As someone who loves a cup of coffee and long walks with your dog, it’s important to know if Starbucks allows dogs in their location. This becomes even more important if you’re someone who has an emotional support animal (ESA) or a service dog. With over 15,000 Starbucks locations spread across all 50 states, it’s necessary to learn the laws about dogs in public spaces and take a deeper look into Starbucks’ pet policy.
The good news is that we’re here to help. We’ll take you through what you need to know about taking your dog to Starbucks. Read on to learn more below.
What Is Starbucks?
We know that most people know what Starbucks is because it’s one of the most popular coffee shops in the world. That said, that doesn’t mean everyone is familiar with the brand. Starbucks is a coffee shop and cafe that sells an assortment of coffee, specialty coffee, and baked goods. In fact, you can even have hot meals there for breakfast and lunch. Most locations are open early in the morning but close at night. So, they’re not like fast food restaurants that are open late.
That said, most Starbucks locations do have a drive-through that’s open late. Some Starbucks locations may be open 24 hours. This is more common along busy roads, highways, and rest stops.
Does Starbucks Offer Any Dog-Related Products?
Despite Starbucks being a coffee shop that serves food and coffee for people, it’s also pet-friendly. While you can’t always bring your dog inside Starbucks, the staff can make you something known as a pup cup. These are small cups with whipped cream in them for dogs to enjoy.
As long as your dog enjoys whipped cream and some other flavors, they’ll enjoy a pup cup from Starbucks. You can order these at the counter if you tell the staff about your dog. These are more of a secret menu item, so keep this in mind.
Is Starbucks Pet Friendly?
Some Starbucks locations are dog-friendly, whereas other locations are not. Whether or not a Starbucks is dog-friendly depends on the current manager, company policy that’s subject to change, and the specific location. However, all Starbucks locations allow service animals and sometimes ESAs if you have a letter.
You’ll also encounter pet-friendly Starbucks locations when you find an outdoor eating or drinking area. These locations are often safe for pets as long as they’re well-behaved.
Are Dogs Allowed in Starbucks?
Yes, dogs are allowed in Starbucks under the right conditions. According to Starbucks’ store policy, dogs typically aren’t allowed inside Starbucks stores. This means that you can’t bring them inside the building. The only exception is if the manager decides to let you in the building or if you have a service animal. You can bring in a service dog because they’re exempt from these rules and protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
While you can’t bring a dog inside Starbucks, that doesn’t mean you don’t have other options. Learn more about how you can bring your dog to Starbucks below.
Can You Bring Your Dog to a Starbucks Drive-Through?
Yes, you can bring your dog to a Starbucks drive-through. As long as the dog remains inside the vehicle, you don’t have to worry about being asked to leave. Additionally, make sure your dog isn’t inclined to jump through the drive-through window or attack employees.
Ultimately, as long as your dog is well-behaved, you can bring them through the Starbucks drive-through.
Can You Bring a Dog With You for Curbside Pickup?
Yes, you can bring a dog with you for curbside pickup. This involves waiting in a parking space near the Starbucks location, so you don’t have to worry about going inside. As long as your dog is friendly and well-behaved, there’s no reason you can’t bring them with you for curbside pickup. That said, make sure you understand how curbside pickup works in your area because sometimes you can’t be outside on foot with a dog.
Can You Have Dogs Outside Starbucks?
Absolutely, you can bring your dog to sit with you outside Starbucks. In fact, many Starbucks have patio seating outside. We recommend visiting a Starbucks that has this option if you plan on bringing your dog. Still, make sure your dog is well-behaved and on a leash if possible. This ensures that you don’t have to worry about your dog messing with other patrons.
While Starbucks doesn’t always allow dogs on the premises, there are plenty of ways to bring your dog to Starbucks. You can also call the location you plan on visiting first if you’d like to give them a heads-up about an ESA or different pet.
Are Dogs Allowed in Starbucks in Other Countries?
Dogs are allowed in Starbucks in other countries, but it depends on the laws of that country. For example, the United Kingdom has laws similar to those of the United States. This means that service dogs are allowed in Starbucks, but other animals might not be allowed. Starbucks is a United States company, so its policy typically follows them through other countries.
Aside from the United Kingdom, some other countries have dog-friendly Starbucks locations. Korea, for example, has a dog-friendly Starbucks that doesn’t require an ESA letter or service dog registration. Additionally, many Starbucks in areas with a warm climate will have a patio area. Just like in the United States, you can have your dog sit outside with you without having to worry.
Are Dogs Allowed in Starbucks at the Airport?
Starbucks has several thousand locations around the world, so it’s no surprise that a handful of them are found within airport terminals. While most airport locations follow the same instructions as other stores, you have to keep in mind the location of the store. For example, it might be an airport in a country that doesn’t follow US laws. So, make sure you check on that before you even bring your dog to the airport.
That said, for US Starbucks airport locations, yes, you can bring your dog. Typically, people will only have service dogs or ESAs at the airport, so most Starbucks employees are more lenient. Additionally, most Starbucks at airports don’t have cafe areas where people can sit. Instead, it’s more or less waiting in line. So, you shouldn’t have any issues at airport locations.
However, make sure you check with the specific Starbucks you’re visiting to determine if your dog can accompany you.
Are Emotional Support Animals Allowed in Starbucks?
Yes, emotional support animals (ESAs) are allowed in Starbucks under the right circumstances. It’s best to come prepared with your ESA letter for the best success. Otherwise, make sure you call the store ahead of time. Remember, Starbucks doesn’t have to honor an ESA request because they’re no longer protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Also, you’ll have a higher chance of success if your ESA is a dog. Because dogs are more commonly seen out in public, unlike cats, for example, you’ll have a higher chance of success. That said, you might be able to bring in other animals if they’re wearing a vest or on a leash—while a vest isn’t a requirement, it can help validate your need for your ESA to be with you.
A cat on the leash wouldn’t be the strangest thing we’ve ever seen.
What Is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
An emotional support animal (ESA) is any type of pet that helps keep someone calm by treating a mental health disorder. Most ESAs are used for conditions like anxiety, PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder. These dogs can help their owners by providing comfort, support, and affection.
In the past, ESAs used to be protected under the same rules as service dogs. However, this is no longer the case, and ESAs are only protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). This act allows you to live at home with an ESA, even if the area is not pet-friendly. You’ll just need an ESA letter to live there.
What Is an ESA Letter?
An ESA letter is a letter that’s written by a licensed mental health professional about the status of your mental health condition and pet. You can only get these letters from licensed mental health professionals, and writing one yourself is a crime that will result in legal problems, penalties, and even jail time.
The perk of having an ESA letter is that it allows you to do things that other pets can’t. Typically, this has to do with housing. Without an ESA letter, you can’t bring a dog, cat, or other pet into an apartment that’s not dog-friendly. However, if you can provide your landlord with one of these letters, you can.
In summary, the purpose of these letters is to bring your dog to places you otherwise can’t. This sometimes includes Starbucks.
How to Get an ESA Letter
Getting an ESA letter is straightforward when you know where to look. While you can visit your doctor in person to get a letter written, the best way to get an ESA letter today is to go online. When you go online we can help you connect with a licensed mental health professional to get an ESA letter.
Additionally, the steps are easy when you work with US Service Animals; all you have to do is follow a few quick steps, which we list below.
- Start by visiting our ESA registration page.
- Then, fill out your name, phone number, date of birth, and other relevant information about yourself.
- Next, enter your state to see if US Service Animals has resources at your location.
- Once you select the state, navigate to the next questionnaire, which is about your dog.
- Enter some general information about your dog. This includes their name, date of birth, height, and weight.
- Schedule a call with a licensed mental health professional.
- Wait for the call and discuss your condition with the mental health professional.
- Wait for your letter to arrive.
Following these steps will help you get an ESA with US Service Animals. You won’t have to worry about being denied apartment housing, and you can even get into most Starbucks with an ESA letter.
Are Service Dogs Allowed in Starbucks?
Yes, you can bring your service dog to Starbucks. Service dogs, unlike other pets, have many protections by law. Acts like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protect service dogs in public spaces and businesses. As long as your dog is well-behaved you shouldn’t have any issues.
To avoid any confrontations, we always recommend keeping your service dog on a leash, close to you, and in a service dog vest. You shouldn’t have any issues with any type of service dog in Starbucks, regardless of its status as a physical service dog or psychiatric service dog.
What Is a Service Dog
Service dogs are dogs that are trained to perform a specific task for their owner. Tasks vary in complexity and can range from helping someone navigate a crowd to reminding someone that it’s time to take medications.
Depending on the skill you need, the process of training and getting a service dog is different. For example, training a psychiatric service dog is a different process than training one that handles physical needs like pulling a wheelchair or helping a blind person navigate a crowd.
Service dogs are protected by laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), and the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Each of these acts gives service dogs special privileges that range from allowing them to live with a tenant to allowing them in public spaces and or on aircraft and planes.
How Do You Get a Service Dog?
Getting a service dog isn’t always easy. First and foremost, you need a well-trained dog. Service dog training takes many years and will cost you thousands of dollars in some cases. While you can train a service dog at home, it’s always best to work with a professional. Once the training is complete, you can register your service dog.
US Service Animals makes it a breeze to register your service dog. Just follow the steps below to get started.
- Head over to our service animal registration form.
- Enter your first and last name, along with any other relevant information about yourself.
- Navigate to the next form, which asks for your dog’s information.
- Enter their name, height, weight, and other relevant information like their temperament and the type of training they have.
- Follow the remaining steps to complete the process. These steps vary based on your dog.
Registering a service dog with US Service Animals is easy, affordable, and lasts you a lifetime. So, if you want to take your dog to any Starbucks this is an important part of the process.
What Are the Best Service Dog Breeds?
The best service dog breeds are subjective. Ultimately, it depends on your needs. If you want a dog that you can take with you to public spaces, like a Starbucks, you’ll want a dog that has a calm temperament and friendly attitude. We list some good service dogs to bring with you to cafes like Starbucks below:
- Poodles
- German shepherds
- Golden retrievers
- Border collies
- Boxers
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Beagle
- Labrador retrievers
Any of these breeds make great company when you’re visiting a cafe or location like Starbucks.
How Much Does Service Dog Training Cost?
Service dog training is expensive. The average trainer can cost between $10,000 and $20,000, depending on the task that needs to be trained. For this reason, it’s best to adopt a service dog that has already gone through the training. You’ll spend more upfront, but you won’t run the risk of wasting thousands of dollars on your investment.
Tips for Bringing Your Dog to Starbucks
Planning on bringing your service dog, ESA, or pet to Starbucks? Follow some of the tips below to make the most out of your experience.
Make Sure Your Service Dog or ESA Is in a Vest
The best way to avoid any problems when entering a Starbucks with your dog is to bring in a dog that is wearing an ESA or service animal vest. It’s the best way to walk through a Starbucks without having to be questioned about your dog’s status. Starbucks employees also won’t typically ask about your dog’s status because it’s against the law to do so. Therefore, bringing a vest is the best way to stay under the radar in Starbucks.
While identifying things like vests or specific leashes are not a requirement under the ADA, it can be helpful. It’s important to note that putting your dog in vests or leashes that label them as a service animal or ESA is against the law in most states and can result in fines.
Train Your Dog
If you have an ESA or pet dog, make sure they have some basic training. Before taking them to Starbucks or other public locations, make sure they understand commands like sit, stay, and no. Otherwise, they might get rowdy around other patrons or dogs. Socialization is also key when you plan on visiting these locations. You can socialize your dog by boarding them, training them in groups, or going to a dog park.
Keep Your Dog Away From Others
The best way to not get into trouble in a Starbucks is to keep your dog away from others. Unless they want to pet or interact with your dog, make sure you don’t have them sniffing around people. Some people might be allergic or scared of dogs.
Call Ahead
One of our favorite tips is to call ahead. If you’re going to Starbucks and want to take your dog, just call and ask. As long as you’re reasonable on the phone and have a well-trained dog, you shouldn’t have any issues.
Following these tips will make the experience as pleasant as possible for you and your dogs.
What Are Some Examples of Other Dog-Friendly Cafes
Starbucks doesn’t have a monopoly on being a cafe that serves coffee, breakfast, and other foods. In fact, there are plenty of alternative cafes you can try depending on your location. Some great examples include places like:
- Dunkin Donuts (some locations)
- Tim Hortons
- Muddy Paw Wash & Coffee Bar
- Soul Brew
- Some Panera Bread locations
If you want to learn more about dog-friendly locations in your area, make sure you make a localized search. For example, there are more than 11 dog-friendly coffee spots in New York alone.
Bring Your Dog to Starbucks Today
Starbucks is one of the best places in the United States to sit down, relax, and have a cup of coffee. Therefore, it makes sense that people want to bring their dogs with them. In most cases, you can get away with bringing your dog into a Starbucks if you know the staff and they decide to give you some wiggle room on company policy. Even if you can’t get through the door with your dog, most locations have an outdoor patio area where you can sit with your dog.
On the other hand, if you have a service dog, you don’t have to worry. You can bring them into Starbucks anytime because the law allows you to do so. Additionally, you might be able to get in with an emotional support animal (ESA) letter.
Always make sure you brush up on Starbucks’ company policy, laws in your state, and federal regulations before entering Starbucks with a dog.