Woman's bizarre ALDI find sparks debate among shoppers

An ordinary shopping trip to ALDI took an unexpected turn for one woman when she stumbled upon an unexpected find.

The sight was unusual, to say the least, but the story behind it is even more intriguing.

It also quickly became a topic of heated discussion among shoppers, with varying opinions ranging from disgust to support.



It was a cat, comfortably nestled in a trolley.

But it turns out that the cat was not a stray but an assistance pet—an animal trained to accompany a person with a disability or a mental health condition. While dogs are the most common assistance animals, cats can also serve this role.


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A woman found an assistance cat at an ALDI store in ACT. Image source: Facebook



These animals are often used to provide emotional support to people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or anxiety, helping to reduce stress and even alerting their owners to potential mental health episodes. So, while it may seem unusual, the presence of an assistance cat in a public place like a supermarket is entirely legitimate.

However, when the woman shared her unique discovery on social media, it received mixed reactions from users. Some were curious about the type of assistance the cat provided.



‘How does a cat assist in any way? They only want you when you have the cat food out,’ someone commented.

‘Does it grab things off the shelves for you?’ another asked.

On the other hand, social media users also raised hygiene concerns about putting a cat in the trolley, where food is usually placed.

‘Yuck, assistance or not. I don't believe animals should be allowed in our trolleys where we put our food,’ a person expressed.

Another wrote: ‘How unhygienic to have a cat in a food supermarket.’

Meanwhile, some shoppers pointed out that the presence of an animal in a public place can pose a risk to people with allergies.

‘As someone who is contact allergic to cats and dogs, I really hope you clean the trolley well after putting your animal in there,’ a social media user stated.

‘My kids would be in trouble if they sat there after this cat! They have severe allergies,’ a mum said.

This comment received replies from other shoppers, indicating that people with severe allergies should take extra precautions in a public space.

‘You should be wiping down the trolley if you or your family have severe allergies,’ one of the replies said, while another wrote: ‘Most food is packaged and you should wash it anyway.’



Despite the concerns raised, there are those who highlighted the vital role that assistance animals play in the lives of people with disabilities or mental health conditions.

As one commenter pointed out, 'Honestly, I feel if someone’s mental health feels the need for companionship, show compassion and mind our own business.'

‘I don’t see an issue. If it’s helping a person deal with their life, then that’s all that matters,’ another seconded.

While a third person urged people not to 'make fun of someone who needs this’.


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The assistance cate found at an ALDI store sparked debate among shoppers. Image source: Shutterstock



ALDI's store policy about assistance pets is guided by the legislation outlined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

As per this legislation, a person must be able to produce evidence that the animal is an assistance animal and evidence that the animal is trained to meet standards of hygiene and behaviour that are appropriate for an animal in a public space.



Access Link, a disability accessibility agency, is at the forefront of championing inclusion for people with assistance pets.

Here are some tips they've provided on demonstrating greater understanding and support for individuals with disabilities:

  • Familiarise yourself with laws and policies regarding service animals.
  • Recognise that assistance animals are not limited to aiding the blind and visually impaired; they can support individuals with various physical, psychiatric, and mental health conditions.
  • Acknowledge the existence of invisible disabilities, which may not be immediately apparent.
  • If you own a business, prioritise inclusivity by educating the staff about relevant laws, ensuring accessible spaces for individuals with assistance animals, making reasonable accommodations to services or facilities when needed, and promptly addressing any complaints related to discrimination.
Key Takeaways
  • An ALDI shopper encountered a cat in a shopping trolley at an ALDI store, which sparked an online debate about hygiene and the role of assistance animals in public spaces.
  • There was concern over the hygiene and allergy risks associated with having animals in places where food is placed, despite the cat being an assistance pet.
  • This incident raised awareness about the variety of roles assistance animals can have, including supporting individuals with PTSD or anxiety.
  • More education and awareness are needed around assistance animals, and businesses are encouraged to create an inclusive environment per the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

What are your thoughts on assistance pets, members? Do you or someone you know have one? Let us know in the comments!
 
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What a hypocrisy - cats are the most clean pets. Some characters that visit supermarkets could bring more germs that those animals. Seem so be like a post-Covid psycho reaction and total obsession with sterile environment. It is established scientific fact that kids usually boost their immunity by playing with dirty sand, soil and animals.
 
Some people need to take a chill pill!
The bacteria count on all ‘seats’ in trolleys’ are astronomic, mainly fecal coliform bacterium. And where would that come from? - babies and toddlers nappies!
My science class did a swipe of various common objects around the home and one smartie tested 3 trollies from 3 different supermarket brands. Good scientific method! The class was disgusted, and so was I.
This was a few years ago and I have not been able to repeat the task again unfortunately.
 
Both cats and dogs can also be incredibly sensitive to medical conditions such as epilepsy and diabetes, and provide warning to their people of dangerous dips in blood glucose level, or enough advance notice of an impending seizure to allow the person to get themself into a safe position.
 
It’s all good as long as it’s for medical assist. Stupid to take pets out to shops if it is not necessary.
agreed. The dirtiest, most unhealthy creatures on earth are HUMAN BEINGS. Many know that I rarely leave home but a new carer, after just 4 visits gave me a huge dose of Covid. Two weeks later I'm still far from right. I keep up Panadol, up to 6lt of water and lots of reading. I'm highly allergic to most medications inc antibiotics.
 
I don't think animals should be in shopping trolleys....UNLESS these trolleys get cleaned and sanitised....BUT DO THEY ?????
 
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The conversation went something like this:

Chloe?

'Sup?

Will you come to the supermarket with me? As my emotional support animal. You could ride in the trolley!

Emotional support animal, my ar@#! I might catch something!

(I took that as a 'no')

chloebed.jpg
 
I don't know what state that was in but I know as of 5 years ago there was only assistance dogs in Queensland. A lot of people wanted to get their cats registered as an assistance animal. The government wouldn't allow it. People also wanted a snake, bird registered as an assistance animal. Maybe the cat lovers won. It costs a lot of money and training to get the dog up to being an assistance animal.
 
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My problem with this is where do we draw the line. I have no problem with trained dogs. Cats, maybe. But what if someone wants an assistance Rat, Snake, frog, etc., etc. This may sound stupid, but these days, everyone has RIGHTS!! except the majority. All I am saying is, we should tread carefully with what is acceptable.
 
I neither like and am allergic to most cats (by touch). Having said that, I can’t see a big problem with this. The cat is restrained and is in the child seat of the trolley. How many little butts have sat there over time? I really don’t see the difference in cleanliness. I would like to think though, that the seat was wiped down afterwards to prevent things like allergies.
 
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As a teenager in the UK I had a jet black cat who went everywhere with me, on busses, trains, shopping, walking beside me or on a lead. If I went out without him he would be waiting at the bus stop when I came home to escort me safely. He liked most dogs but some he would sense may be unfriendly or possible danger, and he would hiss and put his fur up. He never ever did a 'business' when out but he sometimes would squat over a drain outlet to pee when urgent. In shops or on transport he sat on my shoulder. Everyone in our town knew him and he became a celebrity. His mother was a stray and he was the only kitten she produced.
I cannot see any difference to those people who take their children to stores and let them run around screaming and squealing, touching everything, even opening food packets, knocking into other shoppers with no control whatsoever. My children when little wore harnesses/reins so they were under control when in a store. Why don't parents use these today so their children learn how to behave when out. How is that cat more of a nuisance or dangerous?
OK all you guilty ones, let's hear your attacks
 
As a teenager in the UK I had a jet black cat who went everywhere with me, on busses, trains, shopping, walking beside me or on a lead. If I went out without him he would be waiting at the bus stop when I came home to escort me safely. He liked most dogs but some he would sense may be unfriendly or possible danger, and he would hiss and put his fur up. He never ever did a 'business' when out but he sometimes would squat over a drain outlet to pee when urgent. In shops or on transport he sat on my shoulder. Everyone in our town knew him and he became a celebrity. His mother was a stray and he was the only kitten she produced.
I cannot see any difference to those people who take their children to stores and let them run around screaming and squealing, touching everything, even opening food packets, knocking into other shoppers with no control whatsoever. My children when little wore harnesses/reins so they were under control when in a store. Why don't parents use these today so their children learn how to behave when out. How is that cat more of a nuisance or dangerous?
OK all you guilty ones, let's hear your attacks
My mother used those harness things on us three girls they should use them on kids today.some kids are such little monsters.🤣
 

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