Costco is a big retail store, and most individuals patronize it to get their groceries and other household goods. With the size of the stores and the ability to get almost every food item there, buyers may spend a lot of time in the stores. Most individuals love to have their pets with them in recent times, even during shopping. Let us know here about ‘Costco Pet Policy’.
Costco Pet Policy
If you fall under this category, you’d like to know if pets are allowed to be with you as you shop. Different stores have different policies as regards pets, some are pet-friendly, and others are not.
Costco’s pet policy is not pet-friendly; this complies with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) regulations. Hence, only service animals are allowed in the warehouse; pets or emotional support animals are prohibited. Service animals are professionally and efficiently trained to perform a specific task to render help to people with disability.
Reason Costco prohibits pets
Costco is a grocery supplier and is bound by the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulation that governs the health and safety standards for stores like it. When it comes to grocery stores and any establishment where food is sold, pets are usually considered a health hazard.
Be it dogs, cats, or even birds; they can carry about dirt and potentially contaminate the products on sale. Also, other clients might have phobias or allergies about animals, so pets in the stores will make them uncomfortable. These are the main reasons why Costco does not allow pets with shoppers.
Fake Service dogs and recognizing them
With the no pet policy, individuals may be tempted to pass pets off as service animals- dogs- to take them along while shopping. However, there are a few ways for both customers and employees at Costco to know fake service dogs. Some signs are:
- The dogs barking at people and behaving aggressively.
- Canine sniffing for food and trying to eat some.
- Pulling at leashes.
- Dogs not wearing the service animal vest.
- The dog is easily distracted.
The opposite of these things can be said for real service dogs, who are more coordinated than your regular dog. The ADA regulation only regards dogs as service animals, and for a dog to become one, it has to be at least six months old. Animals like birds and hamsters being paraded as service animals are mostly fake, and so is it for doggies younger than six months.
Responsibility of a Service dog owner within Costco
Even when it is a service animal in the store, it still stands that it is still an animal. Hence as an owner, you need to be careful with them, and you need to be able to control them. The store will not stand for any animal making a mess or causing discomfort to its other patrons, and you might be asked to leave the premises.
You should also ensure your service dog is correctly vaccinated before visiting the store or any public place. The service dog is to be on a leash always within the store. Your dog should be people and animal friendly and also well behaved.
Do all Costco Stores adhere to the pet policy?
Officially, the answer is yes; they adhere strictly to the pet policy. Yet, some shoppers have experienced the policy being relaxed as leashed and well-behaved pets have been allowed into Costco. The logic is they are not aggressive and do not cause a mess in the store. Also, it is illegal to demand proof that the dog is a service animal.
Nevertheless, the best thing as a shopper is to follow the policy and leave your pet at home. This will help you avoid being stranded if your pet is not allowed inside. For Costco in other countries, you should call and make inquiries about their pet policy in case it’s different.
Does Costco allow Emotional Support Animals?
While emotional support animals provide comfort and companionship to their owners, the ADA is not considered provider animals. In line with Costco’s pet policy, they are not allowed in the store, so you should leave them behind when you go shopping.
Can you put your dog in the shopping cart at Costco?
You cannot and should not, as it violates the FDA guidelines. Shopping carts are meant for groceries and other purchases; putting an animal in one is unsanitary. Putting your service animal in a shopping cart is not adhering to the set health practices. Besides, they should be walking alongside you, performing their duties as much as you need them.
Conclusion
Costco’s pet policy might not be favorable to pet owners, but looking at it health-wise, it isn’t so bad in the long run. If your pet is not a service animal, it will be best to leave them at home to avoid inconveniencing yourself and others. Better still, call ahead and ask about the store’s policy so you’d be clarified and then do the right thing by adhering to whatever policy is in place.
