This is NOT ok

[foxgirl158]

For the those who don’t live in America, Walmart is a huge chain store that sells pretty much anything you can think of. Food, outdoor supplies, technology, clothes, household items, the list goes on.

The problem is, they have started selling fake Service Dog vests and ID’s, available to any cruddy person who wants to be able to take their pets everywhere they go. Real service dogs go through extensive training to perform a specific, potentially life saving task for their owners. This can range from anywhere to depression dogs who save people from hurtful thoughts, to seizure alert dogs who can sense when their human is about to have a seizure and alerts them so they can get help in time, to seeing eye dogs who lead blind people. These dogs wear specially ordered vests from a certified service dog organization that say, for example, “cardiac alert dog, do not pet”. Service Dog handlers do not carry around ID’s because the only ID a “service dog” would have would be a fake one, bought from anyone in stores or online.

Walmart has started selling fake service dog vests and ID’s to make money off of the so called “fake service dog trend” that has, unfortunately, exploded in popularity. This “trend” endangers the health and safety of not only service dogs, but those they serve. If, for example, a service dog gets attacked by a pet, the service dog could miss cues from their handler, causing the dog to not perform its task and potentially missing the alert for a deadly incident. The pets who wear fake service dog vests are (most of the time) not trained to be in public, around lots of different people, and in scary situations. Because of this, they are a danger to themselves and others.

This is not my petition, but I have signed and shared it because I believe that this is so incredibly wrong of Walmart to be endangering people and dogs by selling fake ID’s and vests. I will link below the petition that you can sign if you wish, and the pages of the products that Walmart is selling.

Petition link:
https://chng.it/XGZPXPyM2z

Vest links:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Service-...rvice-Dogs-Large-Medium-Small-Sizes/675045910
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Tactical...djustable-No-Pulling-Front-Clip-mol/533456523
There are others that have removable patches that allow people to put their own “service dog” patches on them. Walmart sells these patches too.

ID link:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/100-Pack...th-Flag-Design-3-5-x-2/996543766?athbdg=L1700
This is what constitutes as an ID in the service dog community.

 

[Rocky998]

That is outrageous!

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

Well done that you are raising awareness about this situation.

 

[Oblio]

Why does this not surprise me?

I can't stand Walmart. From the parking lots, to the music they play, and the 'decor', and the smell. The only time I will shop there is if I can't find an item anywhere else and I need it today. I don't care if it is cheaper at Wally World, I'd rather pay a few $$ more shopping local somewhere else. (Hobby Lobby, ACE Hardware, Kroger/Publix etc)

 

[enricosonic]

There are no Walmarts in Seattle, where I live. Partly due to the high cost of real estate. You can find many in suburbs but I've never set foot in one. But the fact they sell fake service dog vests and IDs I had not heard.

Ugh, there are so many "emotional support animals" on buses, planes, in stores and supermarkets, it has become absurd.

I'm all for service dogs for people who have physical disabilities and depend on these animals, even certain mental disabilities where one's animal calms them. Though the latter IMO has opened the door to the widespread abuse of the whole idea. People can claim anxiety on a form, pay a registration fee and can take their pet buddy wherever they go with impunity.

 

[ClownLurch]

Outrageous. No shame at all. Vote with your feet and money please former colonial cousins and Arsenal fans.

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

That is stupid. Shouldn’t it be illegal

 

[OliveFish05]

That is absolutely ridiculous. I am sure businesses that only allow service animals don’t appreciate it either! That’s outrageous

 

[Rocky998]

That is stupid. Shouldn’t it be illegal

It should definitely be illegal.

 

[Deleted member 149562]

It is just like Amazon and others in the UK selling lanyards to show that someone is mask exempt at the height of the pandemic.

Sadly we live in a society that will always have people who take advantage of something that was aimed to be good or helpful to make money

There has to be significant law changes to stop this sort of thing happening but as with alot of bad things thesedays, too many of those who we vote into positions of authority would rather not get involved or when it comes to the public protesting they go along with it only to back out when it really matters at time to vote for those changes to actually happen

This Walmart case is just another sad indictment of how greedy some people can be in taking advantage of those who really do need help genuinely for the sake of inflating their bank balance.

 

[DoubleDutch]

As Non American I think it is pretty outragious this is allowed but what about the people buying these ?

 

[NannaLou]

As Non American I think it is pretty outragious this is allowed but what about the people buying these ?

Have you ever seen the photos on Pinterest that show, “People of Walmart“..? At the risk of insulting many Americans, some of them look like they are a different species…

 

[foxgirl158]

Have you ever seen the photos on Pinterest that show, “People of Walmart“..? At the risk of insulting many Americans, some of them look like they are a different species…

I agree with you there @NannaLou!

 

[biofish]

My first pup, Ellie, was registered as an emotional support dog by my therapist to help deal with my panic attacks. But even so, I realize there is a massive difference between Ellie and professionally trained dogs.

I always make sure to only take her to restaurants that allow dogs regardless of service status on their patios and if we can’t find a restaurant that does that I either leave her at home or on rough days just order the food to go and eat in my car/at home.

I have a backpack to put her in when stores don’t want dogs on the ground, and most stores are completely fine with her as long as she stays in the backpack. But if a store still tells me ‘no’ then I respect their wishes. It’s not that big of a deal. I’ll just come back later when Ellie is home.

I got an official emotional support vest but I hardly ever use it because Ellie isn’t professionally trained. She basically a fluffy lap warmer to distract me or give me comfort, so most of the time I don’t even consider her a service dog, and adhere to the rules around me regarding normal pups.

It’s sad that people can get fake id’s and vests though, especially because actual service dogs serve such an important role in keeping their humans healthy. It’s wrong to try and take advantage of such a system.

Edit: Ellie loves her backpack she’s loved it ever since she realized that it means she can go a lot more places with me

 

[biofish]

Have you ever seen the photos on Pinterest that show, “People of Walmart“..? At the risk of insulting many Americans, some of them look like they are a different species…

As an American, I can confirm people of Walmart are a different species. Aliens that are trying to human.