only allow service dogs. It is very important as a responsible pet owner that you do not abuse this policy. Claiming a dog is an emotional support animal does not grant that dog the same privileges as a service dog. A service dog is trained to perform a specific service such as a guide dog for the vision impaired, hearing dog for the hearing impaired, mobility assistance dogs, seizure alert dogs, diabetic alert dogs, allergy detection dogs or medical alert dogs. Claiming to have a service dog when you, in fact, do not is not only dishonest, it can actually be hazardous to the individuals who need their service dogs. A true service dog has undergone years of training, is trained to ignore other dogs in order to perform it's service task, is calm and focused in various situations and is vitally important to their handler. According to a service dog brochure from the ADA, "Fake service dogs can hurt the reputation and acceptance of valid service dogs and the disabled persons who truly need those dogs to assist them."
Do not bring pets into:
Menards
Grocery stores
Stores with grocery sections (Walmart, Meijer, Target)
Glenbrook Mall
Allen County Public Library
Do call ahead and ask if your well-mannered, leashed pet can accompany you in their business. You might be surprised at how many stores will say yes! But please respect those stores that say no.
