This is the second article in my car-free life series. Let’s talk about how you can have a dog and live car-free. It is possible!
This is a 3-part series. Part 1 dove into how to live car-free, and part 3 tackles my favorite activity, biking with my dog.
Owning a dog without a car feels unrealistic for many. I live in a bustling city. You have to go to the vet, parks, training, beer gardens, and any other dog related activity (we now have a Dog Bar!). Four years ago, getting a dog in the city was fantasy for me. My biggest issue was time. I had a full-time in-office job and lots of evening activities which meant that I wasn’t home very much. Once that was solved by a global pandemic that had me working from home, I realized I just needed to overcome one more obstacle… how to have a dog and live car-free.
A lack of a car? Pshh, that’s something I prided myself on. That’s when I realized that being car-free did not have to be a restriction to me achieving a long-term dream of getting my own dog.
How do I take MY dog with me?
If you haven’t figured it out by now, I ride my bike every where. Obviously, this is not for everyone or all dogs, so let’s talk through all the options for getting around with a dog. There is no one answer here. I use all of these options in some capacity. If you dream is owning a dog without a car, then here are some options, but you can also get creative with it!
- Walk or Bike
- Take Public Transportation
- Use Ride-Share Options (Uber/Lyft/Taxi)
- Rent a Car or Zipcar
- Borrow a Car
1. Walk or Bike
Obviously, this option is not for all dogs. I can walk pretty far with my dog to a beer garden and don’t have to worry about getting back, but some of my friends’ dogs can fall asleep and not want to move and are too big to pick up. I also chose a doggie daycare within walking distance. However, one very rainy morning I was forced to pick up my dog and carry him to daycare because he didn’t want to walk. My neighbor just down the street drove her dog that day.
For slightly longer distances you can bike with your dog. Depending on size and temperament, this can be a really enjoyable way to get around. There are three basic ways to ride with you dog: a trailer, a backpack, or a basket (I did also see a cool sidecar on Instagram recently!). If you’d like to learn more about choosing the right option for your dog, please see my new article on riding with your dog coming soon!
2. Take Public Transportation
Can you take a dog on a bus? Or on a subway train? Usually, but make sure to check your local regulations. In Boston, where I live, you can take your dog on the MBTA, but they must not “annoy other passengers” and have to be in a carrier during peak hours. I have taken my dog on the MBTA ferry system and had no issues with him out of his carrier and hanging out.
In NYC, the MTA system put out guidance that the dogs must be in a bag and riders got very creative making sure their large dogs were contained in a bag to bring them on the subway.
3. Use Ride-Share Options (Uber/Lyft/Taxi)
This is a great option for a rainy day, or a one way transport. Dogs are allowed in Ubers, Lyfts, and Taxis but at the discretion of the driver. I personally have had hit or miss experiences with taking my dog on Lyft. The first couple of times I booked the ride and then called the driver to ask. Everyone was an enthusiastic yes. I didn’t tell one driver and asked when he arrived and he said no. Now, I put it in the notes for the driver. I can’t tell if drivers decline because of it, but I do feel like it can take longer to get a ride some days. This is a good option but not a faster one. Some taxi services may require the dog be in a carrier or muzzled.
There are also some pet taxi services depending on the city. Boston offers Pet Van Lines, which will taxi your dog somewhere for you. This car for dogs will pick up your pet and take them to appointments hassle-free. While I rarely send my dog somewhere without me, this is still a cool service you may find useful.
4. Rent a Car or Zipcar
It’s time to go away for the weekend or take a day trip. Can I bring my dog in the Zipcar? Zipcar is a great option, and they only ask that the pet be kept in a carrier during transport. If you take the dog in the car without it you risk getting dander everywhere which may affect the next driver.
5. Borrow a Car
I’m sure at this point you’re probably yelling at your screen, what about emergencies! I am no stranger to pet emergencies. My dog has been ill and sadly bitten by another dog and required stitches. I was truly grateful to have the benefit of dog-loving neighbors who will allow use of their vehicles in a pinch.
You Say Owning a Dog Without a Car is Possible and then Listed a Bunch of Car Options… WTF?
That’s fair. I would say, 90% of the time I ride my dog on my bike. I have done some ridiculous things to travel with a dog without using a car. Last year, we went to Maine for the weekend and I got the pet and bike ticket for the Amtrak Downeaster (the conductor said he’d never see both tickets for the same person before). But I also love when friends want to do a day trip and are willing to take a furry passenger along.
The 10% of times I needed to get my dog to the vet or my sister’s and a bike or doggie backpack wasn’t going to cut it, I’ve been grateful for the ability to share a vehicle in different ways.
Enjoy Bringing Your Dog to All of the Things
If you relate to the following image, then bring your dog with you more places without worrying about having a car. Also, I will never not want to see photos of your doggos going places with you. Feel free to share them anytime!
