Taking cats in a taxi?

[twokits]

Booked the first annual vet visit for our my two cats for next week and now I'm worried I won't be able to take two in a taxi?

The first time they went as kittens they shared a carrier and the taxi driver didn't even know there were two in there. I've had a single older cat before and that's always been ok although a few times have had a cab driver who didn't want to take me with a cat.

Now the kittens are too big to share one carrier. I just read one "pet friendly" cab company's website said you can only have one pet per passenger though, is this the policy with all of them?

We are in London so Uber is an option, and there are several local mini cab firms.

Do I need to cancel and book one cat at a time?

(We obviously don't have a car or wouldn't need a taxi, and there is no suitable public transport option from home to the vet, buses would take 30 mins +.)

Ring the local cab companies and see what they say.

Catnav!!
Sorry no help.
I jam both mine into 1 carrier!!
Awful dcat slave I know!!

Ring a cab company I csnt see the objections they are in carriers not lose although I would think twice about my girl cat she was severely travel sick

I'd ring some taxi firms to check.

It might also be worth seeing if your vet's do a pet ambulance service. Ours charge a small fee to collect/drop off pets which is very handy.

Can both fit in one carrier ?

I can ask a local cab company yes, just wondered about other people's experiences really... Sometimes it seems the people on the phone say one thing and the driver another, as happened before when I had specifically said I was travelling with a cat and the driver then refused to take us and he had not been told in advance.

They might fit into one carrier but it will be a squeeze, and it won't be easy to get two in one as they don't like to be shut into a carrier really... It would be safer to have them separately but don't want to get stuck at the vets half an hour from home.

I’m in London and alway use a taxi to take cat to the vet. I just book an Addison Lee through the app. They’ve never batted an eyelid when I’ve appeared with a cat carrier. As long as it’s a proper one it’s not like the car will be soiled.

I’ve only got one but I can’t see that it would be any different with two. I just put it in my lap or next to me but I suppose you could strap one in.

So far I’ve only gone in for annual check/ jabs so I just book a round trip and ask the driver to wait - you pay for waiting time but you’re only in there 10 mins.

I’ve done this four years running with no issues!

Addison Lee is the one that says on their website you can only have one pet, on the pet friendly option they offer.

Get a bigger carrier? But I used to use Addison Lee to get to the mainline station to go visit my parents as precious furball was scared of the tube. I never told them in advance and they never objected.

I don’t book the Pet Select option, I’d never noticed it!

The picture on the app is of a loose dog. A cat carrier is basically just a bag.

Same as I wouldn’t book Cycle Select to transport my folding bike - folded it is basically a suitcase.

I also can’t find anywhere on the app or the website where it says you can only take one?

No experience on cats in taxis but quite a few dog walkers/pet sitters also offer transport options for helping take pets to vets etc.

There are also specific pet taxi firms, such as petcars.co.uk/

If it's a no go in the taxi, it might be worth seeing if any local dog walkers etc can help?

HTH

I get my two adult cats in one large rigid carrier together (although it takes practice to get the second one in without the first escaping!) which goes on the back seat of my car with the seatbelt through the handle, that should work in a taxi too.

I know someone who takes all 6 of hers to the cattery when she goes away, I didn't know taxis would object.

In a taxi, I mean.

My OH is a hackney licenced driver - he has all manner of customers taking animals to our local vets, just give your local taxi firm a call and ask if you can take two pet carriers.

If the worst comes to the worst could you book a cat sitter to accompany you on the journey? I'm afraid I've never taken cats in a taxi but if you need to make up the numbers I'm sure a local cat sitter (or even just a friend?)

You could also book a black cab through one of the apps, plenty of room for two cat carriers on the floor.

Maybe offer up a deposit? Are they concerned it may poo /puke?

I have taken cats in a taxi many times in the past. I was told so long as they are in a secure carrier it was fine. I am lucky I'm with my fiance who drives but its doesn't matter to the cat!!!!

I'm a taxi operator for a private hire firm, we always take cats in carriers. Some of the drivers aren't keen, but they have to have a doctor's exemption letter for allergies or whatever, to be allowed to refuse.

Just mention it when you book, you won't have an issue.

I actually wouldn't have given this a second thought. Loose pets like dogs, yes...but a cats are surely just like luggage once they're in a carrier. Could you get a larger carrier and put them in together?

I haven't read the full thread but if it's only a check up look for a home pet nurse service. My older cat doesn't like going to the vet for checkups like weight clinic or for his jabs so we found a vet nurse company on fb and you make appointments for them to visit you at home.

Helps loads!