The Latest Lyft Update That'll Make Traveling With Pets Even Easier

Traveling with pets can be a challenge, especially when using ridesharing services. However, if you are a cat or dog owner, we have some fantastic news that'll make you and your furry friend purr or wag their tail with joy! The ridesharing app Lyft released a recent update — just in time for National Dog Day, August 26 — that will make it much easier to travel to travel with your pets in America. 

In response to growing demand, Lyft has introduced a "Pet Ride" option, allowing riders to specifically request a driver who is open to accepting pets. For an extra $4 charge (plus tax), which will be included in the upfront price, Lyft users can bring along one well-behaved cat or dog. This is in addition to transporting human travelers — as many as can legally fit in the car, usually four — to go wherever they need to go. The driver will receive the full additional fee for the ride.

Vet appointment? Day trip to one of the most dog-friendly national parks in the U.S.? Or maybe you're just out and about to run some errands. Your pet can now come along. Lyft has always welcomed service animals — drivers are required to pick them up by law and Lyft's policy. However, the new addition of the "Pet Ride" mode is a major game changer that'll make ridesharing more inclusive and convenient for people with non-service animals.

To schedule a Lyft with your pet, simply select the "Pet Ride" option in your Lyft app and wait for your driver. To maintain cleanliness and courtesy — both to the driver and other riders after you — the pet needs to be inside a secure carrier, on a blanket (in your hands or your lap), or at your feet throughout the duration of the ride. Following these rules will help keep the car safe, avoid any "oops" moments, and cut down on the furry evidence your pet leaves behind. No one likes finding half a Husky's or Maine Coon's worth of shedding in the backseat.

Not all drivers offer pet rides, but you can be sure that when you book this ride mode, you can trust that the driver who arrives is animal-friendly and fully prepared to welcome both you and your four-legged companion. You'll even be able to rate your driver using paw prints instead of stars. At the moment, as the feature is so new, Lyft is only offering pet rides in the United States. But, perhaps with time, pet rides will expand to Canada and other international destinations. After all, if you can buy a plane seat for your dog or cat, it only makes sense that you could do the same with a rideshare. Here's to purrfect travels!