You're standing on a curb, suitcases in hand, and your golden retriever is wagging his tail like he’s about to go to Disneyland. You open the app. You hit "Request." But then a cold sweat hits because you realize you have no idea if the driver is actually going to let a seventy-pound shedding machine into their pristine Toyota Camry. Honestly, it’s a toss-up if you don't know the rules. Can you take a pet in an Uber? The short answer is yes, but the "how" matters way more than the "yes." If you mess this up, you're looking at a canceled ride, a fee, and a very frustrated pet.
Uber isn't a monolith. It’s a platform of independent contractors. This means that while Uber has a specific service for pets, the standard X or XL rides are a bit of a gray area. You’ve probably heard stories of people being kicked out or drivers screaming about dog hair. Those aren't just urban legends.
The Magic Button: Uber Pet Explained
A few years ago, Uber finally got tired of the "will they, won't they" drama between drivers and pet owners. They launched Uber Pet. It’s a specific ride type you can select right in the app, usually nestled between UberX and UberXL.
When you book an Uber Pet, you are paying a small surcharge. Think of it as a "peace of mind" tax. This fee—usually a few bucks—goes partly to the driver to compensate them for the inevitable vacuuming they'll have to do later. By picking this, you’re matched with a driver who has explicitly opted in to having animals in their car. No surprises. No awkward "Is it okay if..." conversations through a cracked window.
But there’s a catch. Uber Pet is meant for one pet. If you show up with a literal pack of hounds, the driver can still say no. Most drivers are cool if you have two small cats in carriers, but if you’re moving a petting zoo, you’re pushing your luck.
What About Standard UberX Rides?
Can you take a pet in an Uber that isn't designated as "Uber Pet"? Technically, it is 100% up to the driver.
If you’re strapped for cash or Uber Pet isn't available in your city (it’s still rolling out in some smaller markets), you can try requesting a regular UberX. But you have to be a decent human about it. The second a driver accepts your ride, call them. Don't text—they might be driving and miss it. Call them and say, "Hey, I have a dog with me. He's friendly and I have a blanket. Is that okay?"
Sometimes they say yes. Sometimes they cancel immediately.
If they cancel, don't take it personally. Some drivers have severe allergies. Some just bought their car yesterday. Others might have had a bad experience where a previous rider's "perfectly behaved" Chihuahua decided to use the floor mat as a bathroom. It happens.
The Service Animal Exception (The Law)
Everything changes when we talk about service animals. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the U.S., and similar laws in many other countries, Uber drivers cannot refuse a rider with a service animal. Period.
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It doesn't matter if the driver is allergic. It doesn't matter if they have religious objections. It doesn't matter if they just don't like dogs. According to Uber’s own legal policy, which aligns with federal law, a service animal is not a "pet."
"Drivers have a legal obligation to provide service to riders with service animals. A driver cannot lawfully deny service to riders with service animals because of allergies, religious objections, or a generalized fear of animals."
If a driver refuses a legitimate service animal, they risk being permanently deactivated from the platform. It’s a huge deal. However, this only applies to dogs (and sometimes miniature horses, though you don't see that often in a Prius) that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not service animals. This is where people get confused. If your dog provides comfort but isn't trained for a specific task like guiding the blind or alerting to seizures, they are a pet in the eyes of the law. You can't use the ADA to force an UberX driver to take your ESA. For those situations, stick to Uber Pet.
Handling the Mess and the Fees
Let's talk about the nightmare scenario: the "accident."
Even the best-behaved dogs get car sick. If your pet vomits, pees, or sheds an unreasonable amount of fur, you are on the hook. Uber allows drivers to submit photos of messes to claim a cleaning fee. These fees aren't cheap. We are talking anywhere from $20 for a little fur to $150 for "biological fluids."
To avoid this, bring a towel. Better yet, bring a specialized pet seat cover if you travel often. If the driver sees you being proactive about protecting their leather seats, they are much more likely to give you a five-star rating.
Strategies for a Successful Ride
If you want to ensure you actually get to your destination, follow these unwritten rules:
- Restrain the beast. Use a crate for cats or small dogs. For big dogs, keep them on a short leash on the floorboard if possible.
- Bring a lint roller. Show the driver you have it. It’s a psychological trick that says, "I respect your car."
- Check the weather. If it’s raining and your dog smells like a wet swamp, maybe wait for the fur to dry or cancel the ride. No one wants "Eau de Wet Dog" in their workspace for the next four hours.
- Tip well. If a driver accepts your pet in a non-Uber Pet ride, they are doing you a massive favor. A $5 or $10 tip goes a long way in ensuring they continue to say yes to the next pet owner.
Why Drivers Hate (and Love) Pets
I talked to a veteran driver in Chicago named Mike who has over 10,000 rides. He loves dogs but hates "pet people."
"I've had people try to hide a cat in a duffel bag," Mike told me. "That’s how you get kicked out. Just be honest. If someone tells me upfront their dog is a shedder, I’ll just put a blanket down. It’s the lying that gets me."
Drivers are also rated by every passenger. If your dog leaves a mess and the next passenger complains about hair on their black suit, the driver’s rating drops. Their livelihood literally depends on those stars. When you ask, "Can you take a pet in an Uber?" remember that you're asking to bring an animal into someone's mobile office.
What to Do if You Get Refused
If you booked an Uber Pet and the driver refuses you, report it. You shouldn't be charged a cancellation fee for a service you specifically paid for.
If you booked a regular Uber and they refuse, that’s their right. Just cancel, suck up the fee if it applies, and try again with the proper category.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
Before you hit that "Confirm" button, run through this checklist to make sure you and your furry friend don't end up stuck on the sidewalk.
- Check the App Version: Make sure your Uber app is updated. Older versions sometimes glitch and don't show the Uber Pet option correctly.
- The Blanket Rule: Always carry a cheap fleece blanket in your bag. It’s the universal sign of a responsible pet owner.
- Time Your Ride: Avoid peak rush hour if you have a large dog. Drivers are already stressed by traffic; adding a barking husky to the mix is a recipe for a 1-star rating.
- Identify Your Animal: If it's a service animal, be prepared to answer the two legal questions: (1) Is the animal required because of a disability? and (2) What work or task has the animal been trained to perform? You do not have to show "papers" or "certification" (which are usually scams anyway), but you do have to answer those questions.
- Pin Location: Walk to a spot where the driver can easily pull over. Trying to load a dog into a car while double-parked on a busy street makes everyone frantic.
Basically, just don't be a jerk. If you treat the driver’s car with respect, you'll find that most of them are actually happy to have a four-legged passenger to brighten up their shift. Select Uber Pet, bring a blanket, and enjoy the ride.