Last updated on April 27th, 2023 at 11:50 am

Does Sam’s Club Allow Dogs Inside? Is Sam’s Club Pet Friendly? Pet Policy Guide

Does Sam’s Club Allow Dogs? Short Answer: no, dogs are not allowed in Sam’s Club stores unless they are service animals. Dogs that are working service animals, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), are allowed inside Sam’s Club stores.

Does Sam’s Club Allow Dogs Inside?

Emotional support animals and pet dogs are not welcome inside the store, regardless of their behavior. Because of the rules of federal and local regulations such as the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), grocery stores are not dog friendly.  

The following is a summary of Sam’s Club pet policy in their grocery stores.

Is Sam’s Club Pet Friendly?

No, Sam’s Club stores are not dog-friendly. Pets are not allowed inside the store. Some shoppers have reported that they have been able to bring their dog into an Sam’s Club store, although this is not the posted pet policy.  

Sam’s Club employees may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis, depending on the individual situation. If you are considering bringing your dog into an Sam’s Club store, it is best to call ahead and speak to a manager to see if they would be willing to make an exception in your case.  

Are dogs allowed in Sam’s Club

In general, Sam’s Club are not pet-friendly and pets are not allowed inside.

Are dogs allowed in Sam’s Club?

No, dogs are not allowed in Sam’s Club. While dogs are not typically allowed in stores, Sam’s Club makes an exception for service animals. If your dog is a trained service animal, then you are welcome to bring them into Sam’s Club with you.

What Is Official Sam’s Club Dog Policy

Sam’s Clubpet policy is that no dogs are allowed in the store, with the exception of service animals, what complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Unfortunately, Sam’s Club doesn’t allow emotional support or companion animals. This policy is in place for the safety of customers and employees. 

Sam’s Club current official policy states that:

Service animals play an important role to help ensure the independence of people with various disabilities. Therefore, it is our policy to welcome into our club any animal that is individually trained to assist a person with a disability.

Does Sam’s Club Dog Policy Vary By Location?

According to the official Sam’s Club website, the company’s pet policy does not vary by location.

However, from reading online reviews, it seems apparent that not all Sam’s Club stores adhere to the corporate’s official stance.

But dogs who are not service animals should not be taken into Sam’s Club supermarkets. The national policy is that no pets are permitted inside grocery stores. So it is unlawful to bring pets in public areas where sell food.

This was clarified on their official Twitter account of Sam’s Club.

Check out the posts where we check which retailers have a compassionate approach:

Are Dogs Allowed In Publix? Is Publix Pet Friendly?

Does Dollar Tree Allow Dogs Inside?

Is Meijer Pet Friendly? 

Why Does Sam’s Club Not Allow Pets?

Sam’s Club does not allow dogs in order to comply with FDA Food Service Codes. These codes require that no live animals be allowed access to any business that sells or serves food. 

The reasoning behind this is that, as much as we love our furry friends, they can pose a serious threat to public health and safety. Dogs can carry all sorts of bacteria and diseases that can be transferred to humans, and no one wants to take that risk.

Dogs as well as disturb customers and employees with their loud barks and playful behavior. 

For these reasons, Sam’s Club has implemented a strict no pet policy for all animals except service dogs. This policy is in place to ensure the safety of customers and employees, as well as the prevention of contamination in food areas.

While this policy may be inconvenient for some pet owners, it is necessary to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all Sam’s Club customers.

Which stores allow dogs? You might be surprised at the answer:

Does Walmart Allow Dogs?

Does Target allow dogs? Is Target Dog-Friendly?

Are Dogs Allowed In Whole Foods Market?

Is Walgreens Pet Friendly? 

Is Aldi Pet Friendly? Pet Policy

 Is Kroger Pet Friendly?

What Are Service Dog and Emotional Support Animals?

What is the distinction between an emotional support animals (ESA) and a service animal? There are a few key distinctions between emotional support animals (ESAs) and service animals. 

Firstly, service dogs are individually trained to perform specific tasks or work for their disabled handler, whereas an ESA does not require any specific training. 

Secondly, service animals are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which means that they are allowed to accompany their handler in public places, whereas an ESA is not protected under the ADA and therefore may not be allowed in certain public places. 

Finally, a service dog must have a strong bond with their handler and be well-behaved in order to perform their tasks or work effectively, whereas an ESA does not need to have such a strong bond or be well-behaved in order to provide emotional support to their owner. 

An emotional support animal does not need to have any specific training and provides companionship and emotional support to its owner.

While both ESAs and service animals can provide companionship and emotional support, it is important to note that they are two distinct types of animals with different roles and protections. 

If you plan on bringing your service dog to a Sam’s Club store, please be sure to keep them on a leash at all times and clean up after them if they happen to make any messes.

These posts are great for when you want to know which stores allow dogs:

Is Safeway Pet Friendly?

Does Buc-ee’s Allow Dogs Inside?

Does Rite Aid Allow Dogs Inside?

Does Sam’s Club Allow Service Animals?

Yes, service dogs are allowed in Sam’s Club under the Americans with Disabilities Act and as long as they are well-trained. This pet policy is in place to ensure the safety and comfort of all shoppers. Service dogs must be under the control of their handler at all times, and handlers must be prepared to clean up any accidents that may occur.

Are All Service Animals Allowed In Sam’s Club?

Yes. Sam’s Club only permits well-trained service dogs to enter their locations. Service dogs are trained to perform a variety of tasks for persons with any sort of disability, whether mental or physical. As a result, we do not consider service animals to be pets. They are helpers that assist their owners in leading more self-sufficient lifestyles.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects the rights of those who utilize service animals in public areas. This means that Sam’s Club staff members cannot deny entry to someone and their service animal, so long as the animal is acting appropriately. In very rare cases, however, an animal may be asked to leave if it becomes disruptive or poses a safety hazard.

What Are The Service Dog Rules At Sam’s Club?

Sam’s Club has strict rules in place for clients who want to take their service animal into its stores, much like any other business.

  • At all times, the handler must control the service animal;
  • The dog must always wear a harness, rope, or leash (unless the handler is unable to use the harness or leash due to a disability and the restraint would impede the animal’s service to the handler);
  • If the handler is unable to utilize restraints, he or she must control the animal using signals or voice commands;
  • Sam’s Club will request that you leave the animal outside of the store if it is a danger to others’ health or safety, or if it is uncontrollable;
  • If an animal is a problem and has to be eliminated, a shopping assistant may be given to the shopper if they request it, allowing them to continue their store at Sam’s Club.

Does Sam’s Club Ask If Your Dog Is A Service Dog? Do You Need To Show Service Dog Documents In Sam’s Club?

The Sam’s Club employees have the right to ask whether the animal in question is a service dog, according to Americans with Disabilities Act. ADA – regulations intended to make sure that health and safety laws are followed. Employees may also inquire about the service dog’s capabilities or tasks.

However, they are not allowed to request any other documentation proving disability.

How To Identify a Fake Service Dog

There are a few key ways to tell if a dog is not a service animal. If the dog is stealing food from shelves, jumping at people, or sniffing everything, it is likely not a service animal.

Other signs include barking or whining at people, pulling on the leash, riding in shopping carts, or urinating or defecating in the store. If the dog is seeking attention from other Sam’s Club members, it is also likely not a service animal.

Are Emotional Support Dogs Allowed In Sam’s Club?

Sam’s Club has a pet policy in place that does not allow emotional support dogs into their stores. The concern is that emotional support dogs are not covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, therefore they do not have the same legal protections as service dogs.

This pet policy is in place because it can be difficult to determine if an individual actually needs an emotional support dog, and therefore the store does not want to risk violating any laws. However, this pet policy may make it difficult for some people who actually need an emotional support dog to get the assistance they need.

We’ll keep you updated with the latest news about places that allow your furry friend:

Does Sprouts Allow Dogs Inside?

Does Costco Allow Dogs & How Dog-Friendly Is it?

Is Trader Joe’s Dog-Friendly?

Is WinCo Foods Pet Friendly?

Does CVS Allow Dogs Inside?

Tips For Taking Service Dogs To Sam’s Club stores

Here’s a tips for taking service dogs to Sam’s Club stores:

  1. Understand the difference between service dogs and emotional support animals (ESAs): Service dogs are specifically trained to perform tasks that assist individuals with disabilities, while ESAs provide emotional support but are not trained to perform specific tasks. Only service dogs are allowed in Sam’s Club stores.
  2. Ensure your service dog is well-trained and well-behaved: It’s important to make sure that your service dog is well-trained and well-behaved before taking them to Sam’s Club. They should be able to remain calm and under your control at all times, even in a busy store environment.
  3. Make sure your service dog is properly identified: Sam’s Club does not require service dogs to wear a vest or any other form of identification, but it’s a good idea to have some form of identification on your dog that clearly indicates they are a service animal. This can help avoid any confusion or misunderstandings with store employees or other customers.
  4. Keep your service dog on a leash or harness: Even if your service dog is very well-behaved, it’s still important to keep them on a leash or harness while in the store. This ensures that they stay close to you and under your control at all times.
  5. Be prepared to answer questions: While Sam’s Club employees are not allowed to ask about your disability or require proof of your service dog’s training, they may ask if your dog is a service animal and what tasks they are trained to perform. Be prepared to answer these questions in a polite and respectful manner.
  6. Avoid taking your service dog into areas where they are not allowed: While service dogs are generally allowed to go anywhere their owner goes, there may be certain areas of Sam’s Club stores where they are not allowed, such as the food court or pharmacy. It’s important to be aware of these restrictions and avoid taking your service dog into these areas.
  7. Clean up after your service dog: If your service dog needs to relieve themselves while in the store, be sure to clean up after them. Sam’s Club provides bags and disposal stations for this purpose.
  8. Remember that your service dog is there to assist you: While it can be tempting to let other customers pet or interact with your service dog, it’s important to remember that your dog is there to assist you and should not be distracted or disrupted from their duties. Encourage others to give your service dog space and avoid distracting them.

By following these tips, you can help ensure a successful and positive experience when taking your service dog to Sam’s Club stores.

FAQ

Are there any size restrictions for service dogs allowed in Sam’s Club?


No, Sam’s Club does not have any size restrictions for service dogs allowed in their stores. However, owners are responsible for ensuring their service dog is under control and not posing a safety risk to other customers or employees.

Do I need to show proof of my service dog’s vaccinations to bring them into Sam’s Club?


No, Sam’s Club does not require proof of vaccinations for service dogs to be allowed inside their stores. However, it is always a good idea to keep your service dog up-to-date on their vaccinations for their own health and safety.

Can I bring other types of pets, such as cats or birds, into Sam’s Club?


No, Sam’s Club only allows service dogs inside their stores. Other types of pets, such as cats or birds, are not permitted.

Can I leave my dog outside while I shop at Sam’s Club?


No, leaving your dog outside while you shop at Sam’s Club is not permitted. All dogs must be brought inside the store and kept under control by their owner at all times.

What should I do if I see a dog in Sam’s Club that is not following the pet policy guidelines?


If you see a dog in Sam’s Club that is not following the pet policy guidelines, you should notify a store associate immediately. They will take appropriate action to ensure the safety and comfort of all customers and employees.

Can I Take My Cat To Sam’s Club?

No, you cannot take your cat to the Sam’s Club stores. Only service animals are allowed in the shops.

Does Sam’s Club Allow Pets In Strollers?

It’s always best to ask the store directly about their personal policy on stroller-bound pooches. Some stores might not allow dogs in strollers for safety reasons, as strollers can be easily toppled over. It’s always polite to ask the store employees before bringing your pet inside.

Can You Put A Dog In Your Shopping Cart At Sam’s Club?

Customers have reported seeing animals and dogs being transported in Sam’s Club shopping carts. However, this is against the law (FDA guidelines).

Shopping carts should only be used to carry groceries and other items. As a result, transporting a dog or any other animal is not permitted. If an Sam’s Club employee sees you carrying your dog in a shopping cart, you will likely be asked to leave the store.

Can Service Dogs Sit In Shopping Carts At Sam’s Club?

Service dogs are not allowed to sit in shopping carts at Sam’s Club, or be on a mat or inside of baskets. This policy has always been in place. The rule is in place due to food safety regulations that the store has to follow. Exception to the rule are not easy to come by.

Conclusion. Are Dogs Allowed In Sam’s Club?

The official pet policy of Sam’s Club is that dogs are not permitted… Unofficially, though, some stores may appear to be more permissive. It’s ultimately up to the store manager to enforce company policy. This is why there are individuals who do and will bring their dogs into certain Sam’s Club locations.

Whether or not you should be considered separately. Simply think about your dog’s temperament and how well-socialized and trained they are. Aside from that, this rule is in place for a reason.

Leave a Comment