As everyone who has ever owned a pet knows, we consider our pets to be part of our family. So of course when we travel and take them with us, we expect them to at least receive the same treatment as we get. In most cases, it’s no problem for guide and assistance dogs to enter a taxi or anything similar, as they serve a purpose to those that need help. Luckily, there are also various pet-friendly chauffeured services such as SIXT ride that can offer V.I.P. (Very Important Pet) transfer services to our little family add-ons. Nowadays, there is no reason to leave little Spot with the neighbors anymore when you go on vacation!
Finding comfort in the right service
In a lot of cases, chauffeur and taxi services do not allow pets in the car due to various reasons. Some might say it’s not hygienic, as animals leave hairs behind. Others are afraid that the pet might panic and start peeing in the car or even might make loud noises, such as barking, meowing, or in case of parrots: start cursing. These are just a few reasons why many owners do not take their pets with them if they have to travel a longer distance by car and don’t have a cage to leave their beloved in. Luckily, this doesn’t have to be the case, as there are enough transfer services that are happy to accommodate pets on your trip from A to B. If you don’t own a car but you desperately need to take your beloved Spikey the dog or Tommy the cat to the vets or any other place, use SIXT ride as the better alternative to walking or public transportation.
Universal pet etiquette
While booking a transfer service online, it’s always good to explicitly mention the fact that you would like to take your pet along and mention how big or small in size it is. This way, the chosen service will make sure the appropriate vehicle is headed your way to ensure a comfortable ride. The SIXT ride pet-friendly service alone is bookable in more than 150 cities worldwide, so wherever you plan on going, there should be at least one pet-friendly service available for you and your little buddy. Apart from announcing your arrival, here are some other general tips to increase your chances of getting your pet along on the ride:
1. Take your carrier/cage along
Just in case you don’t always run into an animal loving chauffeur, it can make things easier to bring a carrier or cage for your pet. It might not be your pet’s favorite place to stay for the journey, but it does somewhat guarantee it to not leave any hair or stains behind. It will also reassure the chauffeur knowing that your pet will not simply bounce around in the car and cause a possible distraction – especially when it comes down to pets like lizards, turtles, and other uncommon animals.
2. Training your pet
As far as possible, try to train your pet, so that they listen and respond to commands. If you can show the driver that Spikey is in fact very obedient or can even do ‘special tricks’, such as giving a paw or other show-stopping maneuvers, they know that you very much have your pet under control when it’s needed. Secondly, this might even entertain your chauffeur, which naturally puts them in a good mood and will be more eager to provide their services to you. It’s a game of give and take!
3. Hygienic measures
Showing some goodwill also helps to stay on your chauffeur’s good side. Think about bringing along an air freshener to make sure any possible little smells of your pet’s fur will be masked. Apart from that, it doesn’t hurt to bring some wet wipes or towels with you, to make sure loose hairs and such are kept within cleaning reach. And, make sure you keep some treats to reward your pet for its behavior as well! Your assertiveness will be well received by your chauffeur.
4. Tipping & leaving a good review
To keep the door open for the next customer that wishes to travel with their pet, it’s nice to show your gratitude for the service by giving a generous tip at the end of the ride, and/or leaving an amazing review for others to read. With services that don’t support online payment in advance (or even with services that do), giving a tip will surely leave your chauffeur (and the business) more inclined to pick up customers traveling with their pet next time.
Go Lassie, go!
So as you see, in most cases, you can take your beloved pet everywhere you go – especially if you follow general etiquette. Wherever you go, always make sure you do a little bit of research in advance and ask to see if the company that you choose to travel with allows animals. Generally, as long as there is enough space in the vehicle and your pet is not a threat to the driver, you are able to bring your little companion on the ride. An alternative that’s also available through Sixt is to rent a car with a pet. Let them enjoy a comfortable and relaxing ride, just like you do!
