Pet Transport Solutions: Addressing Barriers to Veterinary Care
Access to reliable transportation is a barrier, especially for families in underserved communities. Getting pets to routine or emergency veterinary care or grooming care helps pets stay healthy and families stay together.
15% of pet families and 30% of families with dogs are unable to get to veterinary appointments due to transportation challenges.
Many urban transit systems allow small pets in carriers, but accessibility limited for larger pets.
Pet taxis and rideshare options are growing, providing opportunities to bridge the gap.
Looking for a Ride for a Pet?
This guide is designed to help pet owners explore various transportation methods available across the U.S. It highlights public transit policies, pet taxi services, and rideshare options that accommodate pets, making it easier to access essential care.
Want to Start a Program or Learn More?
Download our 15-Minute Microlearning Transportation Nugget on overcoming transportation barriers to veterinary care.
Listen to a 30-minute Lunch 'n Learn hosted by Maddie’s Fund, featuring leaders in pet transport innovation. Details coming soon.
Discover how organizations are leveraging staff, volunteers, and rideshare platforms to create sustainable transportation programs. Maddie’s Community Conversation on Exploring Pet Inclusive Transportation Options to Increase Access to Veterinary Care.
Sign up your organization with Uber. Get your own Uber dashboard and set a budget you want to spend. A small amount can help cover a number of rides. Pay for part or all of a ride for clients. The dashboard makes it easy to track your funds and number of rides to share with your team, donors and grant funders!
All the data for each ride (including mileage and expenses) is tracked automatically. Easy reports provide stats at your fingertips.
Download an easy, step-by-step guide created by Open Door (pdf).
Testimonial
Dreams for Change is incredibly grateful to the Open Door Veterinary Collective for the $250 Uber grant, which supports our Safe Sleeping program clients and their beloved pets. This funding has allowed nearly 10 riders to transport their animals to veterinary appointments and other pet needs. One client surrendered his dog and expressed gratitude for that final car ride, which even included a stop at Starbucks for a pup cup.
Another client Linda found housing and needed to have her dog Solider vaccinated before moving in. With this grant we were able to help Linda stop by the vet clinic and move in all in one trip. She was immensely grateful for the opportunity to both secure housing and care for her pet in their new environment.
With this grant, Dreams for Change has been able to address another barrier that many unsheltered pet owners face. We now have the ability to continue using Uber to assist clients when we cannot find volunteers to provide transportation. Thank you, Open Door Veterinary Collective!
