Carrying Pets in Trains : Procedure / Booking Details
Indian Railways transports various animals such as elephants, horses, mules, sheep, goats, dogs, and different kinds of birds. For pet dogs, trains are often considered the most preferred mode of travel. Railways offer a safe and affordable way to transport pet dogs. Passengers can either take their pet dog with them in First AC accommodation or book the dog as luggage in the luggage-cum-brake van, where it will be under the supervision of the Train Manager (Guard). Passengers or pet owners who wish to travel with their pet dog must follow the procedures prescribed by Indian Railways, as mentioned below.
Information Regarding Booking Of Pet Dogs/Cats In Passenger Trains
The owner must care for the pet, including food, water, and hygiene during the journey. Pets must not create disturbance or discomfort to other passengers. The owner is responsible for any damage caused by the animal.
Indian Railway announced Information regarding Booking of Pet Dogs/Cats in Passenger Trains
- Booking of dogs can be done in the dog boxes with the guard, subject to availability. Such dog boxes are available in many trains. The availability of dog box in a train can be enquired from concerned Parcel office.
- Puppies/ kittens which can be carried in a basket can be carried by owners in any class after payment of usual booking charges.
- Dogs/ cats accompanied by owners can be carried in 1st AC when entire four berth cabin or 2 berth coupe is booked by such passengers on a single Pnr on payment of usual booking charges.
- The request for allotment of such 4 berth cabin or 2 berth coupe can be made in the divisional railway manager office or General Manager office. Due consideration is given to such requests while allotting the cabin or coupe.
Pet booking is done at the parcel/luggage office before the train’s departure. A fitness certificate from a veterinarian may be required. Vaccination documents (especially anti-rabies) should be carried.
- Only one dog can register for a travel ticket.
- To register, the train must arrive at the train station three hours before the departure.
- In order to train the pet dog, the dog must have received a health certificate 24 hours to 48 hours prior to that the dog has no infectious disease.
- Puppies carrying in baskets should also have an additional vaccination card.
- Six times fine will be charged if dogs are taken by train without registration.
Pets in Trains : Permission to Carry
Passengers are already allowed to take their pet dogs on trains. There are some procedures for carrying pet dogs on trains. Accordingly, first class refrigerator can be carried along with pet dogs while traveling. This may have to pay extra. If nearby passenger objects, pet dog will be transferred to train manager’s cage. No additional fee will be refunded. Other two refrigerators, three layer bed, chair boxes, second grade bed, seat boxes, second class bed, seat boxes can’t even carry pet dogs in second grade public boxes. But in the basket you can carry small puppies in all class boxes. Apart from air conditioning first class travel ticket jobs, other passenger pet dogs can be transported through dog cages in the train manager’s box. For safe transportation in dog cage, pet dog must be with a mouthwatering and a short chain on the neckband. Passengers should take care of the needs of food and water for the dog during the journey.
Pets in Trains : Charges
Charges vary based on:
- Mode of travel (First AC or Brake Van)
- Distance
- Weight of the pet
- Penalties apply if pets are carried without proper booking
Pets in Trains : In carriage with passengers
- The passenger must book accommodation in AC-First Class or First Class in 2-berth Coupe or 4-berth Cabin exclusively so that the passenger(s) can travel along with the pet dog. It may be noted that passengers not in possession of AC-First Class/First Class Cabin/Coupe tickets are not permitted to carry their pet dogs along with them during journey.Pet dogs are not allowed to be carried in any other class of accommodation other than AC-first class and first class.
- Only oÂne dog will be allowed per Passenger Name Record (PNR).
- The dog must be brought to the luggage/parcel office for booking at least 3 hours in advance of the departure of the train, whether the passenger holds PRS ticket or oÂnline ticket booked through IRCTC, upon confirmation of the allotment in AC-First/First Class Cabin/Coupe after charting.
- Prescribed charges in luggage rates as applicable will be collected for the pet dogs to be carried along with the passenger in AC First Class/First Class coupe
- Dogs are not allowed to be carried in AC2 tier, AC 3 tier, AC Chair Car, Sleeper Class and Second Class Compartments.
- If fellow passengers subsequently object to the dog remaining in the compartment, it will be removed to the Guard’s van, no refund is given.
- If a passenger is caught carrying dogs without proper booking, penalty will be levied. Owner of the dog will be charged at six times Scale-L luggage rates subject to a minimum of Rs.30 by Indian Railways.
- Fitness certificate from a Veterinary Doctor citing that the dog is not suffering from any infectious/contagious diseases must be obtained 24-48 hrs before journey and must be mandatorily submitted along with vaccination cards at the time of booking. Doctor’s certificate clearly mentioning the breed, colour and gender of the pet dog is mandatory for booking.
- Passengers will be solely responsible for the safe carriage of dogs. Owners should make their own arrangements for water and food for the dog during the journey.
Pets in Trains : Puppies in Basket
Puppies can be carried in baskets in all the classes of accommodation. Passengers carrying the puppies in baskets should hold a confirmed ticket and valid proof of identity. Fitness certificate from a Veterinary Doctor citing that the dog is not suffering from any infectious/contagious diseases must be obtained 24-48 hrs before journey and must be mandatorily submitted along with vaccination cards at the time of booking. Doctor’s certificate clearly mentioning the breed, colour and gender of the pet dog is mandatory for booking. Prescribed luggage charges as applicable will be levied for booking. The passenger will be solely responsible for safe carriage of puppies in the basket.
Not Allowed in Certain Coaches
- Dogs and cats are not permitted in:
- Second AC (2A)
- Third AC (3A)
- Sleeper Class
- General/Unreserved Class
- Chair Car
(Except service animals for visually impaired passengers.)
- Guide Dogs for Blind Passengers
- Guide dogs are allowed free of charge.
- They must be properly trained, chained, and muzzled.
- They are allowed in 2A, 3A, and Sleeper if accompanying the owner.
Pets in Trains : In Brake Van
Dogs and cats can be transported in the luggage-cum-brake van, which has a special enclosure for animals. They must be booked as luggage, and charges depend on the pet’s weight and distance. Pets are kept under the supervision of the Train Manager (Guard).
- The passengers can book their pet dogs for carriage in the Dog-box available in luggage-cum-Brake Van (of conventional ICF coaches), under the supervision of the Train Manager (Guard) of the train. oÂnly oÂne dog will be allowed in a dog-box at a time
- The passenger must hold a confirmed/reserved ticket (for journey in the train in which his pet dog is booked) and proof of identity
- The dog must be taken to the luggage office, at least 3 hrs in advance of the departure of the train.
- Prescribed charges in luggage rate will be collected for dog booking. The receipt (Guard’s foil) obtained should be submitted to the Guard of the train at the originating station.
- The passenger/pet owner must ensure that the dog is properly chained with a mouth guard before the dog is boarded in the Brake Van and kept inside the dog box.
- At the destination station the passenger foil of the receipt must be produced to the Guard
- It is the responsibility of the passenger to provide drinking water and food (biscuits etc) for the dog traveling in brake van
- Fitness certificate from a Veterinary Doctor citing that the dog is not suffering from any infectious/contagious diseases must be obtained 24-48 hrs before journey and must be mandatorily submitted along with vaccination cards at the time of booking. Doctor’s certificate clearly mentioning the breed, colour and gender of the pet dog is mandatory for booking.
