Many people rely on public transit throughout the province and need to be able to take their pet with them to access veterinary care, grooming, training and more! There are many benefits of having pet friendly transit options. It can increase the number of animals adopted from local shelters, microchip/rabies vaccination compliance and the ability for guardians to access services for themselves when they have to bring their pet along. We have compiled a list and interactive map with information about pet friendly transit across the province.
More cities are added weekly, if you have information to submit, we welcome your contributions!
**Please note that we are working to connect with all cities that state pets are not allowed on public transit (primarily buses). These cities/services are indicated in red. We hope to create a pet friendly province!
**During COVID19 it is possible some cities will have further restrictions on bringing animals on public transit.
**Service animal regulations are not included in our documents because it is the law for them to be allowed on transit in Ontario. As long as the person can provide proof that the animal is a certified service animal through a recognized governing body.
Interactive Google Map
More of a visual person? Check out our google map.
List of Cities Across the Province
If you want to scroll through our list of cities, you’ll find that below (try using the search function, for example command F and type in the city you’re looking for). They are listed alphabetically. The top of the list includes transit options that are similar all over Ontario and includes – Uber, Lyft, Via Rail, Grey Hound and Go Bus.
Ontario wide:
Most taxis companies will let you bring a small pet as long as you have them contained in some way and let them know you’ll have a pet when you call.
Go Bus
Leashed dogs are allowed on trains and buses during certain times. Service animals are welcome on board with their owners all day, every day, and must wear a vest and have identification from an accredited training organization. All other pets must be in a carrier at all times while on board.
Grey Hound
We don’t let animals on board.
Lyft
Unless the passenger has a service animal, it’s entirely up to the driver whether or not to allow the passenger’s pet in the vehicle.
We advise passengers to call their drivers after their ride request is accepted to confirm that it’s OK to bring their pets.
Uber
HOW DO I REQUEST AN UBER PET TRIP?
1. In the Uber app, enter your pickup and dropoff location
2. Under “Choose a ride,” select “Uber Pet”
3. Tap “Choose Uber Pet” to confirm
4. When your driver arrives, you can bring your pet inside the vehicle
HOW MANY PETS CAN I BRING?
You can bring one pet on an Uber Pet trip.
WHAT TYPE OF PET CAN I BRING ON AN UBER PET TRIP?
You may bring one small animal such as a dog or a cat. Please note, there is no breed or size restriction and any additional pets you bring are within the individual driver partner’s discretion.
DOES IT COST EXTRA TO TAKE AN UBER PET TRIP?
Since you’ll be bringing along a pet, Uber Pet trips will cost more than other vehicle options.
In addition, if your pet leaves waste, excessive hair, or damages the vehicle, you could be charged a cleaning fee. To avoid being charged a cleaning fee, see our helpful tips below.
Via Rail
VIA Rail allows dogs and cats to travel in cars with their owners as long as the animals are small enough to fit comfortably in a carrier and follow their regulations:
- VIA Rail accepts hard and soft-sided carriers.
- The total weight of the carrier and animal must not exceed 10 kilograms (22 lb.).
- Maximum carrier size permitted in a car:
- Height : 27 cm (10,5 in,)
- Width : 40 cm (15,5 in,)
- Length : 55 cm (21,5 in.)
- Only one pet is permitted per carrier.
- Pet carriers must be leak-proof and well ventilated.
- The pet must be able to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably.
- No part of the pet may extend outside the pet carrier.
NECESSARY CONDITIONS
- The pet must be kept under control and must always be attended in the station and while on board the train.
- The pet must always remain in the carrier.
- The pet must remain imperatively in a closed pet carrier, very close to the passenger.
- The pet must remain on the floor at the passenger’s feet.
- The pet must not be left unattended in any public or private area such as a washroom.
- Under no condition can the pet carrier be placed on the seat.
- Considering the shape and structure of the seats in our cars, animal carriers cannot be stowed under your seat or the seat in front of you. They must therefore remain on the floor at your feet or between your legs.
Pet Friendly Transit – Alphabetically Listed Cities
Barrie
Securely leashed/contained and or caged dogs & non-exotic pets under the care and control of the owner at all times are permitted on a Barrie Transit vehicle (except during peak periods: Mon–Fri, 7–9am & 3–6:30pm). All pets must remain off bus seats. Service animals are permitted anytime.
Securely leashed/contained and/or caged dogs & non-exotic pets are permitted inside the Downtown Terminal at 24 Maple Avenue. All pets must remain off Terminal seats and benches.
Brampton
Peel Region TransHelp :Small animals may be transported on TransHelp provided they are in a certified animal carrier. The driver has the right to refuse the passenger to ensure the safety of other passengers on the vehicle.
Chatham-Kent
Information pending.
Guelph
All other pets [non service animal] must be secured in a small pet carrier that can fit between the seats.
Hamilton
Information pending.
Huntsville
Information pending.
Kitchener
Small animals that are kept inside a crate/enclosure are allowed on the bus. These animals are also allowed at various terminal locations if kept inside their enclosures. Larger dogs or other animals that could pose a threat to GRT customers and are not a designated service animal are not allowed on any GRT bus.
London
Pets are not permitted on-board LTC buses.
Markham
Dogs on leashes and small non-exotic pets that are without danger or offence to other passengers as determined by the bus operator are permitted on YRT/Viva buses except:
- during peak periods, from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m Monday to Friday inclusive
- during any emergency
- When vehicles are heavily loaded
Bus operators have the right to reject the boarding of any animal which they feel poses a threat to other passengers.
Mississauga
All pets must either be leashed or in an animal cage/carrier as well as no exotic animals.
North Bay
All pets must be in a closed container, such as a pet carry case.
Oakville
All other pets [non service animals] must be leashed and muzzled or contained in an animal cage. The driver may refuse to allow a customer to board with an animal if these conditions are not met. Exotic animals are not allowed on board the bus.
Orillia
Information pending.
Ottawa
- Your pet must be secured in a pet carrier at all times
- When seated, pet carriers must be carried on the customers’ laps
- When standing, pet carriers must be held by the customer or be placed on the floor at the customers’ feet and out of the way of other customers
- Pet carriers must not be placed on seats or on top of any wheel well housing
- Pet carriers must not be placed within aisles so as not to impede customer flow through the vehicle
- All small pets must be acceptable according to the City of Ottawa’s Animal Care and Control By-law, Schedule B
Among the list of prohibited animals in the by-law: non-domesticated cats and dogs, all snakes larger than three metres, and all predatory or large birds.
Peterborough
No pets (unless secured in a small pet carrier) are permitted on buses.
Sault Ste. Marie
Information Pending.
St. Catharines
Non-Certified small dogs and animals are also allowed on transit buses provided they are in animal carriers. Acceptable carriers are either rigid plastic, or soft-sided vented duffel style. The animal must be completely secured in these carriers. The animal must be carried at all times by the passenger, not bother other passengers, not take up a seat and not cause an obstruction in the aisle.
Sudbury
Pets are permitted on the bus only when contained within a proper carrying container. The container should be placed on the floor of the bus and not on the seats or the wheel wells.
Timmins
All other pets [non-service animals] must be leashed and muzzled or contained in an animal cage. The driver may refuse to allow a customer to board with an animal if these conditions are not met. Exotic animals are not allowed on board the bus.
Toronto
Pet regulations: provide that leashed pets or pets secured in an enclosed container are welcome to travel during weekends and during the weekday but not during peak rush times, rush times are approximately before 6:30 – 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m – 7 p.m. Service Animals may accompany a passenger at any time.
Thunder Bay
Small pets in carriers can come on the bus. You are responsible for your pet.
Vaughn
Dogs on leashes and small non-exotic pets that are without danger or offence to other passengers as determined by the bus operator are permitted on YRT/Viva buses except:
- during peak periods, from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m Monday to Friday inclusive
- during any emergency
- When vehicles are heavily loaded
Bus operators have the right to reject the boarding of any animal which they feel poses a threat to other passengers.
Waterloo
Small animals that are kept inside a crate/enclosure are allowed on the bus. These animals are also allowed at various terminal locations if kept inside their enclosures. Larger dogs or other animals that could pose a threat to GRT customers and are not a designated service animal are not allowed on any GRT bus.
Windsor
Passengers are permitted to board a bus with a small pet, provided the pet is secured in a proper pet carrier. The pet must remain in the pet carrier for the duration of the bus ride.
Last updated July 2020
Second Hope Circle 