When you see people walking their dogs down the aisles at Lowe’s stores, you may be tempted to think that it’s part of their overall policy. However, things aren’t so black and white, and knowing the difference between that which is required by law and that which is simply permitted within the bounds of a manager’s decision can prevent you from an embarrassing encounter at the entrance.
What Is Lowe’s Official Policy?
Unlike some stores that have an officially written, nationwide pet policy that guarantees pets the right of entry into their stores, Lowe’s does not have such a policy. However, according to the federal law, all dogs trained as assistance animals cannot be denied access because all public establishments are supposed to accommodate service animals. As far as pet dogs go, it depends on each Lowe’s store.
Service Dogs Have Guaranteed Access
As per ADA, service dogs must be allowed access within retail outlets as long as they are with their disabled owners. Thus, Lowe’s, like any other retail outlet, cannot deny service dogs access, limiting itself to two questions to ask, namely, if the animal is necessary for a particular person due to disability and what tasks it is trained for. Identification documents are not required at all to allow entry into the premises.
What About Regular Pet Dogs?
The situation with pets is different. Some Lowe’s stores allow leashed and well-behaved pets inside their stores, with customers and staff who confirm a pet-friendly policy of Lowe’s stores. However, as this is not an official corporate policy, there might be some other Lowe’s that are more strict with pets, depending on such factors as local regulations, store’s internal space, or personal wishes of a particular store manager. Thus, the best strategy is to contact a particular store beforehand.
Tips for a Smooth Visit
However, should your Lowe’s permit pets inside its premises, a few guidelines will come in handy. Always keep your dog on a leash and in good behavior because this is something that any pet-friendly store would expect of you. Carry some plastic bags to clean up after your pet, should this become necessary. Take care not to allow your dog to roam in the presence of such dangerous items as sharp tools and chemicals found in the abundance in home improvement centers. Should your dog be nervous about noisy and crowded places, a large store would not necessarily suit him.
What About Emotional Support Animals?
However, it is important to note that ESAs do not have the same level of legally guaranteed access rights as service animals. As ESAs are not trained for tasks directly related to their owner’s disability, they cannot be classified as service animals according to the ADA; thus, the access of ESAs to Lowe’s is contingent upon the store’s pet policies. So, if you plan to take your ESA with you to Lowe’s, you should call beforehand just as you would with a pet.
The Bottom Line
Lowe’s may be a real haven for dogs and other pets, but it is based on the discretion of individual stores and not on the official company’s policy, except in the case of service dogs whose access is guaranteed by law.
FAQs
1. Does Lowe’s officially allow all dogs in every store?
No. There is no published pet policy throughout the country – access for regular pets varies by the discretion of the store, while access for service dogs is guaranteed through federal law. Thus, you can be faced with a truly different situation at each Lowe’s store.
2. Can Lowe’s staff ask for proof that my dog is a service animal?
No. The only two questions that Lowe’s employees can ask you are related to whether the service animal is required due to a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform. Anything else is against federal law.
3. Are emotional support animals allowed in Lowe’s?
No. Since emotional support animals are not covered under the ADA, access to such animals in Lowe’s stores will vary according to the general pet policy of the Lowe’s stores.
4. What should I do before bringing my dog to Lowe’s?
Contact your local store in advance and find out their current policy on pets, because these things do vary from place to place. In addition, you might want to find out about any areas of the store that might have a different policy on pets.
5. Does my dog need to be leashed inside Lowe’s?
Yes, almost always. It does not matter if your dog is a service dog or just your regular pet; it should be kept on a leash and under control, and if not, you might be asked to leave the store.
6. Are there hazards to watch for when shopping with a dog at Lowe’s?
Yes. There will be plenty of items at the store that may harm your pet, so always keep your eyes open. Your dog may sniff something and get hurt, so be careful at all times.
