BC Ferries has introduced a three-month trial on the Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove) – Powell River (Saltery Bay) route to allow customers to bring their dogs and cats to the upper outside decks on the Malaspina Sky to test the waters and collect customer feedback.
The three-month pilot is the result of answering pet owners requests to allow their furry friends access to outside areas on board. Plans to expand to other routes will depend on “pawsitive” customer feedback.
Dogs must keep their owners on a leash at all times and cats must be in a travel carrier while on the outer decks.
Access to the area will be via a designated stairwell, with restricted elevator entry for those with accessibility needs. Paw prints on the deck mark access points. Waste bags and water bowls will be provided, and the area will be routinely cleaned.
BC Ferries loves all animals but only dogs on leash and cats in carriers are safe on the on the upper outer decks. There will be a limit of two dogs per owner.
As a reminder, BC Ferries asks drivers to turn off their car alarms while parked on the decks of vessels. Motion can set them off and the noise is very alarming to pets on the vehicle decks. For more information on travelling with pets or on the pet pilot, visit bcferries.com.
fantastic news for those of us who travel with our pets.
I have never understood why pets were not allowed on the upper deck. It’s all outdoors, and a very large space. No different than the car deck, where I’ve never seen any problems with dogs. Leashed dogs should also be allowed on public transit in off-peak hours. If the government wants people out of their cars and using transit, they have to allow leashed dogs on transit as well.
Yes them dogs better keep them owners on leashes as they are the problem. 😂
“Dogs must keep their owners on a leash at all times and cats must be in a travel carrier while on the outer decks.”
🤣 owners on a leash for a change not dogs?
Just waiting for the idiots who break the, the passengers who are allergic to cats & dogs and the passengers who are deeply afraid of dogs. When those things happen pet owners will be lucky if they are allowed to ride with their pet on the upper vehicle deck. The new rule will be, after the crap hits the fan, dogs & cats are only allowed in vehicles during the crossing.