Travelling with Dogs in Australian Ride-Share Cars – Can Dogs Travel in Uber?
I was recently wondering what dog owners who don’t own a car do to take their furry friends places outside their local area, for example dog parks, beaches, events, vets, grooming salons etc. While conducting some research into this area I discovered that many Taxi services in Australia do not allow dogs inside their vehicles. That got me wondering, are dogs allowed in ride-share cars like Uber, Didi and Ola?
A ride-share is an arrangement in which a passenger travels in a private vehicle driven by its owner arranged through an app or website. Since a ride-share takes place in a driver’s private vehicle, in the majority of cases, it is up to the driver whether or not they accept animals. It is best practice to ask permission for a dog as soon as you have requested a ride. If you don’t ask permission don’t be surprised if the driver turns down the ride when they arrive and see your dog. That being said, in Australia, it is law for assistance animals to be accepted into a ride-share car.
Table of Contents
Overview
Uber
Where: Brisbane, Byron Bay, Geelong, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville
Cost: $0.55 booking, $1.45 per km, $0.40 per minute
Dog Rules: Service animals must be accommodated in compliance with applicable accessibility laws. It’s up to the driver whether non-service animals (including emotional support animals and pets) will be accepted. In the legal section of Uber Australia it states that “The law requires that service providers do not deny transport service to riders with assistance animals because of the assistance animals, and do not otherwise discriminate against riders with assistance animals”
Didi
Where: Brisbane, Geelong, Melbourne, Newcastle, Sydney
Cost: free booking, $1.98 base fare, $1.08 for the first 7km, dropping to $0.98 after
Dog Rules: Assistance animals are accepted. Pets are accepted at the discretion of the driver. In the legal section of DiDi Australia it states that drivers “will allow ‘assistance animals’ to travel in the vehicle with any passenger as that term or equivalent is defined in the applicable legislation in the relevant jurisdiction”
Ola
Where: Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
Cost: $0.55 booking, $2.00 base fare, $1.15 per km
Dog Rules: Pets are not permitted in the shared rides that the company offers. The decision to allow dogs in individual rides is up to the driver. There was no information under the legal section of Ola about accepting animals in ride-share cars however under law, a driver would not be able to discriminate against service animals.
How to Contact the Driver
Request a lift through the ride-share’s app. When a driver accepts your request, you will be given their details. These details will include his/her name, car type, licence plate etc. as well as the option to contact the driver through text or call. You need to contact the driver immediately after requesting the ride. When you contact the driver, inform him/her of the breed and size of your dog. It’s also a good idea to say that your dog is very well behaved to encourage reluctant drivers. Smaller dog breeds such as chihuahuas are more likely to be accepted into a ride-share.
Here is a template message:
Hi (insert driver’s name),
I was wondering if it would be possible to bring my dog during this car trip? He/she is a (insert breed name) and is (insert size of your dog). (Insert dog’s name) is very well behaved and is well trained. I will bring a crate/dog seat belt or harness to ensure the safety of my dog and the passengers. I will also bring a towel/blanket for my dog to sit on to ensure the cleanliness of your car.
Regards,
(insert your name)
Hopefully the driver will say yes, however if they say no, cancel the ride immediately. This will prevent a cancellation fee occurring. Request another ride in a few minutes and try again.
A driver might decline you during the contacting stage because:
- They might not like the idea of having a dog in their car.
- Medical reasons. For example, allergies.
- A fear or phobia of dogs.
- Extra clean-up because of dog fur and smells.
Reasons You Might Be Declined On Arrival
Even after getting the OK from the driver, on arrival there’s still the possibility of the driver declining you and your dog (unless it is a service dog).
This could happen because:
- Your dog is bigger than you stated
- Your dog is shedding
- A carpool passenger is allergic to dogs
- Your dog is restless or not well behaved
- Your dog is dirty
Keep the Car as Clean as Possible
Since a dog arrangement in a ride-share car is optional, it is extremely important to keep the car as clean as possible. It is best to put your dog inside a dog sling, dog carrier or crate if possible. You can put a crate on the floor or on the seat next to you. If he/she is too big, bring a clean towel or blanket to cover the seat he/she will be sitting on. Also bring a lint roller to remove any dog hair that might get stuck on the car’s upholstery. These ideas can greatly reduce a driver’s concern about cleanliness, thus will increase the chance of being accepted into a ride-share car. There might be extra fees if you leave the vehicle messy.
How to be Safe in a Ride-share Car with Your Dog
Safety is your priority in a ride-share car. Bring along your own dog crate or seat belt and harness. Even though there are no rules in Australia about restraining a dog in the car, dogs should still be treated like passengers and be given the best chance of survival in the instance of a car crash. It is also a good idea to give up the front passenger seat for the backseat next to your dog so you can hold onto him/her during the ride and/or calm him/her in the new environment. By bringing a seatbelt or crate it will reduce safety concerns of your driver.
Service Dogs in Ride-share Cars
No drivers can legally refuse to allow a service dog in their car in Australia under the disibility discrimination act. Assistance animals are not pets but rather highly trained disability support services. These animals are not only guide dogs for the blind, but also support people who are deaf, require physical support or have psychiatric disorders such as PTSD, anxiety etc.
In the instance of Uber, the company will deactivate the accounts of drivers that get reported for refusing a service animal.
When a driver signs up to Uber they must agree to the service dog policy which states that you must:
“1. Transport service animals even if you are afraid of dogs, dislike dogs, or hold other objections to dogs.
2. Transport riders with service dogs even if you are allergic to dogs, and even if someone else who uses the car is allergic to dogs”
3. Transport groups of riders with more than one service animal if they can safely fit in your vehicle”
If you want to be on the safe side bring service dog certification when using ride-share cars. Drivers can ask you if your animal is an assistance animal and if you say yes they must accommodate it. Drivers can not ask you to prove your disability. You can use your service dog certification as further proof but it’s not always necessary.
Leaving the Car
Upon arrival at your destination give the car a quick clean over. Thank your driver for accepting your dog and give him/her a tip as well as a good review.
Will UberPet come to Australia?
UberPET is an option to make your ride pet-friendly with driver-partners who are comfortable with having pets in their car. It was first launched in Turkey in 2016 and is in many countries around the world. There has been no statement by Uber saying that UberPet is coming soon to Australia. We will just have to wait and see.
Disclaimer: *The information written here is as of September 2019 and is only a guide. Rules, laws, regulations, ride-share prices etc. are subject to change*
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