Don’t forget Fido: BC SPCA hopeful BC Ferries consultation includes pet travel
Posted April 8, 2019 4:41 pm.
Last Updated April 8, 2019 4:47 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
METRO VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The BC SPCA is hoping pets will be kept in mind by BC Ferries as it prepares to wrap up consultation on how to improve Horseshoe Bay terminal.
While there are about 16 designated pet spaces across all BC Ferries’ vessels, the BC SPCA says there’s still some work to be done to make the trip better for our four-legged friends.
Amy Morris is the society’s Manager of Policy and Companion Animals, and says aside from improved pet spaces, an emergency plan that includes animals needs to be established.
“If a ferry needs to be evacuated, people are going to expect for their pets to be able to be evacuated with them, and currently that’s not a practice that BC Ferries has.”
RELATED: BC Ferries seeks input on the future of the Horseshoe Bay terminal
The society would also like to see larger designated areas for people who are travelling with their dogs. Morris says right now, people will tend to go to the upper car deck with their pets, and find a spot there. The option isn’t necessarily in line with BC Ferries’ policies, but Morris says it’s the only way to keep pets safe, and not alone in cars.
“Some of these pet spaces are really tight. You try to put 25 dogs in a space that’s designed for two, you’re going to have some conflicts,” she adds. “But I think a passenger area that accommodates pets would be big enough where people could kind of find their own little corner, and settle in.”
Morris says the conversations with the Crown Corporation in the past have mentioned that there isn’t an ability to make modifications to the current fleet of ferries, but they may be able to make those changes to future vessels.
“They’ve essentially indicated that it’s tricky to make any changes to their current ferries, but that they are willing to consider, for new ferries. To them, they need to hear from the public.”
A survey collecting feedback on this matter, along with other subjects like what passengers would like to see for seating and entertainment options, closes this Friday.
BC Ferries says it’s previously worked closely with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association when developing some of its previous pet policies.
“We are happy to implement as many of those requests and ideas as possible,” says BC Ferries’ Astrid Braunschmidt.
