Pet owners, accompanied by their beloved canine companions and a shy feline housed in a carrier bag, converged upon the New South Wales (NSW) Parliament in a unified call for the allowance of pets on trains, metro services, and domestic flights across the state.
Advocates argue that such a policy adjustment would bring NSW’s regulations in alignment with those of Victoria, where small animals are permitted to travel on all modes of transportation provided they are suitably contained. In Victoria, dogs are also permitted on trains, trams, and buses, provided they are leashed and muzzled.
Organized in collaboration with pet suppliers Pet Circle, approximately 50 protesters, accompanied by 20 dogs, gathered along Macquarie St outside NSW Parliament on Thursday morning to voice their demands.
The event garnered support from political figures such as Greens MP Amanda Cohn, Ryde Liberal MP Jordan Lane, and Animal Justice MP Emma Hurst, all of whom addressed the assembly.
Ms. Hurst underscored the inequity inherent in the assumption that every pet-owning household possesses a car, particularly amidst a cost-of-living crisis. She emphasized the importance of fostering a city that is conducive to companion animals, emphasizing that access to events, specialist appointments, and dog parks should not be contingent solely upon vehicular transport.
“We want to ensure our city is companion animal friendly,” she stated. “If individuals cannot transport their animals to various engagements or locations on foot, alternative access mechanisms must be provided.”
Ms. Hurst proposed the concept of “pet carriages” akin to quiet carriages on trains, suggesting designated areas on domestic flights to accommodate individuals with allergies or phobias.
While acknowledging the necessity for regulations and guidelines, Ms. Hurst highlighted that the successful implementation of pet-friendly transport policies in other jurisdictions, including Victoria, serves as a testament to the feasibility of such measures.
“The community is demanding this change,” she affirmed. “While there will inevitably be parameters in place, the existence of similar initiatives worldwide demonstrates their viability.”
