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Are Dogs Allowed in CVS?

By: Author Paris Permenter

The largest pharmacy chain in the US, CVS has over 10,000 stores across the country. Whether you are picking up a prescription or running in for some convenience items, CVS is definitely a popular stop for many shoppers–but are dogs allowed in CVS with you on your shopping trip?

Dogs are not allowed in CVS Pharmacy stores. As with convenience stores like QuikTrip or 7-11 or other pharmacy chains such as Walgreens, pet dogs are not permitted in CVS stores due to the many food items.

Can I bring a service dog in CVS?

You can bring a trained service dog that is required to assist you in any CVS store under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In some states, you can also bring a service dog in training–but that depends on the state laws governing service dog in training access.

According to the ADA, “Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets.”

However, please realize that if you have an emotional support dog that dog does not have the same rights as a service dog. Therapy dogs also do not have the rights of a service dog.

Service dogs going to CVS do not need to wear a special service dog vest, harness or tag but store employees have the right to ask you two questions of your service dog:

  1. whether the service animal is required because the person has a disability
  2. what type of work or task the service animal is trained to perform

If your dog is not a trained service dog, do not bring your dog to a CVS and try to misrepresent your dog as a service dog. Depending on the location, misprepresenting your dog as a service dog can carry a fine of up to $1000.

Look for Dog-Friendly Stores

Even though you can’t take your dog into CVS on your shopping trips, many stores welcome dogs, at least in some locations! Our list of 100+ dog-friendly stores features places you may be able to shop with your dog in your home town–and check other “can I bring my dog” posts for detailed information on specific stores.

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Paris Permenter
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This post originally appeared on DogTipper.com and is the sole property of DogTipper.com.