Topic: Why don't they allow cats on public transport in Britain? (Read 5653 times)

blackcat · « **Reply #23 on:** June 28, 2007, 18:57:22 PM »

The 'puppy' is a five year old labrador cross who has been living with friends in New Zealand until I had a place to keep him here. Since i move into my new house on Monday, he will be re-joining me at last. Am hoping he still remembers me.

I have just spent an absolute fortune at zooplus kitting myself out for his arrival and am bouncing out of my skin with excitement. See my avatar. His name is Shadow because he is black and follows me everywhere. Am taking four weeks off work to get him re-established in his new home.

Team Svartalfheims · « **Reply #22 on:** June 28, 2007, 09:17:45 AM »

Miss Boopy went on a train last week with no problems. The ticket woman on the first train and ticket man on the second were amazed that she was just fast asleep on my lap for the whole journey (Crewe-Aberdeen!).

I've never had any problems taking cats or a very talkative parrot on trains, buses, taxis etc.

Blackcat: Sounds very exciting

, where is the puppy coming from?

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #21 on:** June 28, 2007, 09:06:59 AM »

Blackcat

If I had a copy to hand, I'd look it up, however... go down to your nearest train station and ask for a copy of 'Terms and Conditions of carriage'. It's a legal requirement that they give you one, or supply you one through one means or another. It's worth a read and will tell you what their obligations are under their license. I'm pretty sure the carriage of dogs should be covered....

blackcat · « **Reply #20 on:** June 28, 2007, 06:45:37 AM »

All this is a bit worrying with my puppy arriving next Friday. I was planning to collect him from Heathrow and catch the train back to Chatham. First class of course!! Thought that would give him a little more guaranteed space. But since i don't want to find myself at Heathrow with a dog and no means of transport because someone is feeling officious I will now have to look into getting a courier service to collect him for me. More money!!

How annoying. Still, it means I can spend the day sorting out the construction of his kennel, clearing a path through the boxes of things that are partially unpacked through the house and things like that...

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #19 on:** June 28, 2007, 02:29:51 AM »

Believe it or not, I was a London Bus driver once.

Official Transport for London policy is that animals are carried at the discretion of the driver/guard. This gives a 'get-out' clause should anyone want to bring on a large hungry Puma.

I believe the airlines are confused about transporting animals. Some airlines around the world were daft enough to transport animals in unpressurised holds. Of course, some died and the rest of them didn't want to get sued. As far as animls inside the cabin, well, I have heard it said because the air is recirculated, airlines think that fleas on animals may be infected with tropical diseases and they could get into the air system. So, like all good jobsworths' rather than find a definitive solution, they just ban animals from the cabin.

Can't think of a reason why Eurostar won't carry them. But like everything else, everything comes down to money. If any kind of transport provider carries animals, the public liability premium increases. And you can't legitimately distinguish between a soppy, half deaf, elderly Labrador and a fierce Bull Terrier with attitude.

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #18 on:** May 08, 2007, 09:33:40 AM »

cats are allowed in the cabin on many airlines, including Air France, Alitalia, American (et al), KLM and I think Air Canada. Air France were wonderful with my two. It's a Brit thing - BA no longer even allow pets to be sent in the hold as excess baggage on the same flights as the owners; apparently you now have to check them in on a separate 'cargo' flight. If you do have to check in your pet in Europe or America (say s/he is too big for the cabin), most airlines will allow excess baggage - which avoids the trauma of the cargo hold and is much quicker.
I still think it's a very traumatic experience.

What I am interested in is writing to Eurostar, whose refusal to allow cats in carriers on their trains is unacceptable. They can go by train to the port, can take P&O Dover to Calais and then can get on any french train, including the TGV, with you in the compartment for a small (normally 5€) fare. London to Paris or Lille on Eurostar is just a few hours yet they refuse to allow pets. Anyone want to join me in a petition to try to get them to conform to general train regs and allow small pets? How do I set up an online petition? thanks.

Ela · « **Reply #17 on:** March 12, 2007, 08:17:36 AM »

Quote

and not only has she to travel like luggage on her own below, but they also "strongly" advised leaving the animal with a professional pet shipper.

That makes it easier for the owner, please also remember that nowadays a pet has to be checked over by a vet at the airport just before it is placed in its crate to confirm it is still fit to fly although you still need a fitness to fly cert from the pets own vet that is been issued no more than 7 maybe now 10 days before flying. At this time the owner need to be in the departure lounge so that alone would prove a difficulty. I expect human health issues and space are why pets and are not allowed in cabins, so many people are (or say they are) allergic and also can you imagine if the cat defecated, Oh! the smell.

Angiew · « **Reply #16 on:** March 12, 2007, 00:38:16 AM »

I suppose in the event of a fire or a plunge of 30,000ft, H&S might think somenoe trying to save their cat might put human lives at risk.

Having said that, I think its unfair to put pets into the baggage compartments. poor things!

Hippykitty · « **Reply #15 on:** March 11, 2007, 23:42:45 PM »

I've had problems with taxi drivers who've refused to have my cats (in cage) in the cab even though I'd told the operator I was going to the vet surgery. Now I always ask the operator to tell the driver that I'll have a cat in a cage. When the vet's receptionist calls them, I ask her to tell them that I have the cat. Some drivers are really odd about cats.
I would be horrified by the thought of my cat being in the luggage hold of a plane. The poor thing would be terrified. I can't see any logical reason for this either - puss is hardly a security risk! Provided the cat has had it's rabies shots etc, where is the problem?

forever_missing_my_boys(Lisa) · « **Reply #14 on:** March 11, 2007, 22:27:48 PM »

never had a problem taking cats or dog on buses either

Ruba · « **Reply #13 on:** March 11, 2007, 21:55:59 PM »

Hi swampmaxmum, It's true that on trains and buses I never had any problems with my carrier or my friend's dog, but airplanes must be a nightmare, with having to leave the animas below with the luggage, with all the noise and not even be able to soothe them with your presence.

I enquired @ BA myself not long ago for a relative who's coming back to the UK with her cat Moggerson, who already has a PET passport, and not only has she to travel like luggage on her own below, but they also "strongly" advised leaving the animal with a professional pet shipper. I really think that's making things extra difficult and for no reason. Once the documents are checked and all right, why punish both the animal and the human by making the whole journey three times as long as it should be???

And as for the health and safety reason, what can a pet with a current PET passport possibly have???? I bet peope are more infectious than a little mog in her carrier.

So if you want we can go into it together, write a nice letter of complaint...get in touch if you wish!

Team Svartalfheims · « **Reply #12 on:** February 24, 2007, 17:25:11 PM »

Yes he did. He used to love all the people coming and talking to him (used to drive me mad as I got no peace for the whole journey lol) Unfortunately he learnt the phrase 'tickets please' however he only used to say it when he was on the train thank goodness. Bless his heart he was such a character and him and Tigger were the very best of friends. They used to sit on top of his cage together and he'd let her sleep in his cage with him as well. When Bilbo came home Gonzo hated him and Bilbo hated Gonzo too.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2007, 17:19:15 PM »

Did he talk all the way

Team Svartalfheims · « **Reply #10 on:** February 24, 2007, 17:18:47 PM »

I've enver had a problem with taking cats or parrots on public transport. Gonzo my parrot used to go on the train with me from Leicester to Aberdeen bless his heart.

Littlebobo · « **Reply #9 on:** February 24, 2007, 17:16:08 PM »

I have had cats on trains and buses and never had a problem ..

Rather funny but i recall once buying a cat carrier in london and got given special treatmeny on the tube even without a cat !

CatGirl · « **Reply #8 on:** February 24, 2007, 14:48:59 PM »

Hello,i don't drive so i use 'buses to go to the vets., although when i had to be there before 9am, i ordered a taxi-which was no problem.

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2007, 13:33:24 PM »

Quote from: Christine (Blip) on February 23, 2007, 14:22:16 PM

Swampmaxmum, you might try contacting the House of Commons All-Party Group on Animal Welfare...

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmparty/061026/memi133.htm

BTW, I think this would do better in the General section - would you like me to move it for you?

Yes, if you think so; I wasn't sure where to post it.
It's good that at least informally people are being cat friendly. The trains really get me though with the guard van thing. And the airlines :-(
My 2 are very well travelled and freaked out in the hold but were happy in the cabin with us - ran all over the plane's loo for an hour each to 'stretch their legs' somewhere high up over Africa!!!! Those were the days. They got cooed over by the french cabin crew woman too, who had her own cat. And no, we didn't request special meals

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2007, 23:01:17 PM »

Oh desley you reminded me LOL.

I was bringing Kocka back to the station from the vets and needed something urgently from Tescoes.....prob cat food.........and asked at customer services if \I could leave Kocka in her carrier somehwere safe. It was sitting across my 4 wheeled shopping trolley. They said , oh just take her in.

I felt emabarrassed pushing her around a supermarket and she was obviouysly not amused either cos when we got out she had an accident in the carrier!

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2007, 21:55:34 PM »

i have only ever used taxi's, but have had probs with that - the ones that hvae complained have said 'I'm allergic' - well, the call came from the vet's surgery, so you should have sent someone else!! Have seen cats (and dogs) on the buses though, and no one seems to have complained - you used to have to pay extra for dogs though. Best one was the funny look I got when we took Pebbles to Asda!! I had asked my friend to come to the vets with me, and it was the other branch, she needed two things from Asda so I said I would go in with her and we would get the taxi from there then (this was last Feb and I think it was cold) - the security guards did a double take at a cat carrier in a trolley!! Now I have the car, they have to wait in the car for me.

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2007, 14:35:22 PM »

Gill's right about public transport in London, you often see cats (and dogs) on the bus or tube. I must say I often wonder what they make of the tube...

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2007, 14:29:15 PM »

Kocka my cat travelled on a train and on a bus but the latter was too difficult cos the carrier was so big. Occasionally a kind guard would help us into the guards van and out again but we were only going one stop. I have seen loads of cats and dogs on trains in London cos there is a PDSA in Victoria so people take there cats on the train to get there.

All I have ever had from people , is ohhhhhhhhh what a beuatiful cat, is she a persian etc etc

Sadly she is on the Bridge now.

Only problem I have had is from taxi drivers, and some apparently for religeous reasons would not have a cat in their car!!

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2007, 14:22:16 PM »

Swampmaxmum, you might try contacting the House of Commons All-Party Group on Animal Welfare...

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmparty/061026/memi133.htm

BTW, I think this would do better in the General section - would you like me to move it for you?

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2007, 14:02:48 PM »

This is a transport topic although not an a to b query. I lived for nearly 2 years with my two in France. They could go in the cabin on a flight with me and AF were great, allocating us several seats together so as to make them more comfy on board and de-stress them. The other passengers were cool about it. Then the Parisian (oui!) railway ticket seller allocated us 4 seats and a table so that we didn't have to make a 5 1/2 hour journey with the kitties (in their carriers to be sure) on our laps the whole way and they travelled TGV in style. Madame even apologised as the pet ticket says 'chien' (dog!!). Yet here it's the guard's van, the airplane hold as 'cargo' if coming into Britain (going out it's the airplane hold but as ordinary bags so they are delivered to the owner in the baggage area; not the dreadful cargo nonsense which takes hours) and on the ferries to France, all pets have to stay in the car for the journey.
When I queried this with the likes of P&O etc I was told this was for 'health and safety' reasons (I'd said I'd buy a cabin, but no go; I asked what H&S reasons but she then got nasty etc).

So if you are travelling to France or in France, your cat can go with you on all public transport (much, much less stressful) all the way to the ferry or train port, but as soon as you hit either the channel or are on the English side, kitty is banished or as in the case of Eurostar, not allowed on board at all. We've always had to pay £££s to go Eurotunnel.
I'm of a mind to start lobbying against this totally unfair treatment....anyone else agree and any ideas on where to start and who to contact?

Author Topic: Why don't they allow cats on public transport in Britain? (Read 5653 times)