2019-01-29
As an increasing number of people have pets, especially in the US, choosing the right transportation for their four-legged friends is a common but strategic issue. One of the most convenient modes of transport is a vehicle. However, some owners do not own their own car, so they have to rely on Uber or Lyft if they need to take their dog to the vet or elsewhere. There is currently no official requirement for Uber or Lyft drivers to accept passengers with a dog unless it is a service dog. Therefore, it is still a controversial topic. We will present some rules that have been identified by most drivers based on their experience. They are informative to owners before they wait with their furry friend for an Uber or Lyft.
Unlike taxis, Uber or Lyft drivers are independent contractors, not company employees. Also, the vehicles they drive are their own cars, not provided by companies, so they have to pay for maintenance and insurance themselves. However, this does not mean that drivers have no right to refuse passengers with furry animals. Uber rules officially state that the decision to transport a pet in Uber is at the discretion of the driver. This means that drivers, if they wish, can refuse the transport of dogs. The reasons vary from driver to drivers, such as canine phobia or animal hair allergy or other reasons. Whatever, they can choose to either allow or deny entry to passengers with a dog.
If you want to take your dog in an Uber car, you should be aware that you are responsible for the behavior of your dog. The driver might change his mind after experiencing a badly behaved dog, and he will be reluctant to carry other dogs in the future. Therefore, make sure that your dog is well-trained and friendly to strangers. If you need to improve its behavior, you could do some obedience training and practice it in public places. Also, make sure your dog does not scratch or gnaw the car seat. Otherwise, you may have to pay for the damage or an additional service fee. It is also important to give the driver a pleasant impression of you, so you should be very polite and courteous. Sometimes the behavior of the owner reflects the behavior of his dog.
Imagine, your friend brings a muddy dog to ride with it in your car. Can you honestly accept this? You may need to clean the car after picking it up. Unlike your friend, the Uber drivers may charge you cleaning fees if your dog leaves a few “gifts” in the car. To avoid this situation, you should keep your dog clean and give it a manicure before you start the ride. For the dog that is undergoing change of coat, it is advisable to bring a blanket or a newspaper to keep the seat clean and avoid exorbitant cleaning fees.
For some small dogs, such as Chihuahua, who is in a pet carrier or a crate, the chance increases that an Uber driver allows them to get into the vehicle. Although shedding is inevitable for most dogs, you can minimize it by bringing the dog in a carrier. Read on to get more tips to travel with your dog in Uber or Lyft.
Although tipping is not required, it is very much appreciated. A trip with a dog is a bit risky for a driver. If he is unlucky, he has to terminate the day’s schedule and waste time in the car wash. If your dog behaves well, the driver can not help but watch your dog, which is harder than driving the car. Tipping your driver is not only recognition but also encouragement that will affect whether dogs are allowed to travel in Uber or Lyft in the future.
