Your dog is your best friend and uber is your favorite app, so what do the two have to do with each other? Well, Uber recently introduced its newest travel option, Uber Pet. Here’s how Uber Pet is changing rideshare.
Uber Pet allows you to bring a pet on your Uber trip. Before the introduction of Uber Pet, rideshare applications only allowed service animals to accompany riders. A service animal is defined as an animal that is trained to work or perform tasks for an individual. Riders with service animals don’t have to use the Uber Pet option as Uber drivers cannot lawfully deny service to riders with service animals under any circumstance including, allergies, religious objections, or fear of animals.
If you don’t have a service animal and decide to use the Uber Pet option, you will need to select the option for Uber Pet after you enter your pick up and drop off location, and only one pet can travel with you per trip. Uber Pet allows small pets such as cats or dogs to travel, but there is no breed or size restriction.
The Uber Pet option will cost more than the other ride options, and a cleaning fee could be assessed if your pet leaves waste, sheds excess hair, or causes damage to the vehicle. Uber suggests being a small blanket or towel for your pet to sit on while in the car, this can help to minimize or prevent the being assessed the cleaning fee.
Uber offers a few more tips for Uber Pet tips. They suggest keeping your pet restrained with a leash, harness, or crate. In consideration of the safety and comfort of the driver Uber suggests that you don’t leave your pet unattended and ask the driver if they have a preference of where your pet should sit.