How far will Giant grocery stores go with allowing comfort animals? [letter]

I am writing to express my concern about the growing issue of comfort animals being brought into grocery stores, particularly when it comes to snakes and other unusual animals.

I understand that animals can provide comfort and emotional support to people, and I recognize that service animals play an important role in helping individuals with disabilities. However, there is a difference between recognizing these needs and allowing animals of all kinds into places where food is prepared, displayed and sold.

The question I have is simple: How far will Giant grocery stores allow this to go? Will customers eventually be expected to accept snakes and other unconventional animals in grocery aisles while shopping for their family’s food?

Grocery stores have a responsibility to maintain a clean, sanitary and comfortable environment for all their customers. Not everyone is comfortable around snakes, and some people may be frightened by them. Customers should not have to worry about encountering an unexpected animal while shopping for groceries.

This is not about being unkind to people who need emotional support. It is about common sense, food safety, reasonable boundaries and respect for all customers. Emotional support animals and legally recognized service animals are not necessarily treated the same under the law, and stores should have clear policies that reflect that distinction.

I believe that Giant owes its customers a clear explanation.…Read more by