BC Ferries has expanded its pet pilot program to include two additional vessels, the Spirit of British Columbia and the Spirit of Vancouver Island, allowing passengers to bring their pets onto the upper decks. This program aims to enhance the travel experience for pet owners on the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route, the busiest route between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.
“It’s no secret that people want their dogs and cats to be comfortable while
traveling,” said Colin Zak, BC Ferries spokesperson. The expansion responds to customer feedback requesting more accommodating pet areas.
Kevin O’Riordan, a frequent traveler on this route, expressed his relief and excitement about the new changes. “That’s amazing,” he said. O’Riordan, who travels with his dog Sofie, previously resorted to using his vehicle to ensure her comfort due to the less desirable conditions on the car deck. “It was cold and rainy down there, and I just couldn’t do it anymore,” he shared with CHEK News.
Despite the new pet-friendly areas, there are still regulations that pet owners must follow. Pets must be leashed at all times, well-behaved, and kept out of lounges and passenger walkways. Additionally, there is a limit of two pets per handler.
“Everybody likes to get some fresh air during their voyage. These expanded pet areas were definitely in response to feedback from customers,” Zak noted.
Brianna Degriolamo, who already enjoys the upper deck with her service dog, Andy, welcomed the change for other pet owners. “Just looking at a dog in a joyful moment brings a lot of joy to people,” she said.
The new pet areas are marked with paw prints on stairwells, guiding owners and their pets to designated spots on the upper deck. BC Ferries plans to add two more vessels on the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route to the pet pilot program by the end of the month, further enhancing the travel experience for pet owners.
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