Is Kohl’s Pet-Friendly? Kohl’s Pet Policy Explained (Updated for 2022)

Kohl’s remains one of the most popular large retailers in the world. The large selection of clothes and other products makes it a popular destination for shoppers.

For pet owners, bringing their four-legged friend to their favorite stores is not only fun for them, but also very beneficial to their dog. So, if you find yourself asking: “is Kohl’s pet-friendly? Can I bring my dog to Kohl’s stores?”, you’re in the right place.

Kohl’s is not a pet-friendly store. Their official policy is that they do not allow pets inside the stores. The only exception to this policy is for service animals. Some pet owners report success in bringing their pets to Kohl’s despite their policy, but most store managers prohibit pets completely.

In this post, we are going to take an in-depth look at the Kohl’s pet policy and give you the information that you need to know in order to decide whether you should bring your dog to Kohl’s. As dog owners, this information is crucially important, especially if you are considering bringing your dog into a Kohl’s store.

Kohl’s Official Pet Policy

The best way to determine whether you should bring your dog to a store is to simply learn about their official pet policy. In the case of Kohl’s this is easier said than done. They do not publish their pet policy on their site, but their policy prohibiting pets is pretty well-known.

To verify this policy, we asked some Kohl’s employees about the current pet policy.

A former associate said: “IIRC there’s a sticker on our sliding doors that says “service animals only” or something like that. That said, as long as a customer is being responsible with their pet, I usually let them carry on.”

A current employee said: “My store usually just lets them be, as long as they aren’t bothering anyone. I know a while back, corporate sent out a guide on how to handle animals in the store. Yes it is only for service animals, but you have to be careful when questioning the owner because you’re basically asking if they have a disability if asking if it’s a service animal.”

So, the policy is somewhat ambiguous. It seems that some pets will be tolerated, but the official policy is that pets are not allowed in the stores.

The best way to know about the pet policy of your local Kohl’s is to actually call your local store manager and ask.

Types of Pets Allowed in Kohl’s

Just because pets are prohibited in Kohl’s does not mean that all animals are banned from Kohl’s. Here are some of the types of animals that can gain entry into Kohl’s.

Service Animals

Per the ADA requirements, Kohl’s must allow service animals into their stores. Service animals are typically dogs, but occasionally other types of animals are used. They must be properly trained and under the control of their handler at all times. Many people believe that an emotional support animal (ESA) is a service animal, but that is not the case.

Guide Dogs (Service Animal)

Another type of dog that is allowed in Kohl’s is a guide dog. These dogs are specially trained to help those with vision impairments navigate their environment. They must be permitted to enter Kohl’s stores due to ADA guidelines, just like service dogs.

Types of Pets Not Allowed in Kohl’s

Now that you know what types of dogs can gain entry, let’s recap some of the dogs that are not allowed in Kohl’s stores. The store is not dog-friendly to many types of dogs

Emotional Support Animals

Emotional Support Animals are commonly grouped with service dogs, but there is indeed many differences. These animals are not allowed in Kohl’s stores, as they are not considered service animals. They are not trained, and thus are not afforded the same rights and guarantees as service dogs under the ADA.

Pet Dogs

Kohl’s does not allow pet dogs in the stores. They are not one of the dog-friendly stores that you can bring your dog to. This basic rule should answer your question: “Does Kohl’s allow dogs?”.

Even if your dog is well-behaved and you are confident that it will not pose a problem, your local store manager can still ask you to leave. Some people report that it depends on your local store’s pet policy and that management doesn’t ask for service animal verification.

Pet dogs, cats, and other pet animals are not allowed in Kohl’s stores.

Therapy Dogs (Not a Service Dog)

Another type of dog that is not allowed in Kohl’s stores is a therapy dog. They are similar to ESAs. These dogs are not trained to do specific tasks, and thus cannot be classified as service animals.

Reasons for the Kohl’s Pet Policy

Pet owners may be disappointed by Kohl’s pet policy that prohibits dogs and other pets, but they have many good reasons for this policy. Mainly, Kohl’s does this to ensure that other customers have a good shopping experience. Here are some of the reasons that Kohl’s has decided to adopt this policy.

Protect Merchandise

Kohl’s stores have a policy that prohibits dogs and other pets from entering the store. This policy is in place to protect the merchandise in the store. Pets can be unpredictable and may damage or destroy merchandise if they are allowed in the store. In addition, pets can be a distraction to customers and may cause a disturbance in the store. Kohl’s wants to ensure that their customers have a positive shopping experience and that the merchandise is protected from harm.

Shopper Safety

Pets can be unpredictable and often cause a disturbance in the store. This policy helps to provide a safe and enjoyable shopping experience for all Kohl’s customers. Only service dogs are allowed, and the store, Kohl’s customer service agent, or individual store manager will refuse service to dog owners that bring their pet instead of going to more dog-friendly stores.

In addition, your local Kohl’s store does not want to be liable for any injuries that may occur as a result of a pet being in the store. By prohibiting pets, Kohl’s is protecting both its customers and employees, even if that decision is sometimes at the store manager’s discretion.

Finally, Kohl’s wants to ensure that all shoppers feel comfortable in its stores. Pets can often be disruptive and create an unwelcome environment for some shoppers.

Pets are an important part of many families, and it can be disappointing when they are not allowed into a store. However, Kohl’s has put in place several policies that make it a welcoming place for everyone, including those who do not have pets.

Stores With Similar Policies

Sometimes, in an effort to better understand the pet policy and motives of a retailer, it can be helpful to look at stores that have similar pet policies. One example of a similar policy that comes to mind is Home Depot’s pet policy. Home Depot officially doesn’t allow pets, but some people report success. That makes it very similar to Kohl’s.

Another store that has a similar pet policy is Target. Target officially doesn’t allow pets, but has been known to be lenient.

Let’s Recap

Kohl’s pet policy prohibits dogs and other pets from entering their stores. This policy is in place to protect the merchandise and provide a safe environment for all customers.

Service dogs are allowed, as they are specially trained to help those with disabilities navigate their environment. Pets such as emotional support animals or therapy dogs are not allowed in Kohl’s stores, as they are not considered service animals.

Ultimately, Kohl’s pet policy helps to ensure that all shoppers feel comfortable in their stores and that the merchandise remains safe from harm. Thank you for taking the time