BC Ferries Expands Outdoor Pet Areas on Major Vessels
BC Ferries has announced the addition of outdoor pet areas on two more major vessels, with plans for further expansion in the future. Dogs on leashes and cats in carriers will now have access to outdoor pet zones on the upper decks of vessels serving routes from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo and the Sunshine Coast.
This expansion follows the introduction of outdoor pet areas on the Earls Cove-Saltrey Bay route in 2022 and on vessels serving other routes in 2023. The total number of vessels with outdoor pet areas now stands at six.
“We’re just getting started, we’ve received a lot of positive feedback and we are of course looking at expanding it to some of our other major routes,” said BC Ferries spokesperson Colin Zaks. “The Tsawassen-Swartz Bay route is another one we are looking at expanding to. It all depends on the vessel itself.”
The decision to expand the outdoor pet areas came after public consultation revealed overwhelming support from customers. Zaks noted that the number of people traveling with dogs or cats on BC Ferries has nearly doubled since 2018, from 5.5% to close to 10%.
Pets using the new outdoor areas must be kept on a leash or in a carrier, and designated stairwells marked with paw prints must be used to access the areas. BC Ferries is committed to providing a pet-friendly travel experience for its passengers and their furry companions.