Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
Many pet owners probably wish they could magically sneak their furry friends into every nook and cranny of their lives, even in grocery stores where they are almost always forbidden. This desire for constant companionship with pets has just sparked new debates, as seen recently with a controversial photo of a cat in an Aldi shopping trolley, raising concerns over hygiene and highlighting discussions about the rights of assistance animals under disability laws.
A photo circulating on social media of a cat happily sitting in a shopping trolley at an Aldi store in Jerrabomberra in Canberra’s south-west, Australia, has divided shoppers.
Taking to the Aldi Fans in Australia Facebook page last week, a customer uploaded the controversial picture with a caption that read: “Here is something that is rare to see in an Aldi store.
RELATED:
A photo circulating on social media of a cat happily sitting in a shopping trolley at an Aldi store in Australia divided shoppers
Image credits: Anne Marie Powell
“It is the first time I have ever seen an assistance cat anywhere in public.”
The picture in question was rather funny-looking, showcasing the cute feline patiently staying inside the baby seat part of a trolley while wearing a green harness around its neck.
While some Facebook users who commented on the post thought the addition of the animal to the shopping cart was adorable, others slammed the move as “unhygienic,” as per The Daily Mail.
An animal must also be accredited as trained to assist people living with disabilities, Aldi said
Image credits: Ibrahim Guetar
A person commented: “So anyone can buy a harness for an animal and call it an assistance pet and take it anywhere. Ridiculous.”
Another commentator wrote: “Yuck! Assistance or not. I don’t believe animals should be allowed in our trolleys where we put our food.”
An additional Facebook user penned: “How unhygienic to have a cat in a food supermarket.”
Other angry Aldi fans pointed out they were allergic to cats and argued that the animal posed a health hazard, as a person wrote: “My kids would be in trouble if they sat there after this cat! They have severe allergies.”
Some people thought the addition of the animal to the shopping cart was adorable while others slammed the move as “unhygienic”
Image credits: rawpixel
A handful of people were more focused on maintaining respect for those who need an assistance animal to help with their disabilities.
A spokesperson for the German supermarket chain said the company’s policy on animals was guided by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Australia), as per the Daily Mail.
The Act states a creature is considered an assistance animal if it is “trained to assist a person with a disability.” Moreover, the animal must also be accredited as trained to assist people living with disabilities under the law of a state or territory.
Additionally, the animal must “meet the standards of hygiene and behavior that are appropriate for an animal in a public place,” as well as help people living with disabilities in conducting everyday tasks.
Cats can be emotional support animals, US Service Animals said
Image credits: InstaWalli
Service dogs are most notably used as assistance animals. According to the United Disabilities Services Foundation, service dogs play a vital role in the lives of people with disabilities ranging from autism to muscular dystrophy. They also help their owners perform day-to-day tasks, and some are specially trained for people with diabetes, epilepsy, or PTSD.
Nevertheless, US Service Animals notes that cats can be emotional support animals, even if they can’t be trained as service animals.
While service animals are trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities, therapy animals provide comfort and emotional support in various settings. Moreover, emotional support animals offer companionship and support to individuals with mental health conditions.
Each type of animal serves a distinct purpose and has different legal rights and protections.
The cat picture posted on Facebook ignited more divided feelings
What do you think ?
Debby Keir 10 months ago
That would be illegal in the UK (and, I think, in the EU) Only registered service animals (usually guide dogs) are allowed in shops that sell food. We don't have the same rules as some countries that allow our pet iguana to be our 'emotional wellbeing support critter'.
Paulina 10 months ago (edited)
Not every EU country has regulations/laws about pets in stores, but yes, in general European pets are not welcome in shops unless stated otherwise.
Load More Replies...
BoredPangolin 10 months ago
Hey, I absolutely LOVE cats, have 2, had cats all my life, and would LOVE to bring them anywhere to smooth anxiety... BUT! I'm not alone on this planet. Some people have (severe) cat allergies, some people fear cats, and cats aren't so magical that it makes them okay in a food store for everyone. If I insist cats should be allowed, why not dogs? (any dog, beyond service dogs), domestic rats, parrots, dwarf pigs, and why not your darn full size horse? I think we can agree that for many reasons, pets shouldn't be allowed in food stores, pharmacy, and even in-door restaurants unless they are service animals. And by service animals, I mostly mean life-saving service dogs for the blinds, for seizure detection, and such severe condition. "Emotional support" isn't one of them. Think of the others. You might feel supported while shopping, what about other people?
Anyone-for-tea? 10 months ago
To be fair, cats are cleaner than most small children that sit in those seats and most adults that push the trollies! But the noise etc isn’t suitable for cats and like you say we are not alone on this planet. In the supermarket I nearly had a heart attack and stifled a scream, when I put my hand into the shelf to get some cereal and there was a f-ing humongous furry spider there, thankfully, it was a Halloween decoration, but the fact it was partially hidden threw me! And I would never go shopping if someone was walking around with their emotional support spider on their shoulder!
Load More Replies...
Ken Beattie 10 months ago
Hah that was my thought too. When I read people complaining about how unhygienic the cat would be I was like and a 2 year old would be better? A cat wouldn't really bother me, but I think allowing pets (not service animals, just pets) into stores like this is a problem waiting to happen. Bunnings has been welcoming dogs for awhile now. Recently a small dog was attacked and killed (pretty horribly) in a Bunnings in front of everyone by a large dog. I believe it's better to leave the pets at home. Minimize the risk of problems.
Load More Replies... Debby Keir 10 months ago
That would be illegal in the UK (and, I think, in the EU) Only registered service animals (usually guide dogs) are allowed in shops that sell food. We don't have the same rules as some countries that allow our pet iguana to be our 'emotional wellbeing support critter'.
Paulina 10 months ago (edited)
Not every EU country has regulations/laws about pets in stores, but yes, in general European pets are not welcome in shops unless stated otherwise.
Load More Replies... BoredPangolin 10 months ago
Hey, I absolutely LOVE cats, have 2, had cats all my life, and would LOVE to bring them anywhere to smooth anxiety... BUT! I'm not alone on this planet. Some people have (severe) cat allergies, some people fear cats, and cats aren't so magical that it makes them okay in a food store for everyone. If I insist cats should be allowed, why not dogs? (any dog, beyond service dogs), domestic rats, parrots, dwarf pigs, and why not your darn full size horse? I think we can agree that for many reasons, pets shouldn't be allowed in food stores, pharmacy, and even in-door restaurants unless they are service animals. And by service animals, I mostly mean life-saving service dogs for the blinds, for seizure detection, and such severe condition. "Emotional support" isn't one of them. Think of the others. You might feel supported while shopping, what about other people?
Anyone-for-tea? 10 months ago
To be fair, cats are cleaner than most small children that sit in those seats and most adults that push the trollies! But the noise etc isn’t suitable for cats and like you say we are not alone on this planet. In the supermarket I nearly had a heart attack and stifled a scream, when I put my hand into the shelf to get some cereal and there was a f-ing humongous furry spider there, thankfully, it was a Halloween decoration, but the fact it was partially hidden threw me! And I would never go shopping if someone was walking around with their emotional support spider on their shoulder!
Load More Replies... Ken Beattie 10 months ago
Hah that was my thought too. When I read people complaining about how unhygienic the cat would be I was like and a 2 year old would be better? A cat wouldn't really bother me, but I think allowing pets (not service animals, just pets) into stores like this is a problem waiting to happen. Bunnings has been welcoming dogs for awhile now. Recently a small dog was attacked and killed (pretty horribly) in a Bunnings in front of everyone by a large dog. I believe it's better to leave the pets at home. Minimize the risk of problems.
Load More Replies... You May Like 50 Feline Drama Queens Who Couldn't Keep Their Meows To Themselves (New Pics) 50 Wholesome Animal Memes That Might Just Turn Your Day Around You Might Want To Stop Everything You’re Doing And Ogle At These 50 Hilarious Cat Memes
Gabija Palšytė
Viktorija Ošikaitė
Mindaugas Balčiauskas
Related on Bored Panda
33
38