When you’re a pup owner, arranging a trip to the shops can be a total nightmare. You have to hire a dogsitter (or enlist the help of a close friend), plan the trip in advance, and rush your time shopping to get back to your pup as soon as possible.
But fortunately, there are some stores in the US that do allow dogs, and Marshalls is one of them! We’ll discuss Marshalls’ position on pets and their specific policies below. We’ll also recommend a few other pet-friendly stores.
What Is Marshalls?
Marshalls is a popular off-price department store chain where customers can pick up apparel, homeware, gifts, and beauty products, among other goods. Marshalls has over 1,000 stores located all throughout the US and is owned by TJX Companies.
Are Dogs Allowed in Marshalls?
While Marshalls hasn’t disclosed their pet policy on their website, we took the time to get in touch with their customer support team and asked them directly if pet dogs are allowed in the stores.
The support team informed us that many Marshalls do allow our canine friends! Most stores adopt the following policy: “Pets are allowed in our stores as long as they are controlled and do not present a direct threat to the safety of others.”
In short, this means Marshalls stores typically accommodate well-behaved, housebroken dogs that are kept under control at all times.
However, the Marshalls’ support team also stressed that while this is the case for the majority of stores, the pet policy can vary depending on the state and the location you’re shopping at. Some stores may have no-pet policies or have specific restrictions (such as breed bans).
Due to this, we highly recommend calling up your local Marshalls store before taking your pup there. The staff are usually quick to respond and they’ll be more than happy to deal with your query.
You can find the contact information of your local Marshalls store by using the dedicated store locator tool on the official website. Simply search for your specific area and state, and the tool will show you all the Marshalls nearby, listing each store’s opening hours and contact details.
Can I Take My Emotional Support Dog to Marshalls?
An emotional support dog (ESD) is a dog who helps mitigate the symptoms of an emotional or mental disability through their companionship.
Emotional support dogs are prescribed by licensed mental healthcare professionals and are protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) federal law, which exempts them from property-related pet policies and fees. For example, a landlord can not deny housing to an individual with an ESD and can’t charge “pet rent.”
While the FHA does grant emotional support dogs additional property rights, they aren’t protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and don’t receive public access rights. Due to this, there is no legal obligation for stores to accommodate ESDs.
However, since Marshalls do typically allow pet dogs, it’s safe to assume they’ll accommodate emotional support dogs too! Just make sure they’re housebroken and know their basic obedience. They also shouldn’t disrupt or endanger other customers.
Are Service Dogs Allowed in Marshalls?
A service dog is a dog who has undergone stringent training to perform specialized, disability-relieving tasks. The exact tasks they perform can vary depending on their owner’s disability and needs. For example, if their owner has a mobility-related disability, a service dog may be trained to provide balance assistance and guide them around obstacles.
Service dogs are allowed in all Marshalls stores, regardless of the state, location, or the pet policies in place. This is because service dogs are considered working dogs and, unlike emotional support dogs, are protected under the ADA and receive public access rights.
A business can only deny a service dog entry if they aren’t housebroken or endanger other
customers — both instances that shouldn’t apply if your service dog has undergone proper training.
Workers at Marshalls are also only allowed to ask you two specific questions about your service dog:
- “Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?”
- “What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?”
If a staff member tries to ask you any personal questions about the nature of your disability, or demands that you show them your service dog’s trained tasks, this would be considered discrimination and is a breach of your rights.
Can I Leave My Dog in the Car?
Most pup parents know that if the weather is scorching outside, it isn’t safe to leave a dog in the car — but temperatures don’t necessarily have to be scorching to put your dog at risk of serious danger. Cars absorb heat and can reach high temperatures rapidly, and even outside temperatures as low as 70°F can be deadly.
Never leave your dog alone in the car if the outdoor temperature is above 70°F, though ideally you should avoid leaving them in the car no matter how hot it is outside. The weather is unpredictable and can change quickly, and other factors can play a role too, such as the car model or if it’s positioned in direct sunlight.
If you have absolutely no choice but to leave your dog in the car, keep your shopping trip to five minutes at most. It’s possible to leave your dog in the car for longer if you have the air conditioning on, but we still advise keeping your shopping trip short. If your air conditioning suddenly stops working or develops a fault, your pup will be at serious risk.
Not only that, but a concerned passerby may be alarmed by the sight of your pup in the car and break the window to free them. In several states, citizens are legally allowed to use any means necessary to save an animal they suspect is in danger, meaning you would be liable for the damages.
Why Do Some Stores Not Allow Dogs?
Although Marshalls stores are typically dog-friendly, the majority of shops in the US unfortunately do not allow pets. There are a few reasons for this, including:
Allergies
Many people in the US suffer from pet allergies and struggle to be around animals. Shops always strive to provide a comfortable, enjoyable experience for as many customers as possible, so keeping pets out ensures those with allergies can shop with ease too.
Hygiene
There’s no denying that dogs aren’t exactly… the cleanest animals out there. They shed fur practically everywhere and love to roll in dirt and lick everything in sight. Not only that, but pups who aren’t accustomed to a shop environment may accidentally soil inside the store, leaving behind unsanitary messes.
Many shops therefore choose to keep their doors closed to dogs to prevent their premises from getting dirty. This is especially the case at stores that sell perishable goods, like grocery stores.
Safety
While your pup may be fully trained and well-mannered, this isn’t the case for all dogs. Dogs that are poorly behaved, aggressive, or destructive can endanger others or disrupt the store’s operations.
Dogs can also harbor parasites like fleas, which can spread like wildfire in a bustling, shop environment.
Preparing Your Dog for Their Shopping Trip
While Marshalls does generally accept dogs at their stores, that doesn’t mean they accept all dogs — they only allow dogs that are under control, housebroken, and won’t disrupt the experience of other customers at the store.
That’s why it’s so important to ensure your dog is truly ready for a shop environment. They should know their basic obedience and be accustomed to busy, noisy areas. They should also know key commands like “leave it” and “drop it” and respond to them reliably.
Always remember to put your dog’s well-being first too. If they have reactivity issues, are fearful of strangers, or get anxious in unfamiliar, hectic environments, then a shop likely isn’t the best place to take them.
Lastly, make sure to keep your dog on a short, secure leash. This ensures your dog will never wander out of your sight, and it’ll also show both store workers and customers that you have full control over them.
Mutts at Marshalls: A Quick Recap
Most Marshalls stores happily accept pet dogs on their premises, as long as they’re well-behaved. However, this isn’t the case for every branch. Always phone up the store you intend to visit in advance to find out whether they’ll accommodate your dog.
Service dogs receive public access rights under the ADA, meaning they are legally allowed to enter any Marshalls store, even stores that have no-pet policies in place.
Emotional support dogs are considered pets under federal law. They must therefore abide by the store’s pet policies.