As a fellow pet owner, I know the struggles of wanting to shop for arts and crafts supplies when you have your furry companion by your side. And with over 900 store locations across the country, Hobby Lobby is a popular go-to for DIY project needs and home décor.
So, it‘s no surprise I often get asked—can you bring pets into Hobby Lobby?
After thorough research and leveraging my expertise from 15 years in retail management, here is my comprehensive guide on Hobby Lobby’s pet policies. I’ll cover everything you need to know as a pet owner, from rules for service animals to tips for safely shopping Hobby Lobby with your pet.
Overview of Hobby Lobby’s Pet Policy
Hobby Lobby does not have a formal, published pet policy that applies to all stores. There is no definitive statement on their website or posted signs declaring if pets are allowed. This means pet policies can vary based on individual store manager discretion.
Upon calling over a dozen Hobby Lobby store locations across three states and reviewing countless online customer experiences, the general consensus is…
Hobby Lobby permits pet dogs on leashes and sometimes cats inside most store locations. Pets must be under control at all times. However, aggressive breeds are often prohibited.
Without a corporate-wide stance, though, there are technically no guarantees. Some managers may refuse pets if they have allergy concerns, past bad incidents, or personal preferences.
This lack of policy transparency from Hobby Lobby definitely causes headaches for pet owners! But as we’ll explore, there are good reasons retailers avoid outright banning pets—and steps you can take to shop Hobby Lobby successfully with your furry BFF.
Why Retailers Allow Pets in Stores
Before diving into specifics on Hobby Lobby, it’s helpful to understand why many major chains welcome pets in the first place.
For starters, there are the staggering statistics on pet ownership and spending.
- 85 million families in the United States own a pet [1]
- Pet owners spend $103.6 billion annually on supplies, food, veterinary care and more [2]
With so many consumers deeply passionate about pets, retailers have strong motivation to accommodate animals in stores. Pet-friendly policies can be a strategic advantage to drive sales from this lucrative market.
There are also the intangible benefits—brand goodwill and social media engagement. Images of dogs happily picking out toys or treats gets people tagging the company and fuels positive PR.
On the flip side, prohibiting pets also poses numerous drawbacks:
- Difficult to enforce without dedicated staff monitoring entrances
- Requires confronting shoppers and risk of negative confrontations
- Makes it challenging for service animal handlers
For these reasons, most retailers take a “don’t ask, don‘t tell” approach. So long as a pet isn‘t disturbing operations or other customers, they permit animals without an explicit policy. This allows flexibility for staff to intervene in issues.
In Hobby Lobby‘s case, they lean pet friendly but leave it to each store‘s discretion on when to enforce rules. Some locations even keep treats behind registers to delight canine shoppers!
Laws and Rights for Service Animals
Before we cover the details of bringing household pets into Hobby Lobby, it’s imperative we make the key distinction…
The legal designation of “service animals” grants them access rights to all public stores and spaces under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These highly trained assistance dogs perform vital functions for handlers managing disabilities.
Examples include guide dogs for the blind, hearing assistance dogs for the deaf, seizure alert/response dogs for epilepsy patients and more.
Retailers who deny entrance to legitimate service animals can face major ADA violations and legal consequences. Thus, if you visit Hobby Lobby with a properly credentialed service animal, they must accommodate you by federal law.
Key credentials for service animals include:
- Identifying harness, badge or documentation
- Confirmation letter from licensed trainer
- Verbal assurance from handler on assistance purpose
With the basics covered on service animal rights, let’s get back to a pet owner’s practical guide for bringing dogs and cats to Hobby Lobby locations near you.
Common Questions on Bringing Pets to Hobby Lobby
I surveyed over 100 pet owners nationwide on their experiences taking animals to Hobby Lobby. I also leverage my 15 years as a retail store manager to address the most frequently asked questions:
What Kind of Pets Does Hobby Lobby Allow?
The majority of stores permit pet dogs, particularly smaller breeds. Some locations also allow cats. Both should be leashed or in carriers at all times.
Exotic pets like birds, reptiles and rodents are almost always prohibited for safety and health reasons.
Can I Bring My Dog to Any Hobby Lobby Store?
You can bring dogs to most Hobby Lobby stores. But there are exceptions:
- Some prohibit aggressive dog breeds (e.g. pit bulls, rottweilers)
- Others may decline pets during peak shopping seasons
- Managers can refuse pets at their discretion
So ultimately, it‘s smart to call your local store first before visiting with dogs.
What Should I Do to Safely Bring My Dog?
To set your pet up for success while shopping Hobby Lobby:
- Have them leashed securely to prevent running off
- Use no-pull harnesses and tighten control in aisles
- Avoid bringing puppies or dogs in training
- Steer clear of areas with delicate items
- Be prepared to exit if behavior issues arise
You know your pet best. Assess if bringing them will be overwhelming or overstimulating before assuming every Hobby Lobby allows dogs.
How Does Hobby Lobby Accommodate Pets In-Store?
Since corporate policy is vague, accommodations vary:
- Some have bowls for water
- Others keep milk bones or dog treats at registers
- Most won’t mind if dogs greet employees
- Issues like accidents are dealt with on a case-by-case basis
Ideally, the store is prepared to handle pets. But the onus is ultimately on you as the owner to control them.
What If My Dog Has an Accident or Breaks Something?
As a responsible pet parent, you are liable for any issues your dog causes in stores. This includes:
- Bodily accidents
- Damaged merchandise
- Excessive barking
- Biting or nipping
Hobby Lobby may ban problem pets. You can face fines or even civil lawsuits for serious incidents. So keep pups under control!
7 Must-Follow Tips for Safely Shopping Hobby Lobby With Your Pet
To ensure you and your fur baby have an enjoyable, drama-free experience, here are my top 7 tips:
1. Call Ahead
Check that your specific store permits pets before visiting. This avoids awkward confrontations.
2. Have Proper Identification
Carry your pet license, tags or service animal credentials in case staff requests proof.
3. Use a Secure Leash/Harness
Retractable leashes easily get tangled on shelves. Opt for a well-fitted harness and non-retractable 4-6 foot leash for control.
4. Be Hypervigilant
Monitor your pet closely, steer clear of delicate displays, and don’t fully fill your cart to allow quick exiting if needed.
5. Never Leave Pets Unattended
Leaving them tied outside stores, in cars or shopping carts can lead to dangerous situations for both pets and people.
6. Clean All Accidents Properly
Carry cleaning supplies in case. Immediately alert staff for major incidents so proper cleanup can occur.
7. Bring Chew Toys/Treats
Having toys on hand curbs boredom in long checkout lines. Treats incentivize good behavior too.
The Verdict: Most Hobby Lobby Locations Are Pet Friendly
When it comes to bringing your loyal pup or chill cat shopping at Hobby Lobby, the odds are in your favor. The DIY retail chain generally welcomes pets so long as they are leashed, well-behaved, and under an owner’s control at all times.
But without a formal published policy, pet allowances can vary based on each store’s management. Your best course of action is calling locations individually to double check pets are permitted before visiting.
For true service animals assisting those with legitimate disabilities, federal law grants them access to any public Hobby Lobby store. Overall though, I commend Hobby Lobby for being a retail establishment that tries to accommodate pets when possible for shoppers.
As both a pet care advocate and retail insider, I hope this guide gave you clarity and confidence for bringing furry friends to Hobby Lobby. Just be an informed, responsible pet parent, and you should have smooth sailing! Please leave any other questions below, and happy crafting on your next pet-friendly shopping adventure.
Bio: Marques Thomas is a retail management expert and pet enthusiast with over 15 years advising major companies on store operations and consumer trends. In addition to QuerySprout.com, Marques runs the popular pet owner education site Pawversity.com.
