Travel by Train with Pets
Dear Rudy--
A couple of weeks ago you fielded a question from a woman concerned
about traveling in Europe with her pet. I'm more concerned about
traveling in the UNITED STATES with my pet; the safest, easiest and
most comfortable way to travel with an animal would be by train, but
AMTRAK DOESN'T PERMIT PETS on any of its train lines! Could you
please do a little investigative journalism and find out why this is?
I, of course, keep my cat in a sturdy carrying case when I travel on the
local rail lines, and she is quiet and well-behaved -- much more so
than most children who travel on trains! For longer trips, though,
I'm obliged to rent a car, all because of AMTRAK's prohibition.
The cat carrier would easily fit on my lap or at my feet, and I'd even be
willing to buy Kitty her own seat...why is it that AMTRAK has this
unfriendly policy? (Didn't the dog Asta travel on trains with Nick
and Nora Charles, in the movies?!) I've heard horror stories
(possibly urban legends) of animals dying on airplane flights, and
many veterinarians recommend sedating pets before allowing them to
fly; AMTRAK should be marketing train travel as the safe alternative
for Rover and Puff -- a ready-made niche market! Thanks for your help.
A Listener near New York City
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