Ride-share services like Lyft and Uber have taken over the nation in the last decade. A great alternative to people who do not feel like driving (or are legally obligated not to), Lyft and Uber drivers in a city are visible just about everywhere you go. Contrarily, it has allowed entrepreneurs and folks looking for supplementary cash a quick work option.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, people who need to bring their pets to a check-up or a groomer often have trouble knowing what their options are. Similarly, those who require the aid of a service dog may not be aware of their rights when trying to get a trip with Lyft.<\/p>\n
To give folks and their four-legged friends an idea of what tools and tricks they can use to get from point A to point B, we will cover all the different facets of getting a ride with your pet. From service dogs and emotional support animals to domesticated doves, this article will comprehensively cover how to request a Lyft that is pet-friendly.<\/p>\n
Lyft is a business regularly amassing over four billion dollars annually and showing no signs of slowing down. In a decade where young people are forgoing the high cost of vehicles for public transportation, Lyft, Uber, and other rideshare services have found a profitable niche. For riders, it has allowed them not to have to worry about driving accommodations.<\/p>\n
However, for those who use public transportation and ride-share services exclusively, it can be hard to know if your dog, cat, or canary fits into the fray. The good news is that no laws forbid the inclusion of your pet, though it will come down to the individual driver.<\/p>\n
Lyft has no policy preventing pets from getting into a Lyft, though it is up to the individual Lyft driver whether or not they choose to give you a ride. Because of this, it can be awkward to make a Lyft driver drive across town if they are far away just to find out that they have a severe allergic reaction to your canine.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, there is no way to filter out pet-friendly drivers from those who are unwilling, so folks will need to request a driver like they usually do. Once you request a ride, there will be a brief wait until the app finds a compatible driver. Once it does, you will see a list of details, such as their vehicle, cell phone, and first name.<\/p>\n
While it may seem like a lot of work to call every time you bring your dog, the driver may have to waste a fair bit of gas just to reject a ride. Calling ahead can save you time and the driver money. It will make getting a pet-friendly Lyft much more efficient in the long run. The contact number can be found in the driver’s information on the Lyft app.<\/p>\n
Lyft drivers know the phone number of incoming rides they accept, so they will almost always pick up expediently when you reach out to them. Typically, most will not mind a pet, though some with medical conditions such as allergies will have valid reasons for not accepting the ride.<\/p>\n
If they do not, you will need to cancel the ride and look for another driver. The driver can also cancel the ride on their end, which they may offer to do. If they cannot accommodate your pet, repeat the process until you find a driver willing to give you and your animal a lift.<\/p>\n
While there is no law against emotional support animals taking a trip on a Lyft, they are not covered under federal laws or company policies. Because of this, you will need to check with the driver ahead of time to ensure they are okay with taking on your emotional support animal.<\/p>\n
There are several benefits to owning emotional support animal<\/a>s, though they have no sway when using rideshare services.<\/p>\n The upside is that you do not need to worry about bringing any ESA letter. You must follow the guidelines listed in the previous category, as the animal will be treated like a regular pet. Because of the wide variety of animals that can be an ESA, it is heavily recommended that you state what type of pet you have.<\/p>\n While most people are fine taking on a cat, surprising them with your therapy mini-horse may not help your chances or Lyft rating.<\/p>\n Service dogs sit in a much more comfortable spot when you are looking for a Lyft. By law<\/a>, service dogs are allowed accommodation in a Lyft, which is also reinforced by their personal policy<\/a>. You are not required to outfit your dog with a flashy vest or identification tag if you state that the animal is a service dog and do not have to prove it is a service dog.<\/p>\n That said, lying about your animal being a service dog is a jailable offense in certain states. For instance, California residents can face up to six months in jail for falsely claiming their pet is a service dog. If your animal is not specifically trained as a service dog, do not claim it is one to get a few social privileges; it can be an expensive mistake.<\/p>\n The driver is allowed to ask two specific questions before allowing your service dog into the vehicle:<\/p>\n They are not allowed to inquire further. Should a driver deny your service dog or reject a trip once they discover you have one, you are within your right to report them to Lyft. Drivers cannot refuse your service dog regardless of medical conditions, religious or political beliefs, or personal objections.<\/p>\n If you need to inform Lyft that their driver has not accommodated you and your service dog, they have a Service Animal Hotline (1-844-554-1297) to file a formal complaint.<\/p>\n Conversely, you can report a problem by hitting the \u201cHelp\u201d option through the app menu.<\/p>\n If you want to ensure that you select the correct driver, you can also file a complaint through the ” Ride History ” option.<\/p>\n Once you have finished either of these methods, you can find an answer from Lyft by clicking the \u201cSupport Inbox\u201d option.<\/p>\n While it should be fine for most people to get a ride with their pet, there are a few ways to avoid upsetting the driver or having issues with rides going forward. Not every pet is created equal, and while it may be alright for a beagle to hitch a ride in a Honda Accord, an Irish Wolfhound may not be as welcome.<\/p>\n Drivers regularly have to clean their vehicles as part of their job as Lyft employees, so you will not be the only reason they stop at a carwash to vacuum their seats. However, if you bring a Great Pyrenees that hasn\u2019t seen a brush since it reached adulthood, you will not only cause the driver to have to shut down for the better part of an hour; it may also affect your ride rating.<\/p>\n Similarly, keep an eye on the paws and claws of your animal. If they track mud into the vehicle, that will not be well-received by the driver for good reason. Similarly, if you have a cat that likes to stretch by ripping up every inch of upholstery, keep their claws trimmed to avoid causing damage to the vehicle.<\/p>\n It is hard to imagine someone not loving your pet, but there are those rare few who have never warmed up to certain animals. If you bring your German Shepherd, ensure that it has received socialization around other people and won\u2019t be snarling at someone who must keep their eyes on the road.<\/p>\n Drivers generally work with riders and genuinely want to drive you to your destination (it\u2019s how they eat!), but that does not mean they should have to fear for their general safety.<\/p>\n If you have a jittery animal that gets nervous in cars, consider alternative travel options or crates before placing them in a vehicle. If you bring your cat and it starts doing acrobatics in the backseat, it could cause expensive damage to a car.<\/p>\n An idea that several clever owners will do is bring along items that calm an animal or keep it focused on something besides its immediate surroundings. If you have a cat that likes to fidget, give it a toy that keeps it occupied and idly batting away until you reach your destination. Consider a chew toy or a couple of treats for a dog to keep its mind occupied.<\/p>\n This tip will apply primarily to dogs, though other animals can benefit from a fair bit of exhaustion. If you have a pet with an endless battery, give it time to play or exercise before you take it on the trip. Having an animal inside the house all day will wreak havoc when its time to bring them into a Lyft vehicle.<\/p>\n Some animals are naturally calm, cool, and collected, though we all are overly familiar with animals that get unrivaled fits of the zoomies. If yours is one of them, take them for a walk, let them run around the yard, or give them some play time before they go abroad.<\/p>\n While we all love our dogs, drivers may not feel the same. People have allergies, phobias, their own relationships with animals, and a car they prefer to stay clean. If someone is nice enough to allow you and your favorite four-legged companion to get into their vehicle, consider giving them a tip and a good review.<\/p>\n Rideshare drivers who use Uber, Lyft, and Doordash rely heavily on rider tips and reviews to keep their jobs and pay their bills. If they take the time to allow your animal inside (which may cause them a delay), a tip and review are nice gestures that will make them say yes to the next person with a pet.<\/p>\n There is little difficulty getting a pet into a Lyft vehicle, though you may have to go through a few different drivers. If you live in a city with a small group of drivers, your situation will be more challenging. However, most folks will find that drivers are accommodating to most pets.<\/p>\n If you have a service dog, you are legally allowed to have the dog board the Lyft and sit next to you throughout the trip. If you have problems getting a Lyft or get rejected by a driver, ensure that you contact the company.<\/p>\n For those who want to take their pets out, remember to call ahead and ask the driver before they show up. While a driver may reject you outright, it is better than wasting both people’s time or waiting for another car to meet you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ride-share services like Lyft and Uber have taken over the nation in the last decade. A great alternative to people who do not feel like driving (or are legally obligated not to), Lyft and Uber drivers in a city are visible just about everywhere you go. Contrarily, it has allowed entrepreneurs and folks looking for […]<\/p>\nRequesting a Lyft for a Service Dog<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\n
Tips For Taking an Animal on a Lyft<\/h2>\n
Keep Your Pets Well-Groomed<\/h3>\n
Bring Calm, Sociable Animals<\/h3>\n
Get Their Energy Out Before the Ride<\/h3>\n
Consider a Tip<\/h3>\n
Summary of Getting a Pet-Friendly Lyft<\/h2>\n