Traveling with a furry friend? Here are the pet-friendly public transport options in PH (2024)

Need to bring your pet somewhere but don’t have a car? For those without their own ride, it’s always a hassle when you need to take your pets to the vet or groomer. Or maybe you just want to bring your beloved fur babies along on your coffee dates in the city or go on a longer vacation, but don’t have anyone to take care of them at home.

A couple of years ago, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced that pets are allowed in public modes of transportation. In 2019, the agency amended a provision in Memorandum Circular No. 2011-004 with MC 2019-019, that allows pets to be transported via public utility vehicles (PUV), such as buses, jeepneys, UV Express service, and Premium Point-to-Point (P2P) bus services with the following guidelines:

  • Animals must be put inside carriers or cages and placed in a designated animal compartment of the PUV should there be other passengers inside the vehicle.
  • If there are no other passengers, pets may be allowed to be carried by the owner as long as said animals are free from foul odor and the owner maintains cleanliness and sanitation.
  • Pet owners will be held responsible for any damage the animal may cause, including cleaning and sanitation of the PUV.
  • The safety, convenience, and comfort of the passengers shall not in any way be sacrificed.

Here are some pet-friendly transport services around the Philippines that you can make use of.

OTHER GUIDES YOU MIGHT FIND USEFUL:
Guide: All you need to know about inDrive, the newest ride-hailing service in PH
Transport guide: One Ayala’s routes, schedules, fares, and more

GrabPet

In case you missed the news, GrabPet is back! The service, which was initially launched in the Philippines in 2019 but halted during the pandemic, announced its return in the Philippines on September 27, 2023. Fur parents can bring their pets as passengers once again when using the on-demand ride-hailing service.

Traveling with a furry friend? Here are the pet-friendly public transport options in PH (1)

Bookings under GrabPet will get six-seater vehicles, which can accommodate a maximum of four passengers and 1 large pet or 2 medium pets. Currently, the only allowable pets are dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, fish and turtles. All pets must be accompanied by human passengers.

GrabPet has specific size guidelines for the pets they allow, with a maximum of 2 medium pets (e.g. poodles, any cats, etc.) or 1 large pet per ride (e.g. Golden Retriever, etc.). According to Grab, it’s up to the discretion of the GrabPet Driver-Partner to allow extra pets on board.

For now, GrabPet is only available in select Metro Manila areas, including:

  • Makati
  • BGC
  • Shaw-Ortigas
  • Mall of Asia area
  • Ninoy Aquino International Airport
  • Malate
  • Ermita
  • San Juan

During the rides, pet parents must keep their pets in proper carriers or have diapers or pee pads (for dogs and cats). Dogs must be kept in a carrier and have a diaper, while cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters must all be in carriers or crates. Fish must be placed in a sealed bag or closed fish tank while turtles should be in a closed container.

Grab drivers have the right to cancel the booking if the pet is not in a carrier or does not have a diaper. A cleaning fee applies in case your pet accidentally soils the car.

MRT, LRT

Since July 2021, domesticated animals and pets such as dogs and cats have been allowed on the MRT-3. According to the MMDA, pets must be enclosed in a pet carrier that does not exceed 610mm x 610mm (2ft x 2ft) in size. Only one pet per passenger is allowed, and pets should not be fed during travel. Pet owners also need to sign a Pet Waiver Form to bring their pets on board the MRT-3.

Traveling with a furry friend? Here are the pet-friendly public transport options in PH (2)

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) also announced in February 2023 that small dogs and cats will also be allowed to ride the LRT-2. Fur parents are reminded that only one dog or cat of small size per passenger is allowed to travel, free of charge. All pets should be kept in 2ft x 2ft carriers and must be vaccinated. Owners will also have to present valid and updated pet vaccine cards to ride the train.

Traveling with a furry friend? Here are the pet-friendly public transport options in PH (3)

Buses

While many public bus lines still don’t allow pets inside the passenger area, some bus companies have specific policies that allow passengers to travel with pets.

In case you need to travel from North to South of the metro like Alabang to Ortigas, the Premium Point-to-Point Bus service RRCG Transport is pet-friendly. They allow small to medium-sized pets and don’t charge extra. Just make sure pets have diapers, are in a cage/carrier, and have a leash.

You can also travel aboard provincial bus lines with pets via Victory Liner, Genesis Transit Bus, Partas Liner, and Bicol Isarog, to name a few.

Want to go take your pet to Baguio, Pangasinan, Zambales, or other destinations in north Luzon for the holidays? Victory Liner allows travelers to transport small to medium-breed cats and dogs in its buses as long as they comply with the guidelines set by the LTFRB. Just look out for the special trips aboard buses with a “pet-friendly sticker.”

Traveling with a furry friend? Here are the pet-friendly public transport options in PH (4)

In 2022, Genesis Transport Service Inc., which offers trips to Baler and Baguio, announced that they are only allowing dogs that are small to medium in size, as large and giant dogs will not be allowed. They are also requiring pets to wear animal diapers to maintain cleanliness and sanitation during the journey.

Traveling with a furry friend? Here are the pet-friendly public transport options in PH (5)

Partas Liner allows house pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles, lizards) and birds/fowls as long as owners take up the last three rows of their buses, and get the approval of other passengers. Dogs, cats, and other pets should be securely kept in carriers and will be allotted their own seat beside the owner, while fowls are to be loaded inside the bus' belly compartments (best for night trips).

If you’re headed down south to Naga City, Legazpi, or Sorsogon, Bicol Isarog Lines, which includes Penafrancia Tours, Legaspi St. Jude Transport, and Pintados allows small to medium-size pets on board as long as they have complete papers, are in a cage and wearing a diaper. One pet is allowed for each passenger. Pets will be also be charged the same rate as adult passengers with an allocated seat.

Be sure to check the terms and conditions for each bus liner before scheduling your trip.

Ferries

Filipino pet lovers can also bring their pets aboard the Pasig River Ferry free of charge. According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), pets can board the Pasig River Ferry to get to the 13 stations of Pinagbuhatan, Kalawaan, San Joaquin, Maybunga, Guadalupe, Hulo, Valenzuela, Lambingan, Sta. Ana, PUP, Quinta, Lawton, at Escolta. Aside from dogs and cats, other pets such as birds, rabbits, fish, and hamsters, are allowed as long as they are not disruptive to other passengers.

Traveling with a furry friend? Here are the pet-friendly public transport options in PH (6)

Traveling by sea from Luzon to islands in Visayas or Mindanao? Pets and other animals (except for endangered species) are allowed on ferry service 2GO provided that they are properly caged and with quarantine certificates from the Bureau of Animal Industry and a bill of lading.

According to 2GO, all breeds of dogs and cats are allowed on the vessel provided that they are properly caged (sturdy, clean, and escape-proof cages). Requirements include a Health Certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within the last 10 days before travel, proof of rabies vaccinations, and a shipping permit from the Bureau of Animal Industry.

Their 2GO Pet Travel service is available for trips accompanied by human companions or if you just need to ship pets and transport them to designated ports. For unaccompanied pet travel, a designated staff member or pet handler will be assigned to check on pets regularly during the trips to make sure they have a smooth journey. Check out the full policies and pet travel safety reminders here.

Traveling with a furry friend? Here are the pet-friendly public transport options in PH (7)

By jeepney, tricycles, UV express, taxis, and others

Policies on traveling with pets in regular taxis, UV Express, jeepneys, tricycles, pedicabs, and other forms of public transport may vary. It’s usually up to the discretion of the driver and other passengers. Always ask permission before taking public transport with a pet. To be safe, make sure small to medium-sized pets are wearing a diaper or put in a cage or carrier. Ensure they’re odor-free with respect to other passengers on the ride.

In case you’re out of options with public transport, it’s also possible to rent a private van or avail of a pet transfer service. One possibility is Pet Taxi PH, which offers hassle-free transport by land anywhere for your fur babies. The site PetBacker also offers pet taxi services, along with pet daycare, pet boarding, and related services.

Need long-term solutions to regular pet transport? Pet owners can also consider investing in vehicles, particularly e-bikes that can accommodate pets. Japanese e-bike model Pony has a cute ‘Dog Bike’that has a built-in cage under the seat that can fit small dogs and cats.

Meanwhile, Dutch e-bike manufacturer Phatfour offers a sidecar designed specifically for fur babies. How cool is that?

Know of any other transport services for pets available in the country? Tell us in the comments.

See Also

Read Next

These Victory Liner tin containers make for cool Christmas gifts

View other articles about:

  • public transportation
  • drive
  • commute
  • ride
Traveling with a furry friend? Here are the pet-friendly public transport options in PH (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Greg Kuvalis

Last Updated:

Views: 5415

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg Kuvalis

Birthday: 1996-12-20

Address: 53157 Trantow Inlet, Townemouth, FL 92564-0267

Phone: +68218650356656

Job: IT Representative

Hobby: Knitting, Amateur radio, Skiing, Running, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Electronics

Introduction: My name is Greg Kuvalis, I am a witty, spotless, beautiful, charming, delightful, thankful, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.