Pets are man’s best friend and we never really let go of a chance to wander around with them. So, imagine having a little adorable dog who never fails to romanticize every bleak situation for you, grocery shopping is one of those dull tasks for most of the population. Let’s get the answer to the question ‘Are Dogs Allowed in Walmart?’.
Are Dogs Allowed in Walmart?
The answer in bold is NO.
Walmart’s official statement on its official site regarding this matter states that:
“Walmart welcomes service animals as defined by the ADA as our stores, and we recognize the important role they play in many of our customers’ lives. We do not allow pets in our stores.”
While many stores also have a board that notifies people of the following:
“Non-service animals are not permitted in grocery stores under applicable food safety regulations. Service animals are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for persons with disabilities. Comfort or emotional support animals have not service animals. We apologize for any inconvenience.”
These two official statements might confuse us to some extent because of some technical words that it uses, for example, ADA, service, and non–service animals.
ADA stands for the American disabilities act which mainly focuses on the betterment as well as the independence of disabled people by engaging them and providing them aid via service animals.
What really are service animals?
Well, this one might wonder what really are service dogs? And do I have to train my dog or get him trained by professionals for this tag of ‘service dog’? Is it really an important thing to get? To answer this in short, the ADA defines service dogs as specially trained dogs that work in support of people with disabilities, these dogs act like their pillars and helpers.
ADA sites them to be “A dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability.”
For example, if a person is diabetic or prone to epilepsy and seizure during such times their service dogs would act like their watchguards and provide safety to their owners. If their blood sugar gets imbalanced or are about to have seizures it is their dogs that act like their signalling aid.
If you enter the Walmart with a dog, you will be asked at the entrance if it is trained to be a service dog or not. Often service dogs wear vests or harnesses which isn’t really necessary under ADA.
Well, then what about the dogs that are still under training?
If your dog is still under training then it is not eligible to enter the store as it strictly needs to have the qualification as stated by the ADA.
Are Emotional support animals allowed in Walmart?
Again the answer is no, the main reason for this would be that they might be sensitive but still, they aren’t really trained under guidelines given out by the ADA and thus they cannot be allowed.
Emotional support dogs act as therapeutic comfort givers to their owners and though this can be counted as a service but it is more inclined to be an emotional one rather than the one defined by the ADA. There are various states and stores that consider this emotional service too and allow dogs in the store but as far as Walmart is concerned, they strictly prohibit it.
Are dogs allowed in strollers?
The answer is no, though it is believed that a dog in a stroller would not act out and create a mess or fuss still they can be disease spreaders or some other customers might be allergic to them. So in this case it would be hazardous to take them in strollers too.
Are our little puppies or ordinary dogs allowed?
Neither little puppies nor ordinary dogs are allowed in the store as they do not come under the category of trained dogs and pose danger to other customers and sometimes to the store too by contaminating the food.
Reasons for why dogs aren’t allowed in Walmart?
We forbid consuming the food that is contaminated or is in the vicinity of the smallest insects too and for similar reasons, FDA’s food service codes state that allowing pet dogs in Walmart might create an unhygienic environment for the consumers and might hamper the products too.
Reasons like:
- They might be infected sometimes and can be harmful for both customers and the food products in the store.
- Some visitors might be allergic to the dog hair and this might cause a spread of disease and risk another life.
- Food can be easily contaminated by the dogs as they have a habit to stroll around.
- It is risky to have them because a lot of chaos would be created if they aren’t trained on a leash properly and might even scare other visitors.
- They have a practice of peeing or pooping anywhere and thus if they do it in store it would raise questions on sanitary and hygiene of the store.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if your dog is not a service dog it would be denied to enter the store so it would be best that you do not carry your little pet along with you. Anyways they would always prefer playing in fields and parks then walking under scrutiny in a Walmart.
