Rules For Travelling with Your Dogs in Indian Railways

Being frequent train travellers, we all feel guilty leaving our furry companion at home while travelling. Most of the time we wish our little friend could accompany us on the journey. What if we tell you that you can actually bring the furry companion with you by following some rules that Indian Railways provides?

Yes, you read it right. You can travel with your dog on Indian Railways for real by following these two methods. You can either carry them in the AC Tier 1 accommodation or book them as the luggage-cum-break Van under the supervision of the Train Guard.

Let’s talk about these methods in detail. 

Carry your Pet Dogs in Train: With The Passenger

All you need to do is book your tickets in AC-1 tier coaches. In this type of coach, you get two different types of seating arrangements. 

1. Cabin
2. Coupe

There are 4 berths arrangements in Cabin. Whereas, the coupe has only 2 berths. To know more about the Cabin and Coupe, click here: Cabin and Coupe in 1st Class AC Coaches

(Image Credit: Rail Recipe)

In order to let your dog travel with you, you need to book the entire coupe (2 berths) or the entire cabin (4 berths), so that there will be no objection for your pet while travelling on the train. However, if you have booked only one ticket, you can still bring your dog on the train, the only condition is that your fellow passengers of that cabin do not have any objection to it. And, if they object to it, you may need to shift your dog to the luggage-cum-break van.

(Note: In case a passenger is caught carrying a dog without a valid booking, a fine will be imposed at six times the Luggage Scale Rate subject to a minimum of Rs. 50.)

Carry your Pet Dogs in Train: In Luggage-Cum-Break Van

• Under the supervision of the Train Manager (Guard) of the train, passengers are able to reserve a Dog-box located in the luggage-cum-Brake Van of conventional IF coaches for transporting their pet dogs. It's important to note that only one dog is allowed in a dog box at a time.
• A confirmed and reserved ticket for the train in which the pet dog is booked, along with proof of identity, is required for the passenger.
• It is necessary to take the dog to the luggage office at least three hours before the scheduled departure of the train.
• The booking of a dog will incur prescribed charges as per the luggage rate. Passengers should obtain a receipt (Guard's foil) and submit it to the Guard of the train at the originating station.
• Prior to boarding the Brake Van and placing the dog inside the dog box, the passenger or pet owner is responsible for ensuring that the dog is adequately restrained with a mouth guard.
• Upon arrival at the destination station, passengers must present the receipt to the Guard.
• The passenger is accountable for providing necessary supplies such as drinking water and food biscuits for their dog during travel in the brake van.
• Prior to booking, it is mandatory to obtain a fitness certificate from a Veterinary Doctor, which must confirm that the dog is free from infectious/contagious diseases. This certificate, along with the vaccination cards, must be submitted at the time of booking and should be obtained within 24-48 hours before the scheduled journey.

General Procedure to Carry Your Dog in Train

So, to bring your dog to accompany you on the journey, you need to: 

1. Book your train tickets
2. Get a copy of your confirmed tickets and write an application to the chief reservation officer of the station from where you will board the train explaining your case of travelling with a pet.
3. Complete all vaccinations for your pet and keep the certificate ready. Get a fitness certificate from a vet 24-48 hours before departure.
4. The cabin or coupe confirmation will arrive 4 hours before departure.
5. Reach the station and go to the parcel office and show them your tickets, vaccination cards, and fitness certificate of the pet/s.
6. Remember to carry photocopies of all documents, your ticket, and one photo ID. Ask them to book your pet, who will first be weighed, and the parcel charge will be levied.
7. Keep your pet comfortable by carrying food, water, their favourite toy, or something for them to chew on.

As the train chugs along the tracks, traveling together with your furry companion would bring you two closer to each other and make the journeys even more memorable.