Families travelling on B.C.B次元官网网址檚 coast will now have extra room to travel with their fur-babies, with an addition of upper deck pet-friendly areas on the Queen of Surrey and the Queen of Coquitlam ferries.
BC Ferries requires all non-service dogs and cats to stay in designated pet areas or in vehicles, limiting the number of decks travellers can visit with their pets.
Outer deck areas were first made accessible to travellersB次元官网网址� furry companions in 2022 on the Earls Cove-Saltery Bay route, then some of the vessels on the the Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay and Powell River-Comox routes in 2023.
B次元官网网址淭he indoor pet areas vary in size from vessel to vessel since some of our vessels are quite large now and have multiple pet areas and some have smaller pet areas,B次元官网网址� said Colin Zak, a spokesperson for BC Ferries. B次元官网网址淥n the new upper deck areas youB次元官网网址檙e looking at about 2,000 [square] feet.B次元官网网址�
He said public engagement feedback from those trips was B次元官网网址渙verwhelmingly positive.B次元官网网址� On average, 92.5 per cent of respondents were in favour of expanding the pet areas to the outer decks of other ferries. In addition, the number of passengers travelling on BC Ferries with pets nearly doubled, from 5.5 per cent in 2018 to 9.9 per cent.
B次元官网网址淲e did quite a bit of consultation, not only incorporating the extensive feedback we got from customers, but we also worked with the SPCA as well B次元官网网址� and they helped us develop a staff training video for our people,B次元官网网址� Zak said.
Despite the new addition, dogs still are required to be kept on a one-metre leash and cats must stay in a travel carrier while on the outer decks.
Leon Davis, senior manager with Vancouver Island and Coastal B.C. SPCA, said he was thrilled to hear of the change, calling it a B次元官网网址渂ig improvement.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淭his is going to increase the welfare and enrichment of not only animals that get to benefit from this, but the people as well. What a better experience to be able to travel with your pet and experience some time outside?B次元官网网址� he asked.
READ MORE:
Davis said leaving pets that have seperation anxiety locked in a vehicle during a long ride can be difficult on them.
B次元官网网址淭his way they get to be outside in the fresh air, stretching their legs with their owners. ItB次元官网网址檚 a much more enriching experience and less fearful, I would think, for animals who get anxious while travelling,B次元官网网址� he said.
Guests can find the pet-friendly areas by following a designated stairwell, marked with paw prints, or using a designated elevator for those with accessibility needs.
Zak said the outdoor decks will be open to pets year-round.
Water bowls and waste bags will be provided, and BC Ferries said the area is cleaned regularly.
