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It’s that time of the year again. Spirit Halloween stores are popping up all over. It’s time to start thinking about your yearly costume ensemble. You and your dog have already had a grand time visiting corn mazes and pumpkin patches, but Halloween night is fast approaching and you need to pick your costumes.
Spirit Halloween is a natural choice for picking out a costume for the entire family. They have a large selection of Halloween costumes for people and pets, including a Beetlejuice dog costume and an adorable Minion dog costume.
But before you load up the car with the entire family, including your furry family members, will your dog actually be welcome in Spirit Halloween?
What Is Spirit Halloween’s Pet Policy?
According to Spirit Halloween, the only dogs allowed inside the stores are service animals. However, they still have a wide assortment of dog costumes, so when you’re out running errands without Fido, you might want to swing by the nearest store and check out the costumes. For some other fun ideas you might:
Check Out Spirit Halloween Online
You can sit down at the computer with your dog beside you and look at all the costumes together. See if your dog shows interest in any specific costume. If you know costume sizes for you and your dog, you can order online through Spirit Halloween’s online store. When the box arrives, it can be a fun activity to show your dog that you both got a costume. Then, it’s fashion show time!
Make a Costume for Your Dog
If you have any craft skills, you might try to make a matching costume for your dog that fits with what you’re choosing. It doesn’t have to be complicated. A little dog batman cape and mask to go with your batman costume, a small vampire cape that fits your dog to go with Dracula. Put your thinking cap on and see what you and your furry friend might enjoy the most.
Spirit Halloween and Service Animals
Your furry family members may not be able to walk with you down the haunted aisles of a scary costume store, but your service dog can help you pick out a costume. And you can pick one out for him while you’re at it!
Guidelines for Service Animals
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all stores are required to allow your trained service animal to accompany you. Just remember that the service dog has to be actively performing a service for the person doing the actual shopping, and you may need to show proof that he is registered.
So your service dog can’t go with your husband or roommate to pick out a costume. And if you have an emotional support animal (ESA), it’s best to check with the individual store first before planning a visit with Fido. Not all ESA animals are allowed where service animals can go.
Other Options To Shop With Your Dog
Just because Spirit Halloween doesn’t allow pets other than service animals, that doesn’t mean that all stores are the same. And it never hurts to call the store beforehand just to make sure. Plenty of other chain stores have more relaxed policies about pets. You can always visit your nearby Lowes or Bass Pro Shop, for example. They may not necessarily have cute pet Halloween costumes, however!
Where Can I Take My Dog for Costume Shopping?
If Spirit Halloween doesn’t allow any pets except for service animals, where can you go costume shopping with your furry family members? After all, they don’t want to miss out on all the fun. Here are some other choices for costume shopping if you want to include Fido in the experience:
Petco
Most Petcos allow well-behaved animals in their stores, and they normally have a nice variety of regular clothes for dogs. During the Halloween season, they also carry a few seasonal clothes and costumes as well. So pack up the entire family and pets and go pick out some favorite costumes!
See also
PetSmart
Animals are also allowed in PetSmart, and they have an equally nice selection of pet clothing and costumes. If you’re lucky enough to have a nearby PetSmart, you might as well make a Halloween shopping trip out of picking up the month’s supply of dog food!
Walmart
Some Walmarts are relaxing their pet policies to allow pets other than service animals, so it doesn’t hurt to call your local store and check. You just might find yourself in your local Walmart’s costume aisles picking out a matching doggy and doggy-parent batman costume!
Online
As mentioned, you can always pick out your pet costumes online at Spirit Halloween. Or, if you’re looking for a particular costume that they don’t offer, try looking for dog Halloween costumes on Amazon or Walmart and Target online. You may find “that perfect doggy Halloween costume” yet!
Not Every Dog Loves Dress-Up
Don’t forget that not all animals may enjoy dressing up in clothes, and even if they wear little coats or hats, they may not like a costume. If your dog falls in the no-clothes category, you can still enjoy decking him out in a special Halloween collar or bandana.
Final Thoughts
And even if Spirit Halloween doesn’t allow your furry friend to accompany you, there are plenty of great options for costume shopping with your pet. Don’t leave your dog costume-less in his Halloween photo shoot!
Pick out the choice that seems the most enjoyable and make a special day of shopping for Halloween costumes with the entire family, including the dogs!
