Doggie Parent Blog

Costco is the fifth largest retailer in the world and they serve millions of customers in their store locations. This probably explains why so many people continue to ask the one question we are going to be answering today; Are dogs allowed in Costco? I am going to be explaining everything that you need to know about the pet policy of Costco and also help you understand what it really means to you as a dog owner. So without much being said, let's get stated. Store Name:CostcoPet Policy:Not Friendly (only service animals allowed)Headquarters:Issaquah, Washington, United StatesNumber of Locations:562 (United States) Is Costco Dog Friendly? Costco is not a dog friendly store because only dogs that are classified as service animals according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are allowed inside a Costco store. However, it is also important to note that Costco still reserve the right to deny entry to any dog that is behaving dangerously, disturbing customers or creating an unfriendly environment inside the store. There are also requirements that service animal owners have to comply with when they are inside a Costco store. Here is a brief summary of the rules you need to follow if you are service dog owner: Your dog must be securely leashed when you are inside the store.Pet owners are responsible for their dog's behavior. (you must always control your dog when you inside the store) Pet owners can actually get kicked out of a Costco store if their service dog is not leashed or behaving dangerously so you must take these rules seriously. Costco Dog Policy The official dog policy of Costco is that only service animals are allowed inside their stores. Any other pet that is not classified as a service animal in accordance to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will not be allowed to enter a Costco store. Costco actually released an official statement on their pet policy and here is what they had to say; In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Costco has adopted a service animal policy. Be assured that Costco members accompanied by service animals have immediate access to our warehouses.Costco is permitted under the ADA to ascertain whether the animal is a service animal. Accordingly, and in full compliance with the ADA, Costco employees may ask two questions in order to determine whether an animal is a service animal: (1) Is that a service animal? (2) What task or function is it trained to perform?Our policy effectively provides notice to everyone encountering the service animal that: (1) The allowance of a service animal into our warehouse is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (2) The animal is trained to perform a task or function (3) Health and safety laws are not being broken. Many Costco store locations have pinned some posters to give their customers clarity on the official pet policy of the company. Here is an example of one such poster: Why Are Service Dogs Allowed In Costco? Costco basically allows service dogs inside their stores because they are required to do so by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been trained to perform tasks or work for the benefit of people with physical or mental disabilities. The definition clearly shows us the role that service dogs have to play in the lives of their owners. There are multiple examples of how a service dog can be helpful to their owners but one example I usually like to give is when a dog has been trained to alert an individual with diabetes whenever their blood sugar rises above or falls below normal levels. A medical emergency like this can happen anywhere so it is important for laws like ADA to enforce institutions like Costco to allow service dogs to all areas that are normally permitted to customers. Why Are Ordinary Dogs Not Allowed In Costco? Ordinary dogs are not allowed inside Costco stores because the retailer has to maintain hygiene and sanitary standards. Costco stores have to comply with very strict health codes of the towns, counties and states that they operating in so they can't allow dogs or any other pets inside their premises. Does Costco Allow Emotional Support Dogs? Costco does not allow emotional support dogs inside their stores. This is because emotional support dogs are not classified as service animals according to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Here is an official statement of Costco regarding the matter; Dogs, pets or animals, trained or untrained, whose sole function is to provide comfort, companionship or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the law and are not permitted in our stores. Are Dogs Allowed In Costco Australia? Dogs are not allowed inside Costco stores in Australia due to health and sanitary reasons. However, all stores in Australia are required by law to allow guide dogs to access any area where customers are normally permitted. Refusing entry to a harnessed guide dog can actually mean some harsh penalties for the business in question. Allowing guide dogs inside stores is legislated under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, Companion Animals Act 1998 (NSW) and, Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Store Name:Costco AustraliaPet Policy:Not Friendly (only guide dogs allowed)Number of Locations12 Are Dogs Allowed In Costco Canada? Dogs are also not allowed inside Costco stores in Canada in order to maintain hygiene and sanitary standards. The strict no pets policy of Costco extend to all countries they operate in and Canada is not exception. However, dogs that are required because of a disability are allowed inside all Costco stores in Canada. Store Name:Costco CanadaPet Policy:Not FriendlyHeadquarters:Ottawa, CanadaNumber of Locations:105 Are Dogs Allowed In Costco UK? Costco store in the UK do not allow dogs inside their premises due to health and sanitary reasons. The health code and food safety guidelines in the UK don't permit stores like Costco to allow dogs inside their premises unless the dog is required because of a disability. Store Name:Costco UKPet Policy:Not FriendlyHeadquarters:Watford, United KingdomNumber of Locations:29 So, Can You Bring Dogs Into Costco? No. It is not allowed to bring dogs into Costco stores unless the dog is classified as service animal required because of a disability. However, all service dogs must be leashed and well behaved.

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