The California Service Animals Window Cling may be used by businesses with glass entrances, storefronts, or other smooth surfaces at facility entrance points. The window cling clearly communicates prior to entering the business that pets are not allowed on the premises. The window cling clarifies that service animals are allowed, and employees have the right to ask patrons questions about the animals.
Under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), places of public accommodation must permit service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where members of the public are allowed to go. A “service animal” is a dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to do work or perform specific tasks for the benefit of an individual with a physical sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, only limited inquiries are allowed. Employees may ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability; and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. Employees may no request any documentation that the dog is registered licensed, or certified as a service animal. Additionally, employees are not allowed to require that the dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person’s disability.