Animal lovers will often take their pet with them whenever they go out as many stores accommodate dog owners.
However, many don’t, and if you’re an avid customer at Kohl’s, you may be wondering if they fall into that category? So, does Kohl’s allow dogs in their store? Keep reading below to see what I discovered!
Key Takeaways
Does Kohl’s Allow Dogs In 2022?
Kohl’s does not allow dogs in their stores as of 2022 as they aim to provide a safe environment for both customers and staff. The only exception to this rule is for service animals as defined by the ADA, which Kohl’s stores do allow. However, some Kohl’s stores have been known to allow dogs in-store.
If you’d like more information on why pets are not allowed in Kohl’s, how your service animal can be permitted, and more, keep reading!
Why Doesn’t Every Kohl’s Store Allow Dogs?
Kohl’s pet policy is not made available on their website, so I reached out to a couple of Kohl’s customer service agents to help answer this question.
One response I kept on getting was “the admittance of pets into Kohl’s is left up to each individual store manager”.
So while many reports state that pets aren’t allowed into Kohl’s stores due to the risk of customers/staff who have allergies, it does ultimately rests upon each store manager.
Additionally, while each Kohl’s store is different, it does seem that most store managers do not allow dogs/pets as they want to prevent any health and safety issues.
How Can I Find Out If My Local Kohl’s Allows Dogs In The Store?
Kohl’s customer service urges customers to contact the closest Kohl’s in their area, and that store manager will give you their local pet policy.
This can be done with the assistance of a Kohl’s customer service agent over their virtual chat, by telephone, or by email to your local Kohl’s.
Does Kohl’s Allow Service Animals?
While not every Kohl’s allows pets, most will permit service animals for those who require them. Again, this is left up to the store manager of your local Kohl’s.
However, if your service animal is an absolute necessity (for example, those who are sight and hearing impaired), then Kohl’s cannot refuse you service.
This situation should not be confused with emotional support animals, which are not allowed into every Kohl’s location.
Can Kohl’s Ask If Your Pet Is A Service Animal?
Kohl’s may be allowed to ask if your pet is a service animal. However, they do not have the authority to ask for service animal verification, such as paperwork.
According to the ADA, such a question falls under discrimination laws. Therefore, any employee of a Kohl’s store, including the manager may face consequences for asking for service animal papers.
Can Kohl’s Refuse To Serve Me If I Require A Service Animal?
Kohl’s will only have the right to refuse service to a customer with a service animal for a justifiable reason. According to the ADA, this includes:
- The animal’s behavior exhibiting dangerous signs and posing a threat to customers and staff
- The animals presence results in a fundamental alteration of the function of the business (for example, barking in a movie theatre)
If a Kohl’s employee tries service and their reasons don’t fall within the above categories, they can’t prevent you or your animal from entering the store.
How Can I Shop At Kohl’s If I Need My Dog With Me?
If you aren’t able to surrender the watch of your dog and need to get the shopping done, Kohl’s has you covered!
Since April 2020, Kohl’s now offers curbside purchase and pickup! The process is very simple:
- Place your shopping order using the website or the Kohl’s App, under the “Kohl’s Drive Up Purchase” option
- Once your order is ready, you’ll receive an email telling you to come pick it up
- Take your dog with you in your car and drive to your local Kohl’s, where you can pick up the order in the Drive Up Orders section of the parking lot
If you are looking to learn more about shopping at Kohl’s, you can see our related posts on whether or not Walgreens allows dogs, if Kroger allows dogs and if CVS allow dogs.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, there is no straight answer for whether or not Kohl’s will allow dogs into their store. According to their customer service providers, the admittance of animals into the store varies per store manager.
In other words, some locations will allow animals, while others may not. Kohl’s customer service recommends checking out your local store’s pet policy, which they can either do for you or you can phone/email the Kohl’s in your area.
If you require the aid of a service animal due to a disability, you may have more leeway with your local Kohl’s pet policy!
While not every Kohl’s allows service animals to enter the store, they may allow it if the animal’s presence is vital to your needs (for example, someone who is sight or hearing impaired).
Kohl’s can only refuse service to a customer with a service animal for a justifiable reason so defined by the ADA. If they don’t have a justifiable reason not to serve you, then you may enter Kohl’s with your service animal.
However, if you have to keep your dog with you and need to shop at Kohls, you can take advantage of their Drive Up Order service, which will not require you or your dog to enter the store.