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.
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!
**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 Transit
You can travel with a maximum of two leashed dogs when you board on weekdays between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and from 6:30 p.m. until the end of service, and all day on weekends and holidays.
Outside of these hours, during rush hour, dogs are welcome on board but must be in a pet carrier that can fit on your lap or under your seat.
All other pets must be in a carrier at all times while on board.
Flix Bus
For safety reasons, we cannot transport any pets in our coaches. The only exception to this is guide dogs and companion dogs.
Your companion dog travels absolutely free upon presentation of an official/medical certificate stating that their presence is required at all times.
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.
Brampton
When booking, tell your customer service representative that you’ll be travelling with a service or support animal or pet. Travelling with an animal companion may affect booking a same-day flexible trip.
Traditional service and support animals and pets are:
- Cats
- Dogs
- Ferrets
- Gerbils
- Guinea pigs
- Hamsters
Animals that aren’t in this list are non-traditional.
If you want to travel with a non-traditional pet, call 905-791-1015 for approval before booking.
To travel on a TransHelp vehicle, a service or support animal or pet:
- Must be up-to-date on all necessary vaccinations.
- Must be free from any disease that can spread to others.
- Can sit on your lap or on the floor beside you.
- Must be on a leash or in a pet carrier while on board.
- Must stay under your care and control at all times.
- Must be tame, well-behaved, and responsive to your instructions.
Aggressive or disruptive animals will not be allowed to ride TransHelp.
If another passenger is allergic or afraid of your animal, the TransHelp operator will pull over and request another vehicle.
Peel Region TransHelp Pets Policy
Chatham-Kent
Passengers are allowed to board Ride CK vehicles with small pets, subject to the following:
- Your pet must be secured in a pet carrier at all times
- When seated, pet carriers must be carried on the passenger’s lap
- If standing is permitted on the vehicle, the pet carrier must be held by a standing passenger or be placed on the floor at the passenger’s feet and kept out of the way of other passengers
- 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 (i.e. non-prohibited) according to the relevant bylaws and legislation of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent and the Province of Ontario
Excluded from this policy are service animals and guide dogs trained to perform specific tasks for persons with a disability. Passengers are responsible for their service animal at all times. The Operator may ask you to provide documentation from a health care professional stating that your service animal is needed due to your disability.
Chatham Kent Transit Pets Policy
Guelph
No pets (unless in a small pet carrier) are permitted on buses; service animals are permitted on buses
Hamilton
Hamilton Street Railway (HSR)
You may bring service animals on the bus at all times. Proper identification should be visible or provided.
All other animals are allowed on board only if they are contained in an animal-carrier device, the bus is not crowded and it doesn’t inconvenience other passengers.
Huntsville
Information pending.
Kitchener
Grand River Transit
- Small animals must be in kept in a small crate or enclosure.
- No large animals, excluding service animals.
- Service animals that accompany passengers with disabilities, such as guide dogs, are welcome at all public areas of the Grand River Transit system.If you have a service animal, please remember:
- The animal must be under your care and control at all times.
- Service animals must not pose a risk to other passengers or to GRT operators.
- If your service animal does not wear a vest or harness, you may be asked to provide acceptable documentation from a regulated health professional, confirming the animal is required due to a disability.
Grand River Transit Pets Policy
London
Small domestic pets can be transported on London’s public transit services only if they are in a fully enclosed pet-purpose cage/carrier that can either be held on the lap of the rider or fit under the seat/at their feet where they sit/stand.
Markham
York Region Transit
Customers using a service animal or bringing a pet on board a vehicle are responsible for the animal and will be held liable for the behavior of the animal. Service animals must sit on the floor of the vehicle and are not allowed on the seats. Pets must be transported in a carrier and be handled by the customer only. The customer must inform the Trip Reservationist at the time of booking if they are travelling with a service animal or pet.
York Region Pets Policy Page 17
Mississauga
Pets are allowed, but they must be leashed or kept in an animal cage. Exotic animals are not allowed.
Service animals or guide dogs provide essential assistance to a person with a visible or invisible disability. Service animals are allowed on MiWay buses. If your service animal is not wearing a distinguishable vest or harness you may be asked to show a letter from a registered health professional confirming it is a service animal.
Mississauga Transit Pets Policy
North Bay
All pets must be in a closed container, such as a pet carry case. North Bay Transit allows dogs for the Blind, the Hearing Impaired and Therapy Dogs, on duty, to ride on the buses. These dogs do not require pet carriers. Persons must carry and show appropriate identification for themselves and the dogs.
Oakville
Service animals are permitted on board an Oakville Transit bus. All other pets must be leashed 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.
The customer bringing the pet on board the Oakville Transit bus shall be responsible for the care and control of their pet.
Orillia
Information pending.
Ottawa
All OC Transpo and Para Transpo customers are allowed to board with small pets.
Here are the rules to follow when boarding the bus or train with your pet:
- 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.
Service animals used by persons with disabilities are welcome on board all OC Transpo vehicles.
Peterborough
Pets (unless secured in a small pet carrier) are not permitted; service animals are permitted.
Peterborough Transit Pets Policy
Sault Ste. Marie
Information Pending.
St. Catharines
- Certified service animals are allowed on buses.
- Non-certified comfort animals are also allowed on buses.
- The animal’s owner is responsible for the animal’s behaviour. Transit staff reserves the right to deny entry to animals exhibiting aggressive or dangerous behaviour.
St Catharines Transit Pets Policy
Sudbury
Pets are not permitted on board GOVA Plus with the exception of registered service animals or small pets confined to a portable pet crate no larger than 26″ L x 17″ W x 17″ H (66 cm L x 43 cm W x 43 cm H).
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
TTC Wheel Trans
Pets must be on a leash or in a pet carrier at all times and must adhere to regulations under the Carry-on Items Policy.
Service Animals may accompany a passenger at any time.
Thunder Bay
Small pets in carriers are permitted on the bus. You are responsible for your pet.
Vaughn
See Markham for York Region Transit pet policies.
Waterloo
See Kitchener for Grand River Transit’s pets policy.
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.
Working animals assist persons with disabilities in our community. A working animal is allowed on board under the following circumstances, and documentation must be presented if requested by the driver:
-
A harness or vest is in use.
-
A letter is available from a physician or nurse verifying that the animal is required for reasons relating to the
disability.
Last updated July 2025
Super Senior Cat Sanctuary 