PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 18: The 5:53am first train of Amtrak's northbound service from 30th Street Station arrives to the platform, after last week's derailment, on May 18, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Eight people were killed and more than 200 others were injured in the train crash, carrying more than 200 passengers from Washington, DC to New York, on May 12, 2015 in north Philadelphia. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)

Amtrak Now Allows Some Pets To Ride On Trains, Finally

Traveling with a pet can make things a lot more difficult. But having options is a huge help. Some people prefer to travel by ground instead of by air, but until recently, taking an Amtrak train was off limits to people with pets. Now, Amtrak is changing that policy thanks to a bill that requires Amtrak to accept dogs and cats as passengers on their trains.

The bill sets up a pilot program that requires Amtrak to allow pets in at least one train car as carry-on baggage. That means that your dog or cat has to be able to fit in a kennel or tote that you can carry with you, and it must meet Amtrak’s carry-on requirements. Any dog that is too large will not be allowed to ride.

A woman carries a small dog in a dog carrier.
(Picture Credit: Getty Images)

There are still plenty of regulations and requirements that you can find on Amtrak’s website, and the program is only available on certain lines. But it’s a step in the right direction that is especially helpful for certain dog breeds like French Bulldogs or Pugs who have short muzzles and find it more difficult to breathe on planes.

What do you think? Would you prefer to travel with your dog by train than by plane? Let us know in the comments below.

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