Your guide to a safe and comfortable journey with your furry companions.
We’re happy to welcome your pets aboard! Whether you're traveling on a short sailing or an overnight journey, this page will help you prepare for a smooth and safe experience for everyone, two-legged or four-legged!
Important: All animals (except guide and service animals) must remain in your vehicle or in a designated Pet Area. For more information about travelling with a guide dog or other service animals, visit our accessibility page.
Respect, Responsibly, Pawsitively!
To ensure a safe and enjoyable voyage for all passengers—two-legged and four— we ask pet owners to follow these guidelines when travelling with us.
Leash and Carrier Requirements: Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 1 metre (3 ft) at all times. Cats and other small animals should be in secure carriers. Pets must never be left unattended.
Designated Pet Areas: Pets are permitted only in designated pet areas. These include:
Outdoor Pet Areas: Located on the upper decks of select vessels.
Indoor Pet Areas: Available on certain routes.
Vehicle Deck: Pets may remain in your vehicle during the voyage.
Accessing Pet Areas: Use the designated pet-friendly stairwells marked with paw prints. Elevators are available for passengers with accessibility needs.
Stay Within Boundaries: Keep pets within the marked pet areas, indicated by yellow lines on the deck.
Limit Per Handler: A maximum of two pets.
To maintain a comfortable environment for all passengers, pets are not permitted in:
Indoor passenger lounges
Cafeterias and food service areas
Inside Terminal buildings and indoor waiting areas
Passenger walkways
Aggressive Behaviour: Dogs with a bite history or that display aggressive behaviour are prohibited in any of our designated pet areas.
Leashing Requirements: All dogs must be always held on a leash no longer than 1 metre (3 ft), whether in terminal areas, onboard and within all designated pet areas.
Muzzles for Reactive Dogs: If your dog is reactive to other dogs or people, we recommend using a muzzle for everyone's comfort and safety.
Restricted Access for Reactive Pets: Reactive or unfriendly dogs may be more comfortable staying in your vehicle or in the indoor pet area. If your dog’s behaviour causes a disturbance in shared pet spaces, a crew member may ask you to return to the car deck.
Owner Responsibility: Passengers are fully responsible for their pets’ behaviour. Any incidents may result in denial of access to pet areas or refusal of future service.
Vehicle Alarms: If you leave your pet in your vehicle, please disable your alarm to prevent unnecessary distress and noise for all onboard.
Weather Considerations: Never leave pets in vehicles without proper ventilation. Use caution during extreme hot or cold weather, and follow crew instructions for safety.
Ventilation is key: Make sure there’s enough airflow in your vehicle at all times. Open windows slightly.
Disable your car alarm: Alarms going off can distress pets and other passengers.
Stay aware of temperature extremes: The vehicle deck is not climate-controlled. Avoid leaving pets in vehicles during very hot or cold weather.
Use leashes or carriers: Pets must always be on a leash of 1 metre (3 ft) when not in the vehicle, or in secure carriers while onboard or in terminals.
Keep pets hydrated: Bring water and a collapsible bowl, especially during warmer months.
Use designated areas: For safety and comfort, only access pet designated zones onboard.
Monitor your pet’s comfort: Pay attention to signs of stress, like heavy panting, pacing, or whining.
Weather-permitting access: Outdoor pet areas may be restricted due to weather or sea conditions at the discretion of the crew.
Prepare for the season:
In summer, bring extra water and blankets for your pets to sit on, as decks can get hot.
In winter, select indoor ferries have heaters. Outer decks will be closed during heavy weather.
Look for these pet-friendly areas on the vessel and route you're travelling on:
Malaspina Sky
Coastal Renaissance, Coastal Inspiration and Coastal Celebration
Spirit of British Columbia, Spirit of Vancouver Island
Queen of Coquitlam, Queen of Cowichan, Queen of Oak Bay, Queen of Surrey
Queen of New Westminster
Queen of Alberni
Salish Orca, Salish Eagle, Salish Raven, Salish Heron
Northern Expedition
Northern Adventure
If you're sailing on one of our Northern routes between Port Hardy, Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii, available access to the pet areas differs than on the Southern routes. Northern route sailings are longer in duration, and vessel features vary, so it's important to plan and know ahead of time.
Pets are not permitted in cabins on the Northern vessels.
Access to upper outer pet areas is available only at designated times during the sailing. Announcements will be made when access is permitted to the upper deck and when it is time to return to the car deck.
Note: The Northern SeaWolf does not have an outer upper pet area.
Pet access may be restricted during heavy weather or under specific instructions from the crew.
On the Northern vessels, no customers are permitted on the vehicle deck during the sailing, however, customers will be permitted short, accompanied visits to the vehicle deck to check on their pet every few hours.
For your pet’s comfort, consider additional planning such as extra water, bedding, and waste bags.
Check out some helpful pet travel tips from BC SPCA Accredited Dog Trainer, Bernadette: