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Original poster

Animal Discrimination

119 replies

Washingbasquait · 07/11/2025 12:16

As we know, dogs are allowed in John Lewis now, because they have a keen interest in homeware and soft furnishings.

But what about other animals? Why aren’t they allowed? For example, a well trained helper monkey, or maybe a snake? I’d argue a snake is probably less intrusive than a dog, especially a very big, slow moving, obvious one.

My chinchilla has a voucher for free coffee and cake in the cafe but can’t get into the cafe to get the free coffee and cake.

AIBU?

OP posts:
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bridgetreilly · 07/11/2025 20:58

ACatAndHerRoboVac · 07/11/2025 18:42

Yep. My dogs love choosing their own toys in there and they get so much attention from the staff. Although their favourite days out are generally outdoors, they do love to shop at pets at home.

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I have had to stop taking mine into Just4pets because of all the chewy goodness he has helped himself to off the shelves that I have then had to buy.

Coffeeishot · 07/11/2025 19:22

I am not sure how much emotional support you would get from an Aligator!

Annoyeddd · 07/11/2025 19:20

I don't want to buy soft furnishings from a shop where dogs were allowed possibly weeing on things, depositing fleas or slobbering everywhere.
But then JL customers don't have dogs that do such things.

DallasMajor · 07/11/2025 19:16

Do they allow any dogs? The New York subway used to only allow dogs that fitted in bags, which led to some ingenious ideas.

Some hotels only allow small dogs which is definitely discrimination.

I wonder what the JL discount is when dogs piss on the sofas?

Zempy · 07/11/2025 19:15

Where I live there’s a chap takes his pig (huge) about town on a lead. Including into shops.

I can’t say it bothers me.

MrsFrumble · 07/11/2025 19:11

Recently there was a news story in the US about a man who’d been banned from taking his emotional support alligator into Walmart. Makes dogs in John Lewis seem reasonable in comparison.

Emotional support alligator is no longer welcome in Pennsylvania Walmart

Wesley Silva, 60, says he's never had anything but encouraging feedback when he's out and about with Jinseioshi.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna230650

TheeNotoriousPIG · 07/11/2025 19:10

To those of you saying that horses are banned from McDonald's drive-thru, but vehicles are allowed... they banned people from my college going through in their tractors (they were seeing who could get the biggest tractor through... and, you know, it's driving experience in a tight space!) 😁

I saw a sign at a service dog stating, "Working dogs only". I suspected that this might mean guide dogs or similar, but did consider taking my working dogs in... only, they specialise in herding sheep and cattle...

Our local Aldi has a very Facebook-famous cat that likes to keep people company there. There was an outcry when the cat briefly took a break from the store!

BoeotianNightmare · 07/11/2025 18:57

I think chinchillas are allowed in John Lewis as long as they identify as chihuahuas.

GingerPaste · 07/11/2025 18:55

ItsaCATnotalabrador · 07/11/2025 12:17

My corner shop has a sign on the door that says"No parrots allowed in shop". I want to know the story behind that.

😂

Coffeeishot · 07/11/2025 18:48

ACatAndHerRoboVac · 07/11/2025 18:42

Yep. My dogs love choosing their own toys in there and they get so much attention from the staff. Although their favourite days out are generally outdoors, they do love to shop at pets at home.

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We use the groomers at PaH our dog likes to watch the rabbits and look for the hamsters, it is like a day out for him, hair done stroll around the zoo and a "sweetie" from the nice lady on the till 😀

Cherrysoup · 07/11/2025 18:46

bridgetreilly · 07/11/2025 17:53

Pets shops allowing pets seems pretty reasonable to me!

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It's very useful for socialising puppies and getting them used to noisy or bright environments and to get them used to different smells, but the amount leg cocking I see is appalling. The staff tell me owners don't usually tell them!

thenightsky · 07/11/2025 18:44

viques · 07/11/2025 18:35

Duck?

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Why the long face?

thenightsky · 07/11/2025 18:43

ErrolTheDragon · 07/11/2025 17:50

As the old song goes:
oh give me a home where the buffalo roam….
….and I’ll show you a house with a very messy carpet.

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😂

ACatAndHerRoboVac · 07/11/2025 18:42

bridgetreilly · 07/11/2025 17:53

Pets shops allowing pets seems pretty reasonable to me!

Show quote history

Yep. My dogs love choosing their own toys in there and they get so much attention from the staff. Although their favourite days out are generally outdoors, they do love to shop at pets at home.

viques · 07/11/2025 18:35

MsWilmottsGhost · 07/11/2025 18:15

Horse walks into a bar

The barman says....?

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Duck?

Theeternalrocksbeneath · 07/11/2025 18:34

You know, I posted not so long ago in a post about John Lewis allowing dogs in. I have several dogs and would gouge my eyes out before any of the twats would come into a shop with me. My rats though - oh my gosh they would LOVE this! I’m very taken with the idea of marching into my local JL and admonishing them about animal discrimination if they declined to allow my mischief in with me 😄

I’m also eyeing up the chickens now and wondering whether they’d like a day out…

MsWilmottsGhost · 07/11/2025 18:15

WorriedRelative · 07/11/2025 14:52

The pub I occasionally visit on horseback has a photo in the bar of the local MFH on his horse inside the bar, he's ducking to avoid the beams. Must have been tight through the door....

Horse walks into a bar

The barman says....?

3smallpups · 07/11/2025 18:14

Our local boots was once closed for the afternoon with a sign on the door saying “ loose ferret “ , I assumed had escaped but maybe taken to choose some makeup ?

MsWilmottsGhost · 07/11/2025 18:13

defrazzled · 07/11/2025 15:58

Ohhh it has happened, in Bradford I have read a few, this was NYorks:
https://www.nickfreemansolicitors.co.uk/court-appearance-for-being-drunk-in-charge-of-a-horse/
We use the bridleway, the road would be reckless endangerment of an animal if your so wasted you slump to the side and fall asleep (I have genuinely seen this on more than 1 ocassion)

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I had to check it wasn't my mate 😂

Nope different part of the country.

MsWilmottsGhost · 07/11/2025 18:12

Serencwtch · 07/11/2025 12:24

Yeah it's annoying as I used to ride my horse to the pub garden & local park for an ice cream from the kiosk but both now only allow dogs which is annoying.

A friend of mine used to ride her horse to the pub, she said it was the best pub transport as she could get shit faced and the horse would still get her home 😂

CurlewKate · 07/11/2025 17:57

Dacatspjs · 07/11/2025 12:36

Yes, there's a rail outside. I didn't think it was that unusual, I can think of quite a few pubs that have them!!! Just my world I guess!

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Several pubs in my world too. Also a very nice cafe!

bridgetreilly · 07/11/2025 17:53

Cherrysoup · 07/11/2025 13:00

You're not telling me that the dogs I frequently see in Pets at Home are service trained?!

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Pets shops allowing pets seems pretty reasonable to me!

bridgetreilly · 07/11/2025 17:51

Celestialmoods · 07/11/2025 12:18

Can your chinchilla be trained as a service animal like a dog can though?

It’s not just service animals in John Lewis!

ErrolTheDragon · 07/11/2025 17:50

Haffiana · 07/11/2025 14:10

I agree OP. It is discrimination, and I suspect it is aimed against pet bison.

As the old song goes:
oh give me a home where the buffalo roam….
….and I’ll show you a house with a very messy carpet.

VenusClapTrap · 07/11/2025 16:11

HundredMilesAnHour · 07/11/2025 13:26

I’ve certainly taken my pony to the pub (garden / car park) a few times in the past.

My dwarf hamster is pretty well travelled and has been to my dentist, my PT gym and Fortnum. She’s probably one of the few pets that has travelled in the pods at Heathrow T5, and had her own seat and ticket in First Class on a TGV (had to buy a ‘dog ticket’)

Although I noticed this week that a hotel we usually stay in when travelling at Christmas has suddenly changed their T&Cs to exclude any animals except dogs from staying there which potentially scuppers our travel plans next month. So that’s definitely animal discrimination!

I have a friend whose cat was the first feline to travel on Concorde. He used to refer to her as his ‘supersonic pussy.’