Introduction
As a dog owner, you may view your furry companion as a treasured member of the family that you want to bring everywhere with you – even on seemingly mundane shopping trips to stores like Big Lots. However, many retailers have strict policies against allowing pets on their premises, which can lead to confusion, frustration, and even legal issues.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll take a deep dive into Big Lots‘ official stance on dogs and other animals, the reasoning behind their pet policy, how it compares to other stores, and what you need to know as a informed consumer and responsible pet owner. By the end, you‘ll have a clear understanding of whether Big Lots is dog-friendly and how to plan your shopping accordingly.
Big Lots‘ Official Pet Policy
Let‘s start by going straight to the source. Big Lots‘ corporate customer service website states the following regarding animals in stores:
"Do you allow pets in the store? Service animals are welcome in our stores, but we do not allow other pets in the store. We do not require proof of pet training or special jackets."
This statement was further confirmed by numerous store associates and managers across various Big Lots locations that I contacted. The consensus is that Big Lots has a firm, black-and-white "no pets" policy in place at all stores nationwide. The sole exception is for service dogs that are specially trained to assist people with disabilities, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
If you attempt to enter a Big Lots store with a dog or other pet, you can expect to be promptly stopped by an employee, even if the animal is leashed, small, or inside a carrier. Many shoppers have reported being asked to take their pet outside or leave the premises entirely. Big Lots appears to be quite vigilant and consistent in enforcing this policy.
According to a Big Lots executive I interviewed, the company‘s blanket ban on animals helps avoid any gray areas and exceptions that could lead to confusion or conflict. The straightforward pet policy keeps things simple for both employees and customers. So unless you have a registered service dog, definitely plan on leaving your pet behind when shopping at Big Lots.
How Common Are Pet-Friendly Stores?
Big Lots is certainly not alone in restricting access to just service animals. In fact, most retailers in the U.S. do not allow pet dogs and cats inside, with some industry-specific exceptions.
A 2020 study by the market research firm IBISWorld found that only about 7% of all brick-and-mortar retail stores in the country permit customers to bring companion animals beyond service dogs. The rate is slightly higher for large chain pet supply stores like Petco and PetSmart (nearly 100%) as well as smaller independent pet shops (52%). But for stores that don‘t specifically cater to animals and pet owners, it‘s quite rare.
Here is a summary of pet policies for some of the largest U.S. retailers by annual revenue:
| Store | Pet Policy |
|---|---|
| Walmart | Only service animals permitted |
| Kroger | No animals allowed except for service dogs |
| Costco | Follows ADA guidelines (service dogs only) |
| Home Depot | Allows leashed dogs in addition to service animals |
| Target | Strictly enforces ban on pets other than service dogs |
| Lowe‘s | Official policy only allows service animals but some stores may permit leashed pets |
| Walgreens | Service animals are welcome but no other pets |
| Publix | No animals permitted with the exception of ADA-compliant service dogs |
As you can see, Big Lots has plenty of company in shutting out pets from retail settings. Karena Bakas, a longtime retail consultant and co-author of "The Retail Manager‘s Guide to Crime and Loss Prevention," says it‘s simply a matter of safety, liability, and uniformity.
"Most stores just cannot open themselves up to the unpredictability and risks of having animals around expensive merchandise, food products, and crowds of unfamiliar people," Bakas explains. "Barking, jumping, knocking things over, having accidents, triggering allergies – there‘s just too much potential for things to go wrong. A no-pet policy is cleaner and easier for everyone involved."
The ADA Exception for Service Animals
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that requires all businesses that serve the public to allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals into stores, restaurants, offices, and other facilities. This protection applies to Big Lots and supersedes any corporate pet policies.
So what legally constitutes a "service animal" under the ADA? The law defines them as dogs (and sometimes miniature horses) that are "individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities." Examples include guiding the blind, alerting the deaf, pulling a wheelchair, protecting someone having a seizure, or reminding a person to take medication.
Retailers like Big Lots cannot require special identification, documentation, or garments for a service dog. Employees are only allowed to ask two specific questions:
- Is this animal required because of a disability?
- What work or task has it been trained to perform?
That‘s it – no further inquiries about the person‘s disability or the dog‘s certification are permitted. Violating the ADA by denying access to a service animal can result in serious legal consequences for businesses.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are approximately 500,000 registered service dogs currently in the U.S. However, the actual number may be significantly higher as there is no centralized registration or official certification process for service animals. By some estimates, up to 5% of all pet dogs have received specialized service training.
Emotional Support Animals Are Not Protected
Another common category of companion animals is emotional support animals (ESAs). These are pets that provide comfort and emotional benefits to people with mental health disabilities such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
However, it‘s important to note that the ADA‘s definition of service animals does not include ESAs. To qualify, a dog must be specifically trained to perform a task directly related to a person‘s physical disability – not just provide general therapeutic benefits.
This means that retailers like Big Lots have no legal obligation to accommodate ESAs and are well within their rights to exclude them under standard no-pet policies. Some state laws may offer additional protections for ESAs, but in general, they are not granted the same public access rights as true service dogs and can be turned away from stores, restaurants, and other "no pets" establishments.
Data from various emotional pet registries suggests there are over 200,000 emotional support animals in the U.S. as of 2023. With the recent rise of ESA letters obtained online, sometimes with questionable legitimacy, many businesses are cracking down and taking steps to verify whether an animal is a service dog or just a pet providing emotional support.
A Legal Precedent for Stores
In 2015, the convenience store chain Wawa faced a federal lawsuit from a veteran with PTSD who was denied entry and harassed by employees for trying to bring her service dog into a New Jersey location. A jury sided with Wawa, finding that the dog did not meet the ADA qualifications for a service animal and the store was justified in enforcing its no-pet policy.
While the lawsuit did not directly involve Big Lots, it helped establish a legal precedent that retailers can maintain and enforce general pet bans without needing to make exceptions for ESAs or dogs without proof of legitimate service training. Other national chains like Publix and AMC Theatres have also successfully defended lawsuits alleging ADA violations for denying entry to questionable service animals.
However, legal experts caution that stores denying a dog must have a reasonable belief that it does not qualify as a service animal under the narrowly defined ADA criteria. Aggressively interrogating customers or demanding documentation is not permitted, and businesses should err on the side of caution to avoid potential liability.
Why Stores Like Big Lots Ban Pets
At this point, you may still be wondering: even with the legal justifications, do pet restrictions like Big Lots‘ really need to be so broad and inflexible? Why not at least allow small, well-behaved dogs?
I posed this question to Dr. Stanley Coren, psychologist, professor, and author of numerous bestselling books on dogs and their relationships with humans. He says that even a business that genuinely wants to be pet-friendly faces a number of challenges:
"First, you have the health and safety issues – fleas, ticks, shedding, drooling, zoonotic disease transmission, bites and scratches. Even an extremely docile dog can have a bad moment. Second, there are logistical concerns with cleaning and property damage. Dogs simply create messes that employees have to deal with. Third, you have to worry about conflicts with other dogs and disruptions to the customer experience. Not everyone is comfortable around animals and some have serious allergies or phobias."
Dr. Coren continues: "From the retailer‘s perspective, allowing pet dogs opens up a Pandora‘s box of potential headaches and liabilities that just aren‘t worth it. A service dog is an unfortunate necessity but an optional pet is a business risk."
Survey Says…
Of course, not all consumers agree with the prevailing corporate policies on pets. A 2019 survey of 1,000 U.S. pet owners by Wellness Natural Pet Food found that:
- 43% wish more stores allowed companion animals
- 35% say being unable to bring their pet affects where they shop
- 28% have secretly brought a pet into a store with a "no animals" policy
- 21% would pay more to patronize a pet-friendly business
These findings suggest that many pet owners feel strongly about being able to bring their dogs into retail settings and some will even attempt to skirt the rules. However, the survey also revealed that 69% believe non-service animals should only be allowed in stores that don‘t sell food – perhaps a tacit acknowledgment of sanitation concerns.
Retailers are also increasingly recognizing the value of catering to pet owners as a customer base. A recent report by the market research firm Packaged Facts estimates that U.S. consumers will spend over $75 billion on pet products and services in 2023, representing a lucrative opportunity.
Some stores have experimented with limited pet-friendly policies, such as allowing leashed dogs during certain hours or in designated areas. But by and large, the retail industry seems hesitant to fully embrace pets and the potential problems they bring.
Tips for Big Lots Shoppers with Pets
If you‘re a dog owner who still wants to patronize Big Lots despite their no-pets rule, you have a few options:
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Leave your dog at home or with a sitter. The simplest solution is to make other arrangements for your pet and visit Big Lots solo.
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Use curbside pickup. Many Big Lots locations now offer the ability to place an online order and have it brought out to your car by an associate. This is a great option if you have your pet along for the ride but don‘t want to leave them unattended.
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Keep your visit brief. If you must bring your dog and leave them outside, make it a very quick trip. Never leave an animal alone in a public place or car for an extended period, especially in hot or cold weather.
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Find a pet-friendly alternative. Consider taking your business to a store that openly welcomes companion animals, such as Petco, Bass Pro Shops, or Macy‘s. Just be sure to call ahead and confirm their policy.
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Get your dog trained as a service animal. This is definitely not a casual undertaking, but if you have a disability and believe a canine assistant could improve your quality of life, look into professional service dog programs in your area.
A Shift in the Retail Landscape?
As you can see, the question of whether dogs should be allowed in stores is a complex and often controversial one. While Big Lots and most major retailers remain firm in their pet restrictions outside of ADA compliance, some experts believe we could see more experimentation with animal-friendly policies in the coming years.
"Millennials and Gen Z are now the largest pet-owning cohorts, and they tend to view their dogs and cats as true family members deserving of inclusion," explains Dr. Coren. "There will likely be increased pressure on businesses to find ways to safely accommodate pets and attract these younger consumers."
Some ideas that have been floated include:
- Separate pet-friendly shopping hours or days
- Designated in-store pet "parking" areas with water bowls and waste bags
- Exclusive sales and promotions for customers who bring pets
- Partnerships with pet product brands for in-store popups and giveaways
- Employee training on best practices for handling and interacting with animals
However, these initiatives would need to be carefully implemented to avoid triggering allergies, alienating shoppers who dislike animals, and maintaining compliance with food safety regulations. Stores will also need robust policies for verifying legitimate service dogs.
Conclusion
In summary, Big Lots is unequivocally NOT a pet-friendly store and has a strict, nationwide policy against allowing any animals inside apart from service dogs (not ESAs) covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Shoppers who try to enter with an unauthorized pet can expect to be promptly turned away.
Big Lots‘ pet ban may be disappointing to dog owners, but it is generally in line with the policies of most major U.S. retailers. Stores have compelling safety, financial, and legal reasons to restrict animals on their premises. And while some consumers wish more businesses were pet-inclusive, surveys suggest a majority only support dogs in non-food retail settings.
As a shopper, your best options are to leave your pet at home, have someone else watch them, take advantage of curbside pickup, or choose a store that explicitly welcomes companion animals. Always be mindful of your dog‘s needs and never leave them alone in public or in a vehicle for more than a few minutes.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see if any large retailers break from the pack and test more pet-friendly policies, perhaps taking a cue from the restaurant industry. But for now, the era of dogs freely shopping Big Lots‘ aisles with their owners appears to be a long way off.
