Is Uber Pet Friendly In 2024? Can You Bring Dogs In An Uber?
Bestreferraldriver is supported by its audience. We write our articles independently but we may earn affiliate commissions when you use links on this page.
Our dogs are one of the most important things in our life. They are our inseparable companions. Today, more and more couples who don't want children adopt a pet and treat it like a baby. Of course we like to bring our furry animals along when eating out, having an appointment with a friend for a coffee or even at work. Indeed some companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and others allow you to bring your dog to work.
There comes a time when your car breaks down and you need to take a ride with your pet. Why not take an Uber? But, can you Uber with a dog?
In this article you will learn everything you have to know about Uber pet and dog friendly rides including guidelines, restrictions and costs.
We will also share with you some dog car safety tips.
Before starting to talk about the Uber dog rules, it is important to make a reminder of the law about dogs in the cars.
There is no law against transporting dogs in a car. However, in the United States the dog restraint law differs between states.
As a general rule, the dog in car law stipulates that the presence of an animal in a vehicle must in no way constitute a nuisance for the driver and the other passengers of the vehicle.
The animal must not represent an obstacle in the driver's field of vision or in its movements.
There are a few basic safety precautions and rules that you should always follow:
In addition, as the dog is considered to be one of the passengers, it must comply with the regulation concerning the wearing of seat belts.
This means that you always need a dog car leash.
Before your trip, it is important that you know the Uber dog policy.
The Uber terms and conditions say:
Subject to the discretion of a Third-Party Provider, you may be allowed to bring a small animal, such as a dog or cat, on a ride requested through the Uber Marketplace Platform. For such trips, you are responsible for properly securing the animal with a leash, harness, crate / carrier, or through other means. You are also responsible for ensuring that the animal does not cause damage or a mess in the Third-Party Provider’s vehicle. You may be subject to a Charge for Repair or Cleaning under Section 5 for any damage or mess caused by an animal that is transported during a ride requested under your Account. Please note, in accordance with Uber’s policies on Service Animals and assistive devices, Service Animals are generally permitted to accompany riders without extra charge, regardless of whether it is a Pet Friendly Trip.
After reading the policy, you understand that while Uber is a dog friendly rideshare company, there is not a general rule or law that requires a rideshare driver to accept an animal on its vehicle.
Uber drivers are independent contractors, they make money driving with Uber using their own vehicle or renting a car through one of the rideshare rental platforms.
Only the Uber driver can decide whether or not to agree to transport the animal.
So, are Ubers dogs friendly?
Uber and Lyft drivers have a reputation for loving dogs. But despite this reputation, if a driver is allergic to animal hair or has a phobia of certain animals, he has the right to refuse and cancel the ride.
Drivers can even refuse animals they deem unsafe or uncontrolled.
However, Uber drivers cannot say no to service dogs including assistance dogs for the blind and guide dogs.
Before taking an Uber ride with your dog or cat, you should also be informed of your responsibility. You are responsible to find the safest way to transport your dog in a car even if you are an Uber rider.
Additionally you are responsible for any car damage or personal injury because of your pet. Uber uses a system of upfront pricing, however your payment method can be charged with additional cleaning fees. Here are some basics of riding with Uber with your pet:
💡 PRO TIP: If your driver lets you take your pet with you, let them know that you appreciate it. At the end of the ride, do not forget to show the driver your appreciation with tips and a good review.
Service dogs provide assistance to people with disabilities and other medical conditions. They help people with visual impairments, mental illnesses, social anxiety disorder, PTSD, and mobility problems.
Service dogs are trained to help people by doing things such as pulling wheelchairs and picking up dropped items. There are many types of service dogs, ranging from large dogs to small dogs.
All dogs must go through extensive training to become certified as service dogs. Once they've received their certificates, they can help their owners perform tasks that they can't do on their own. For example, gold retrievers can help the blind to cross the road, go up and down stairs, and pick up dropped items.
Uber allows service dogs. More precisely Uber drivers and riders are allowed to travel during Uber rides with a service dog.
So, do not get surprised if your Uber driver has a service dog with him.
Summarizing: In accordance with the State and federal law Uber allows dogs who are certified service dogs dogs at no extra cost. This means that Uber drivers using the Uber Driver app cannot deny their service to riders with service animals because of the service animals.
Uber Pet is one of the options available on the Uber app that makes it easy for pet owners to to travel with their furry animal and book or schedule a ride with a dog friendly Uber driver.
The pet option matches riders with UberX drivers who agree to ride with a pet in their car.
Pet rides are currently only available in the following cities:
If pet rides are available in your city, you’ll see the option automatically on the app when selecting a ride.
If you are in need of a pet friendly ride follow our step by step tutorial:
If the pet option is not available in your city, fortunately, there are currently animal taxis. While this type of transport was initially only present in large cities like NYC or Chicago, it gradually developed in rural areas. Indeed, there, you have to travel several miles to find a veterinarian or a groomer. Which can be a real problem if you don't have transportation.
The pet taxi is the ideal ally in this kind of situation. The driver can take care of transporting your pet and take care of it for any reason. If it is a long-distance journey, he will do everything necessary to take care of the animal (give it food or drink...). Some companies even offer an animal ambulance service. The team members are trained in animal first aid and the vehicle is fitted out in the best conditions.
During my experience driving with Uber, I often saw riders with dogs and cats. In fact, these are the most common domestic animals.
Keep in mind that other animals, either wild or domestic, are not service animals.
However, other drivers shared with us their experience of riders transporting in a crate other types of animals including rabbits, ferrets, small rodents, birds, guinea pigs and even fish.
Generally, conventional taxis are not equipped to transport animals. However, you can easily find dog friendly taxi services near you with a Google search or using Yelp.
Getting around with your pet can be a real headache when it isn't your own vehicle. Especially since some drivers can refuse this type of service. If you are required to bring your pet with you in an Uber ride, it is preferable to inform the driver as soon as your ride is confirmed.
Now you also know that service dogs can go in Uber without any additional cost.
TRENDING
