Pets are not allowed on buses. However, there are a few exceptions to the rule that you should know about when planning your trip. Whether or not pets are permitted on the bus depends on where you’re traveling and what time of day it is. Bus drivers have discretion over whether they allow animals on board their vehicles, so be sure to ask before bringing Fido along for the ride. Some companies also require written approval from management beforehand in order to bring an animal onto their vehicles.
Tips About Bringing Along Pets While Riding Public Transportation
Find the right carrier.
This is the most important part to ensuring that your pet’s trip is a safe and comfortable one! Look for a carrier that will be big enough for your pet to stand, turn around in, stretch out if they want — and still have some extra room — but small enough so it isn’t too heavy and unwieldy, and so they can breathe comfortably. A good rule of thumb: If you would not feel safe alone with your pet in the carrier on public transportation, then they probably shouldn’t be up there either! You should also make sure that there are no holes or gaps large enough for them to escape from (and also prevent them from poking their snout through). Be sure to pick up some baggies of food and water, just in case you’re stuck on the train for awhile.
Plan ahead.
If you can avoid bringing your pet with you to catch a bus or train, then do so! It’s always better to leave them behind if possible. If not, make sure that their carrier is easy to get out from under the seat (bus) or from overhead storage (most trains). Make a plan for how you will feed them during your trip if necessary — many people bring along a small stash of kibble in a plastic baggie to keep at their feet. Keep your pet as calm as possible before boarding, which means no going on long car rides beforehand! And try to minimize the number of transfers you must make.
Prioritize.
If you’re taking the bus with your pet, consider going to a terminal near a CVS or other large store where there’s likely to be a “pet relief area” — a place for pets to do their business in private. And find out if the stop is in a safe neighborhood and whether there is a decent number of people around who can help, should the situation arise that your pet needs assistance getting off at your stop. If it’s an especially busy place, maybe bring along some extra treats just in case he/she gets overwhelmed by all the stimuli! In my experience though, most animals don’t have any problem with this sort of thing when they’re properly acclimated to it, and you can train your pet not to be a “problem” by taking them out often.
Also, if there’s room on the bus, don’t hesitate to bring along a small folding chair for yourself! Some people have told me that they fold their knees up towards their chest so as to leave enough room for their pets to lie down between them. If this is too awkward or uncomfortable, make sure to keep within reach at all times some sort of towel, blanket or other item to use as a buffer under the carrier if necessary.
Bear in mind.
Animals are unpredictable! That being said, it should go without saying that you must always pay attention to what your pet is doing and how they’re feeling. Make sure that your pet can comfortably breathe, and watch for signs of distress or discomfort (like panting, drooling excessively, shaking/ shivering, tail between the legs). Make a plan for how to handle any “accidents” — many people carry around some wet wipes or baby wipes to help minimize damage if their pets have an accident on the bus.
We hope this article has helped you better understand the rules for bringing your pet on public transportation. If you need any help with questions about pets and transit, please call us today!
All About Connor Pet Health
Connor Pet Health – we know that keeping our pets happy, healthy and engaged is extremely important part of all of our lives. That’s why I put together to put together my thoughts on how we can go about keeping our best friend healthy in this day and age. This blog brings to you news about pet health, treatments and therapies, inspiring stories, expert advice, and much more to help you – and your fur baby – live your healthiest life every day.
Special thanks to Mary Jane’s CBD Dispensary one of the top cbd online stores. We’re so glad you found our site. You can find your way back to the blog anytime by clicking on our logo at the top of any page or using our site map for a complete list of pages and their associated content. If you want to stay connected with Mary Jane’s CBD Dispensary, we would love it if you could check out their site today! And don’t forget about Facebook and Twitter too – both are great ways to keep in touch with what’s happening at MJCD. Until next time!