Families travelling on B.C.91裸聊视频檚 coast will now have extra room to travel with their fur-babies, with an addition of upper deck pet-friendly areas on the Queen of Surrey and the Queen of Coquitlam ferries.
BC Ferries requires all non-service dogs and cats to stay in designated pet areas or in vehicles, limiting the number of decks travellers can visit with their pets.
Outer deck areas were first made accessible to travellers91裸聊视频� furry companions in 2022 on the Earls Cove-Saltery Bay route, then some of the vessels on the the Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay and Powell River-Comox routes in 2023.
91裸聊视频淭he indoor pet areas vary in size from vessel to vessel since some of our vessels are quite large now and have multiple pet areas and some have smaller pet areas,91裸聊视频� said Colin Zak, a spokesperson for BC Ferries. 91裸聊视频淥n the new upper deck areas you91裸聊视频檙e looking at about 2,000 [square] feet.91裸聊视频�
He said public engagement feedback from those trips was 91裸聊视频渙verwhelmingly positive.91裸聊视频� On average, 92.5 per cent of respondents were in favour of expanding the pet areas to the outer decks of other ferries. In addition, the number of passengers travelling on BC Ferries with pets nearly doubled, from 5.5 per cent in 2018 to 9.9 per cent.
91裸聊视频淲e did quite a bit of consultation, not only incorporating the extensive feedback we got from customers, but we also worked with the SPCA as well 91裸聊视频� and they helped us develop a staff training video for our people,91裸聊视频� Zak said.
Despite the new addition, dogs still are required to be kept on a one-metre leash and cats must stay in a travel carrier while on the outer decks.
Leon Davis, senior manager with Vancouver Island and Coastal B.C. SPCA, said he was thrilled to hear of the change, calling it a 91裸聊视频渂ig improvement.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淭his is going to increase the welfare and enrichment of not only animals that get to benefit from this, but the people as well. What a better experience to be able to travel with your pet and experience some time outside?91裸聊视频� he asked.
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Davis said leaving pets that have seperation anxiety locked in a vehicle during a long ride can be difficult on them.
91裸聊视频淭his way they get to be outside in the fresh air, stretching their legs with their owners. It91裸聊视频檚 a much more enriching experience and less fearful, I would think, for animals who get anxious while travelling,91裸聊视频� he said.
Guests can find the pet-friendly areas by following a designated stairwell, marked with paw prints, or using a designated elevator for those with accessibility needs.
Zak said the outdoor decks will be open to pets year-round.
Water bowls and waste bags will be provided, and BC Ferries said the area is cleaned regularly.
