Are Dogs Allowed In Sam’s Club?

By Hayden Ortiz

Last Updated:

are dogs allowed sams club

Sam’s Club is a popular shopping destination for many customers looking for quality products at affordable prices.

However, whether dogs and other pets are allowed in Sam’s Club can be a bit complicated for pet owners.

According to Sam’s Club pet policy, clubs generally do not allow dogs in except for service dogs and this is in line with guidelines from agencies like the FDA and ADA.

While you may be disappointed that you cannot bring your furry friends along for the shopping experience, it’s important to remember that this policy is in place to ensure the safety and hygiene of all customers.

In this article, we will be taking a comprehensive look at Sam’s Club pet policy. Are emotional dogs allowed? Does Sam’s Club have spaces where you can keep your dog when shopping? These questions and more will be answered in detail here.

Can Dogs Go Into Sam’s Club?

Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed inside the Sam’s Club store unless they’re for service dogs.

Sam’s Club has a pet policy that prohibits dogs and other pets from entering their clubs due to health and safety regulations. Since the store sells groceries, fresh foods, and other consumables, they are legally required not to allow dogs and other pets into their stores.

If you want to take your dog to Sam’s Club, you can only do so if it is a service dog. Service dogs are allowed in the store, and the store cannot legally turn them away due to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

To avoid any confusion, we recommend reaching out to your local Sam’s Club first to know their policy on dogs and other pets before taking your dog to the store (if they’re cool with it). This way, you can avoid any inconvenience and ensure that you and your furry friend have a pleasant shopping experience.

Is Sam’s Club Pet Friendly?

Sam’s Club is not a pet-friendly store. As a grocery store, Sam’s Club, like most other grocery stores, does not allow pets inside the store, except for service animals. This policy is in place to maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards to ensure the quality and safety of the food sold in the store.

While Sam’s Club does not allow pets inside the store, they do allow pets in outdoor areas of the store, such as patios or seating areas, as long as they are well-behaved and under the owner’s control at all times.

However, it is important to note that bringing pets to the store is generally discouraged, as there are no designated areas for pets, and they may distract other customers.

Pet owners should also keep in mind that Sam’s Club requires pets to be on a leash at all times when on the store’s premises. This policy is in place to ensure the safety of all customers, including pets.

Why Aren’t Dogs Allowed Inside Sam’s Club?

Sam’s Club, like most grocery stores, has a policy that prohibits customers from bringing their pets inside the store. This policy is in place for several reasons, including safety, cleanliness, and health code violations.

Allowing pets inside a store that sells fresh food and other consumables can pose a risk to customers’ safety. Pets can cause accidents by tripping customers or knocking over displays. Additionally, some customers may be afraid of dogs, which can cause them to feel uncomfortable or unsafe while shopping.

Maintaining a clean and contamination-free environment is also a priority for Sam’s Club. Allowing pets inside the store can introduce dirt, hair, and other debris that can make the store look unkempt and unsanitary. This can also create a breeding ground for germs and insects.

Most importantly, allowing pets inside the store is a health code violation in many states in the United States and Canada. The FDA also prohibits grocery stores and other stores that sell fresh food and other food items from allowing dogs and other pets in and is to prevent the spread of disease-causing germs and insects that can be carried by pets.

Does Sam’s Club Allow Service Animals?

Sam’s Club allows service animals, as per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. Service animals are individually trained animals that perform tasks for people with disabilities.

Unlike most grocery stores in the country, Sam’s Club does not require service animals to be certified or registered before they can be allowed into the store. This means that you can also bring your service dog into the store even if it was individually trained.

According to the Sam’s Club service animal policy page, they only allow dogs and miniature horses that are service animals to help their owners with the tasks that they’re trained to do.

Service Dogs

Sam’s Club allows service dogs into their stores. These dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities, such as guiding the blind, alerting the deaf, and pulling a wheelchair. Service dogs are usually identified by a harness or vest, but Sam’s Club does not require any specific identification for service dogs.

Miniature Horses

Sam’s Club also allows miniature horses as service animals, as per the ADA guidelines. These miniature horses are trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities, just like service dogs. However, miniature horses are only allowed if they are housebroken and under the owner’s control.

Shoppers with service animals can also make complaints about the improper treatment of their animals by calling the Sam’s Club customer complaint line at 1(800) 963-8442. Sam’s Club takes the proper treatment of service animals seriously and will take appropriate action if necessary.

Does Sam’s Club Allow Emotional Support Animals?

Sam’s Club only allows service animals such as service dogs and miniature horses inside their stores. Emotional support animals and companion animals are not allowed. Therefore, if you have an emotional support dog, you cannot bring them with you to Sam’s Club.

It is important to note that documentation for emotional support animals is not enough to allow them inside Sam’s Club. Only service animals with proper training are allowed and this policy is in place to ensure the safety and comfort of all customers.

If you have a service animal, it is recommended to have them wear a vest or other identification to make it clear that they are a service animal. This can help avoid any confusion or misunderstandings with store employees or other customers.

What Stores Are Dogs Allowed In?

Grocery stores generally do not allow dogs and other animals (except service animals) due to the risk of contamination of food items sold. However, non-grocery stores like PetSmart, Petco, Home Depot, Tractor Supply, Bass Pro Shops, L.L. Bean, and Nordstrom, amongst others are more pet-friendly and often allow dogs in their stores.

Pet stores like PetSmart and Petco are known for being pet-friendly and welcome dogs in their stores. Home Depot is another pet-friendly store that welcomes dogs, as long as they are on a leash and well-behaved.

Overall, while grocery stores generally do not allow dogs, many non-grocery stores are pet-friendly and welcome dogs inside. It is important to note that stores may have specific policies regarding pets, so it is always best to check with the store before bringing your dog inside.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sam’s Club has a strict pet policy that only allows service animals inside their stores. This policy is in line with the FDA’s safety guidelines to prevent contamination of food and other products sold in the store.

While it can be tempting to bring your furry friend along for the shopping experience, it’s best to leave them at home unless they are a trained and certified service animal.

To ensure a pleasant shopping experience for all customers, it’s important to follow best practices when bringing a service animal into Sam’s Club. This includes keeping your animal on a leash or harness, cleaning up after them, and avoiding areas where food is being prepared or served amongst other best practices for handling service animals.

While Sam’s Club may not be a pet-friendly store, there are still plenty of public spaces where you and your furry friend can enjoy some quality time together. From dog parks to hiking trails, there are many options available to pet owners looking for a fun and safe environment to explore.

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Hayden Ortiz

Hayden is the co-founder of TheValueShopper. He is someone who loves grocery runs and spent 20 years of his career in the retail and consumer service industry. As our senior editor, Hayden primarily focuses on managing this website and providing answers to as many shopping-related queries as he can possible find with in-depth articles and additional videos where necessary.