Are Dogs Allowed in Walmart?

The short answer to the question of whether dogs are allowed in Walmart is no; Walmart does not allow customers to bring pets into the store. However, service animals, such as those used to assist individuals with disabilities, are welcome. Additionally, Walmart may make exceptions for pet adoption events or store events, as well as for customers who need their pets with them for medical purposes.

Are Dogs Allowed in Walmart?

No, Walmart does not allow customers to bring pets into its stores. This policy applies to all Walmart stores, including Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Clubs. The only exception is for service animals, which are allowed inside stores to assist customers with disabilities.

What is Walmart’s Dog Policy?

Walmart’s pet policy states that only service animals are allowed in stores. Service animals must remain under the control of the owner at all times and should never be left unattended in the store.

SEE ALSO: Are Dogs Mouths Cleaner Than Humans?

What Kinds Of Dogs Are Allowed In Walmart?

Walmart stores allow most non-aggressive dog breeds. Examples include Beagles, Chihuahuas, Poodles, Australian Shepherds, Bull Terriers, English Bulldogs, and Labrador Retrievers. Walmart also allows certain mixed breeds and service animals. All service animals must wear a harness, leashes, special collars, or tags. Service animals must be housebroken and trained to behave properly in public, as well as be able to maintain a quiet and calm demeanor. Other dogs, such as guard dogs, hunting dogs, and guard dog breeds, are not allowed in Walmart stores.

Service Animals vs. Emotional Support Animals vs. Therapy Dogs

A service animal is a dog specifically trained to help a person with a disability in tasks directly related to the disability. These animals are generally covered by the ADA and are permitted in any public accommodation, including restaurants, stores, hospitals, and airplanes.

An emotional support animal (ESA) is a pet that provides comfort to its owner by offering companionship, affection, and unconditional love. Unlike a service animal, an ESA is not required to undergo special training and is not permitted in places that do not ordinarily allow pets, such as restaurants and stores. While ESAs are not protected by federal anti-discrimination laws like the ADA, many states have laws that provide protections for ESAs in housing and air travel. 

Therapy dogs are specially trained to provide comfort and emotional support for people with a variety of mental and emotional health concerns. Therapy dogs are often used in psychiatric and therapeutic settings to help people manage anxiety, depression, loneliness, and other mental health issues. They may also be used in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, or other public settings to comfort and support people who require assistance.

Walmart’s Pet Policy for Service Animals

Walmart stores have a policy that allows customers to bring service animals into their stores. Service animals must be on a leash or harness and under the control of their owner. The service animal must be providing a service to persons with a disability. Walmart stores have the right to refuse entry to service animals that appear to be in distress or otherwise pose a safety to customers, team members, or the animal itself. Walmart also reserves the right to ask customers a maximum of two questions to immediately determine that the customer’s animal is indeed a service animal. These questions are: 1) Is the animal required because of a disability? 2) What work or task has the animal been trained to perform? Customers are kindly requested not to bring animals that are not service animals into the stores.

Types Of Service Dogs Allowed In Walmart

• Guide Dogs: Guide Dogs are dogs that help individuals who are visually impaired, offering invaluable physical, emotional, and mental support. They are trained to guide people who are blind or have low vision to have increased mobility while maintaining safety.
• Hearing Dogs: Hearing Dogs are dogs that assist individuals who are hard of hearing or deaf. A hearing dog is trained to alert the hearing-impaired handler to everyday sounds – doorbells, telephones, alarms, oven timers, and more.
• Psychiatric Service Dogs: These dogs are trained to provide therapeutic care and assistance to individuals with conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD, autism, and depression. Their job is to help people stay consistent with the behaviors in their treatment plans.
• Mobility Support Dogs: Mobility Support Dogs are trained to help individuals with physical limitations get around more easily. This includes things like steadying a person when doing transfers, providing brace and counterbalance support, picking items off the floor, and more.
• Seizure Alert/Response Dogs: These dogs are trained to recognize seizures and alert their handler to a seizure taking place. They are also trained to help keep their handler safe during and after a seizure. Some of these dogs even have special training to administer medical treatments such as diabetic alerts or medications.

Walmart’s Pet Policy for Emotional Support Animals

Walmart does not permit emotional support animals in its stores. To be considered an emotional support animal, they must have received verification with an emotional support letter from a licensed mental health professional. Walmart does not make any exceptions for emotional support animals and requests that customers not bring them into the store. Walmart has a zero-tolerance policy regarding animals in its stores.

Walmart’s Pet Policy for Therapy Dogs

Walmart does not have a specific policy on therapy dogs being allowed in its stores. However, Walmart respectfully requests that customers not bring pets into the store, unless they are certified service animals that have been trained to help a person with a disability.

It is important to note that according to the Americans with Disabilities Act, emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals are not considered service animals and are not allowed access to public establishments. Additionally, even if the customer has paperwork proving that the pet is a certified therapy service animal, Walmart does not ask for any proof from the pet or its owner.

For further clarification, customers can contact their local store’s manager directly for answers to any questions they may have regarding Walmart’s pet policy.

Walmart’s Pet Policy for Pets

Walmart does not allow pets to be inside their stores. However, they do allow service animals, such as guide dogs, inside the store. These animals must be on a leash and wearing proper identification as required by the Americans with Disabilities (ADA). Walmart also allows customers to bring pets into the store’s entrance vestibule, allowing them to wait outside while their owners shop.

Rules for Bringing Dogs to Walmart

• Leash and Collar: All dogs must be securely restrained by a leash and/or collar with identification tags before entering Walmart.
• Control: All dogs must remain under the control of their owners at all times.
• Clean Up: Owners must promptly clean up after their dogs and dispose of any waste properly.
• Animals Only: Only dogs are allowed in Walmart stores; no other animals are permitted.
• Heat Warning: Owners should be aware of the weather and the temperature of the store, as dogs are sensitive to both and may become uncomfortable inside for extended periods of time.
• No Language: Dogs must remain quiet and well-behaved at all times; if they become unruly or bark excessively, the owner must take their pup outside until they can be brought back under control.

Why Doesn’t Walmart Allow Dogs?

Walmart does not allow dogs in its stores because of health and safety concerns. Undoubtedly, there are plenty of well-behaved and friendly dogs out there, but allowing them into a store could put customers, employees, merchandise, and the pet itself at risk. A dog could be startled by another customer or employee, leading to unpredictable behavior, or it could run into glass display cases, damaging valuable items, or an allergic reaction could occur. Additionally, all stores are required to comply with local health regulations, and most forbid animals (except service animals) inside retail establishments.

List of Dog-Friendly Stores

• Petco
• Petsmart
• Chewy
• Amazon
• Lowe’s
• Best Buy
• Pet Valu

SEE ALSO: Why Do Dogs Have Tails?

FAQs

Q. Can I bring my dog in a bag to Walmart?

A. No. Walmart does not allow pets in their stores, including those inside bags.

Q. Are dogs allowed in Home Depot?

A. No, dogs are not allowed inside Home Depot stores.

Q. Can I leave my dog in the car?

A. No, you should not leave your dog in the car as it can overheat quickly and put your pet in danger.

Q. Are leashed dogs allowed in Walmart?

A. No, leashed dogs are not allowed in Walmart.

Q. Are dogs allowed in Target?

A. No, Target does not typically allow dogs in stores.

Q. Are dogs allowed in Lowes?

A. Yes, dogs are allowed in Lowe’s.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while some Walmart stores may have a strict no-pet policy, others may allow certain animals to be taken inside the store if they are in a secured container or are service animals with a valid certification. Ultimately, it is best to contact each individual store to verify their own pet policy. This will help ensure that customers and their four-legged friends have a great shopping experience at Walmart.