Pets

Our pet policy

We love animals here at Avanti West Coast, but we have a few simple rules to ensure everyone has a comfortable journey. You can read more about your rights and obligations in the National Rail Conditions of Travel (section 24 is all about pets).

• Animals aren’t allowed on train seats.
• Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times in stations and on trains (unless they’re in a carrier).
• All our seats and tables onboard are shared spaces. As such, for hygiene and allergy reasons, please don’t put pet carriers on seats or tables.
• If your pet causes a nuisance or inconvenience to other passengers, you may be asked to remove it.
• Travelling with an assistance dog? Don’t forget you can book Passenger Assist for your journey.

How to travel with a pet

We want to ensure that you, your pet and your fellow passengers have an enjoyable journey, so we ask anyone taking dogs on trains to keep them on a lead or in a carrier. Cats, birds and other small animals should also be kept in a carrier no larger than 85 x 60 x 60cm in size. We want all of our passengers, even the four-legged ones, to travel in comfort, so your carrier should be designed to allow your pet to stand up and lie down easily.

Tips for travelling with dogs

We want to ensure that taking dogs on trains is as easy as possible so both you and your pet have a pleasant journey. Here are some tips you might want to consider before you travel:

• Consider the time of day you’re travelling at. Trains tend to be busier during the morning and evening rush hours, which could be stressful for your dog. If you don’t have any restrictions on when you need to travel, you may want to take a later train to ensure a more relaxing journey.
• Even if you’re travelling during winter, public transport can be hot for pets, so remember to bring some water with you.
• If you’re on a long train journey, your dog will get hungry so don’t forget to take their regular meals with you.
• You might want to take some treats with you in case you need to ask your dog to lie, sit or carry out another command.
• Hopefully, your dog won’t need to go to the toilet whilst you’re travelling, but it’s a good idea to take some poo bags with you just in case.
• Recognise the signs of distress in your dog, such as excessive panting, pacing, and chewing. If it’s a long journey and these behaviours persist, you may need to decide whether to take your dog off the train for their comfort.