Does Lyft Allow Dogs in 2024? Pet Policy & Travel Tips
By Kit Copson
Updated on
As dog parents, we’ve all been there. Sometimes, it’s just easier to order a ride to get you and your canine companion where you need to be than to go through the stress of taking them on public transport. Unfortunately, this isn’t always as straightforward as we’d like it to be. As per Lyft’s pet policy, you must check with your driver first if your dog can accompany you (unless they’re a service animal).
In this post, we’ll explain Lyft’s pet policy in more detail and how to find out whether or not your dog will be welcome on your Lyft journey.
Lyft’s Pet Policy
According to Lyft’s pet policy, pets are only allowed to ride with you if your driver says it’s okay. Lyft encourages its drivers to accept pets on rides, but they are under no legal obligation to do so if they aren’t comfortable with it. Service animals, of course, are exempt from this rule and drivers cannot legally deny a service animal from riding with you.
If you have a dog that is not a service animal, the best thing to do is request a ride, then contact your Lyft driver to let them know you want to bring your dog and check if they’re okay with this. If they’re not, simply cancel the ride with that driver and make another ride request. Lyft’s policy states that if you are charged a cancellation fee, you can contact support and they will deal with the issue.
We would recommend planning ahead and contacting the driver well in advance whenever possible to reduce the risk of your dog not being able to travel with you.
What If My Dog Is in a Carrier?
Lyft’s pet policy doesn’t mention this, so it’s best to assume that you should contact the driver to make sure they have no objections to your dog being in the car, whether on a leash or in a carrier.
Do I Have to Prove That My Dog Is a Service Animal When Using Lyft?
No. There is no law that states that service animals have to carry some form of identification or wear a service dog vest. Lyft’s pet policy explains that if a rider says their service animal is a service animal, the driver must allow that animal to ride.
Drivers do, however, have the right to ask whether the animal is required because of a disability and/or what tasks the animal has been trained to do.
Does Uber Accept Dogs?
With Uber, you can request pet-friendly rides called “Uber Pet”. These allow you to bring one pet on the ride with you on a leash, harness, or in a carrier, but if you want to bring more than one pet, you’ll need to run this by your driver first.
Uber Pet rides are more expensive than regular rides, but, once again, those with service animals can travel with them in an Uber at no extra charge.
Tips for Riding with Your Dog
Whether you plan to take a Lyft or an Uber, it’s a good idea to show courtesy to the driver. Here are some tips for traveling by Lyft or Uber with your dog:
- Contact the Drive: If you’ll be traveling by Lyft, always contact your driver first to ask if your dog can travel with you (this does not apply to those with service dogs).
- Bring a Towel: Pack a towel or something similar for your dog to sit on if they’re not in a carrier.
- Bring Basic Cleanup Supplies: This could include things like wipes and waste bags in case your dog has an “accident” or drools on the seats—you may be charged a cleanup fee if this happens.
- Find Out Where the Dog Should Ride: Communicate with your driver about where to place your dog in the car.
- Leash Policy: Keep your dog leashed, harnessed, or inside a carrier.
- Bring a Distraction: Avoid letting your dog chew or scratch the car’s interior.
- The Driver Has the Power: If a driver refuses to take your non-service dog, respect the driver’s wishes and just request another driver.
Final Thoughts
In brief, pet dogs are allowed to ride with you in a Lyft car if the driver has no objections to you doing so. However, if your dog causes any damage to the car or leaves it in a mess, it’s possible that you’ll get an extra fee slapped onto your fare.
This may include mess from “accidents”, vomiting, drool, or excessive hair, so, if you’re worried about any of these things happening on your ride, arm yourself with cleanup supplies or consider another means of transportation for you and your dog.
Featured Image Credit: Thought Catalog, Unsplash
