Craving a caffeine fix and thinking about heading to Starbucks, but have your dog with you? Then, unfortunately, your pet will have to stay outside. Though Starbucks is fond of animals, dogs aren’t allowed inside the building. This mainly has to do with health and wellness, as having dogs and other animals inside means the company could be hit with health code violations.
However, that doesn’t mean you have to leave your dog at home. You can still take advantage of the drive-thru or curbside pick-up. And if your local Starbucks has a patio, your dog is allowed to hang out there. You can even go the delivery route if you’re desperate and don’t want to stay outside the Starbucks with your pup!
Starbucks & Service Animals
The single exception to the “no pets allowed” rule is service animals. So long as your dog is a registered service animal, Starbucks is required to follow state and federal service animal laws. Check your state’s laws on service animals if you’re unsure of what they are before heading out to Starbucks. If you go to a store with your service animal and have issues, you’ll be well within your rights to file a complaint.
Puppuccino
You might not be able to bring your dog into Starbucks, but did you know you can get them a tasty treat there? And, in most places, that tasty treat is absolutely free!
You may have heard of it—you might even have thought it was an urban legend. But the Puppuccino is a very real thing and an item on Starbucks’ secret menu. What exactly is a Puppuccino? It’s simply whipped cream in an espresso cup.
It’s not the healthiest thing in the world for your four-legged friend to have (particularly if they are lactose intolerant!), but so long as you make it a rare treat, it should be okay for your dog. (And they will absolutely love it!)
Final Thoughts
It’s unfortunate but understandable that Starbucks doesn’t allow dogs into their stores. Having animals inside can result in health code violations due to the fact Starbucks serves food and drink. However, if your pup is a service animal, then you’re in the clear as Starbucks must follow state and federal laws on allowing service animals into the store.
And if your dog is with you when a Starbucks craving hits, you do have options. You can utilize the drive-thru or curbside pick-up or leave your pet in the car (though that’s not the best option). If your local Starbucks has a patio area, you and your dog can hang out there. And, if you’re desperate for a caffeine hit but can’t go with any other option, there’s always delivery!
Also, remember that the next time you go to Starbucks, you have the opportunity to get your dog a sweet treat too! Go in and order a Puppuccino along with your drink, and you can get your pup a delicious cup of whipped cream for absolutely free! Starbucks can be enjoyable for both you and your doggo; your pet will just have to enjoy it outside the store.
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash
