American outdoor recreational store chain, REI doesn’t allow pets inside their stores. While there may be exceptions in certain places: be due to a pet-loving store manager or a unique policy, REI strictly prohibits domestic animals from entering their stores.

REI’s Pet Policy

Recreational Equipment Inc, is a sports equipment company based in the US that sells sports, travel equipment, clothes, and camping gear for humans and their domestic animals alike.

REI is a company that believes in responsible pet ownership. Despite their nature of business, surprisingly they impose a very strict ‘No Pets Allowed In Retail Stores’ policy which doesn’t allow entry to any type of animals inside their stores. This policy applies to both indoor and outdoor stores, including the REI flagship store located in Seattle. While this may vary regionally or store-to-store, the policy is set as general all over the US. 

Why Doesn’t REI Allow Pets In Their Stores?

REI has a “No-Pet’ policy and naturally not many people like it when it is frequented by many dog owners.

The rationale for this policy is twofold. First, as with all animals, pets can create messes and cause extensive damage to property and equipment if they’re not properly trained or socialised. Second, pets are notorious for taking up valuable retail space that could be used by customers who want to buy something.

In addition, pet hair can also be a nuisance for customers who have allergies or asthma. REI strives to provide an enjoyable shopping experience for all of its customers, along with providing a comfortable workplace, which includes ensuring that animals cannot interfere with this goal. 

They believe that giving people the opportunity to purchase products without having to worry about their animal companionship makes more sense than trying to trespass on somebody else’s property just so you can bring your pet along.

Many REI stores enable this policy due to state health codes. REI claims to understand that some people will disagree with their policies (and there always seems to be one person who tests them), but at the end of the day, they believe it’s best for everyone concerned if animals are kept out of retail stores where they may cause inconvenience, property damage.

How To Buy Pet Supplies If You Can’t Bring Your Dog To The Store?

If you can’t bring your dog to the store, there are a few options available for buying pet supplies. You can go online and purchase items from companies that ship worldwide, or you could visit local stores and buy in bulk. So if you need to change something, you can make a trip back in no time.

You also can bring your dog outside the store and one of the workers will fit your dog in gears to choose from. REI offers this service. Another option would be ordering products directly from manufacturers online. This may be more expensive than shopping at a store, but it allows you to get specific types of products that may not be available in other locations. 

And finally, if all else fails, try looking into kennels where dogs can stay whilst you shop.

The Unfriendly Stores – See Which Stores Refuse Pets

Being a pet owner can be rewarding, but it can also be challenging if you have to bring your pet with you everywhere you go. This is why being informed about the stores that refuse pets is important. Some stores, especially grocery and food retailers don’t allow animals inside their stores due to obvious problems or state health codes. Some of them are:

Target

Walmart

Trader Joe’s

IKEA

Costco

Tiffany & Co.

Home Depot Canada

Starbucks and other food chains

Most Stores on private properties

By knowing which stores are anti-pet and how to avoid them, you will save both time and hassle.

Conclusion

Though some pet-lovers may find it inconvenient to leave their dogs outside, the store’s vision to serve customers to the fullest is also legible. Fret not, REI still has some great adventure equipment for your dog, so that you can enjoy the trip together.

Do you think that people should be allowed to bring their pets into REI stores?

Some people strongly believe that they should be able to bring their pets into REI stores, especially when they also sell products for dogs. 

Have you ever taken your dog to REI before? If so, how did they treat him/her while he/she was there?

Some people find it strange hearing about REI’s No-Pet policy, as they claim to have entered the store with their pet and faced no issue at all.

Is it safe for pets to travel outside of the country with you?

While not an issue for most pets, some may be more susceptible to travel sickness. If your pet is like that, you should take precautions before and during the trip.

Which animals can keep up with you on long hikes, like thru-hiking or backpacking?

To keep you company on long hikes, a dog or a cat may be the perfect option: dogs due to their patience and adaptability; cats for agility and curiosity at new places