Great news for anyone who’s ever needed to get to the vet or doggy daycare with a pet but don’t have a vehicle of their own.
This week, ride-sharing company Uber launched its new Uber Pet service. That’s right, instead of calling a friend for a lift or walking to your destination with your pet in tow, they’ll now be able to join you in the comfort of an Uber.
The trial program hit the ground running on March 10 in Sydney and Brisbane and allows pet owners to take their much-loved companions along for a small surcharge of around $6.
“Next time you’re on your way to a pet-friendly pub, heading home from the vet, or on your way to doggy yoga – you can rest assured there’s a convenient way for both you and your furry friend to get from A to B at the push of a button,” a company spokesperson said. “And if riders and drivers like Uber Pet – we’ll roll it out nationally as a ‘paw’-manent option!”
If you’ve already got the Uber app then you’re good to go, with the process as easy as clicking a few buttons. Like any normal Uber trip, you’ll need to enter a pickup and drop-off location, and then select Uber Pet to confirm.
However, there are a few rules you’ll have to follow to ensure the trip goes smoothly. You can only bring one pet per trip, and at the moment, only dogs and cats have been given the green light to ride.
Uber also advises keeping your pet restrained with a leash or harness or placed in a crate or carrier to keep them safe during the ride and prevent fur spreading through the vehicle.
And just like if you spill your food or drink in the vehicle, if your pet makes a mess, you may be charged with a cleaning fee. So, as an added caution, it might be worthwhile bringing along a blanket or towel to cover the seat.
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