TIPS FOR TRAVELLING WITH PETS BY TRAIN / DOMESTIC FLIGHTS IN INDIA
COMPILED BY- DR. RK SINGH, JAMSHEDPUR
“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” – Roger Caras
Pet dogs are an inseparable part of our lives. They are the most loyal friends a person can have. We do not leave any effort to care and pamper for our pet dog in the normal life. But a dilemma ushers in when you have to travel with family. Most people would love to carry their pets along with them, but is that a feasible option when you are travelling in Indian Railways? There is no clear information in this regard. The more you read the Indian Railways rules and regulations, more you get confused. So, we thought of clearing the air for you
At the onset, travelling with an animal is not an easy task. It involves considerable expense, planning and a lot of bureaucratic tumble. Be prepared to put in considerable effort from well in advance to your travel date. I don’t mean to discourage you or make you lose hope, because there is a way that you can transport your animal across the country on the Indian Railways. But I must be honest, it is tedious and stressful.
Can you take dogs with you in a train?
Yes, you can of course carry the dogs with you when travelling. But this travel will be subject to some rules and regulations set by the Indian railways. Dogs can be kept close, in the compartment, only when you are travelling by First Class AC. In other instances they will be held as a luggage and travel in the Brake or Luggage Van. Even when you carry the dog in a train compartment, you have to make sure that the dog does not cause any nuisance. While carrying the dog in a train compartment you need the consent of fellow passengers.
Tips for Taking Your Dog in a Train
If you want to take the dog with you in the train compartment then book tickets in First AC class only. You may have to reserve two or four berths in the compartment for your use, by paying the due charges based on the type of train you are travelling by.
If you are travelling in any other class then you cannot take the dog along with you in the train’s compartment. But the dog can be carried in the Luggage or Brake Van paying the due charges. There are specially designed Dog Boxes available in the Brake Vans for such purposes.
If you want to carry your dog in the Luggage Van, then contact the Parcel Office and book for your dog two days before the commencement of journey.
If you are detected carrying a dog without due booking in an AC First Class or Brake Van you will be charged at Luggage Rates based on the weight of the dog and have to pay a minimum fine of Rs. 10 per dog. These charges are prepaid in nature.
In case the dog is the “Seeing Eye” of a blind person, the tariff charged will be same as dogs carried in the brake van, though they remain within the compartment. However, the dogs must have Collars and Chains fitted for such travel.
It is the responsibility of the owner to arrange for food and water along the course of journey.
Even when you carry the dog along with you in a First Class AC compartment you will need the consent of fellow passengers. If at any point of the journey, the fellow passengers object to the dog remaining in the compartment, the animal will be immediately removed to the Guard’s van and no refund will be provided.
Dogs cannot be carried in compartment when you are travelling in AC Sleeper coaches, AC chair car or second class coaches.
If the dog is found breaching any set of rules it will be removed immediately to the brake van and charges complying six times of the Luggage Scale Rate will be subjected to the passengers.
Is travelling in trains really safe for Dogs?
So, you can definitely carry a dog with you if all these Indian Railways regulations are adhered to. But as a pet lover you want to know about the safety of your beloved pet. Let us be frank, the conditions of Dog Boxes are not great. They are kept in a separate compartment. These small boxes with iron shutters have cramped spaces. Apart from this, the coach where these boxes are kept obviously do not have any air conditioner to regulate the temperature. . So, travelling with dogs is not the best option, especially if you cannot accommodate the dog within your compartment.
The Indian Railways is, generally, accustomed to dogs on the train. Co-passengers are cooperative enough to travel with your dog, especially if you ask them nicely. Make sure you inform everyone – from the station master, TT to the railway staff on your train – about the fact that you are travelling with an animal, so that they are mindful of any issues that might need you attention during the course of the journey.
Feline traveller
Travelling with a cat on a train, is a Herculean task. There is no way of doing this easily. To begin with, cats are considered wild animals and not pets. There are provisions to transport horses, cows, donkeys, sheep, goats and even camels and horned cattle, but not cats. To travel from New Delhi to Kerala with my 4-year-old cat, who happens to be blind, I was required to get a Certificate from the Chief Wildlife Warden at the Department of Wildlife, Government of Delhi, certifying that Blindey wasn’t a wild animal. You may be asked for such a certificate, as well. Additionally, carry a Fit To Travel certificate from your vet and the updated vaccination records of your cat.
And remember, No Animals are allowed aboard Rajdhani trains. Carriage or not.
Policy for Carriage of Pets on Domestic Flights
Small inoffensive domestic pets such as dogs, cats and birds, accompanied by valid Health and Rabies vaccination certificates, will be accepted on Air India domestic flights in the cabin or in cargo hold at owner’s risk and subject to requirements of the carrier.
Such carriage is subject to approval of the commander of the flight.
The pet must be properly carried in soft ventilated bags/kennel in the prescribed size (kennel size not to exceed 18” x 18” x 12”).The weight of the pet including the container should not exceed 5 kgs. for carriage in the cabin. Pets of larger size / weight will be carried in the cargo hold.
Maximum of 2 pets are permitted per flight and passenger accompanying such pet will be seated in the last row of booked cabin class.
A label will be affixed on the container showing the name of the pet.
A moisture absorbent mat must be placed in the container .
The pet dog must be properly muzzled and leashed
The Pets/Guide Dogs will not be allowed to occupy a passenger seat.
Pet animals can be carried as an accompanied baggage or shipped as Cargo. Bookings can be made for pets as Accompanied Baggage / Excess Baggage through Air India Reservations.
Pets will be carried at an additional charge and will not be included in the Free Baggage Allowance, even if the passenger has no other baggage.
Normal Excess Baggage Charges, would be applicable for carriage of accompanied pets on domestic journeys within India. Weight of the pet plus container as also food carried per container will be charged.
However, a Trained Guide Dog when properly muzzled and leashed and with health /vaccination certificate, may be carried free of charge if the dog is trained to lead the a passenger with impaired vision /hearing and the passenger is dependent on such dog.
