Can Dogs Go to Costco? What Dogs Are Allowed at Costco
The allure of Costco is undeniable — gigantic packages of your favorite snacks, aisles overflowing with unique finds, and enough free samples to keep you fueled for hours. For dogs and their owners, Costco can feel like a dream grocery stores stop—a true pet-friendly store experience.
Yet, one question plagues many pet parents: Are dogs allowed in Costco? After all, wouldn’t it be “pawsome” to grab a jumbo bag of kibble alongside your best bud? For pet owners, it’s worth knowing which animals allowed inside Costco, and how service animals are treated.
In this blog, we’ll unveil Costco’s official stance on canine companions, discuss the rationale behind the rules, and offer some tips for dog owners who still crave that Costco experience. This is especially helpful for pet owners exploring emotional support options and ESA letters.
Costco’s Official Policy on Dogs (And Other Pets) and Service Animals
Costco has a clear policy regarding pets in its stores—only service animals are allowed. In practice, animals allowed inside Costco are limited to service animals under the ADA. Unfortunately, your beloved pooch, cuddly cat, or furry (or feathery) friend must stay home while you stock up on bulk buys.
The rationale behind this rule is multifaceted. For one, Costco warehouses are large, crowded spaces with heavy foot traffic, loud noises from equipment like forklifts, and open boxes and packages that could be hazardous for curious snouts. It creates an environment that could easily stress or frighten pets. This policy also helps keep Costco grocery stores safe and reduces potential pet incidents.
There are also public health and safety factors at play. While we love our precious pups, not every dog is well-behaved or adequately house-trained. Costco has to consider the possibility of pet incidents like biting, excessive barking, running away, or bathroom accidents that could disturb members and employees. For pet owners, this policy also reflects the broader policy about animals allowed in stores and how to interact with service animals.
Costco Maintains Exceptions for Service Animals
While Costco’s pet policy is quite strict overall, they make exceptions for legitimate service dogs and other service animals as outlined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This shows that service animals are given access despite the broader policy and that service dog teams may enter with accommodations. These allowances reinforce that service animals are allowed inside Costco locations when accompanying their handlers, under ADA guidelines.
Highly trained service animals that perform vital tasks and services for people with disabilities are permitted inside all Costco locations when accompanying their handlers. A service animal provides essential access and assistance to its owner, reinforcing the importance of these working dogs. These exceptional working dogs provide essential assistance like:
- Guiding individuals with vision impairments
- Alerting individuals with hearing impairments to important sounds
- Pulling wheelchairs or providing mobility support
- Retrieving items or performing other crucial physical tasks
- Detecting upcoming seizures or medical emergencies
- Offering therapeutic support for psychiatric disabilities
In fact, Costco staff are well aware of the ADA’s definition of service animals and the rules around providing access. They understand that these working animals are not simply pets – they are critical tools that enable independence for their disabled handlers. Emotional support animals are not the same as service animals, and an esa letter alone does not guarantee access.
That said, Costco has strict protocols for determining whether an animal qualifies under ADA guidelines. Staff may ask you basic questions before allowing you to enter the premises with your service dog.
What About Emotional Support Dogs?
Given Costco’s strict no-pets policy, you may wonder if they’ll make an exception for an emotional support dog. After all, it provides valuable therapeutic benefits for people with mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. For those relying on an esa letter, please note that emotional support animals are not granted entry under the ADA guidelines Costco adheres to.
Unfortunately, emotional support dogs do not qualify for entry to Costco warehouses under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines that Costco adheres to. The critical distinction is that emotional support animals don’t undergo specialized training to perform specific disability-related tasks like service animals do. This is why service animals have access advantages, while emotional support dogs stay outside the entry.
While emotional support dogs can offer comfort, companionship, and emotional stability for their owners, they lack the specialized obedience training and public access certifications that service dogs receive. As such, the ADA and businesses view all emotional support animals similarly to regular house pets.
What to Do if You Want to Bring Your Dog?
Dogs may be personae non-gratae inside Costco buildings, but a little creativity and planning can ensure you and your pup have an enjoyable, tail-wagging experience. For pet owners, Costco’s stores and online grocery shopping make it easy to get what you need without leaving your dog behind.
One incredibly convenient option is to use Costco’s robust online shopping and delivery service. You can leisurely browse and fill up that virtual cart from the comfort of your couch – no need to ever leave your pup’s side. This option helps keep animals allowed inside the home environment as well as in public spaces through safe alternatives like curbside pickup and drive-through options. If you prefer a more hands-on experience, Costco’s drive-through pickup and curbside assist services are ideal for shoppers with dogs in tow. Load your mobile app cart and arrive at the designated time for pickup. An associate will load your order into your car while your copilot catches up on some window snoozing.
While Costco must uphold pet-free warehouse rules, they provide plenty of accommodating workarounds for members who can’t fathom leaving their fur baby behind. So, the next time you’re planning a trip, make sure to contact Costco representatives to get a clear picture of their guidelines. For pet owners who need more, consider an esa letter and discussing service dog options with membership representatives. Remember to review the policy and stay informed about store rules before you go.
