Pets now allowed to travel with owners in PUVs

Pet owners are now allowed to bring their pet animals with them while traveling after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) signed a measure permitting domestic animals inside public utility vehicles (PUVs).

The Board released on Friday a memorandum amending a provision in Memorandum Circular 2011-004 which provides the terms and conditions of certificate of public convenience and providing penalties for violations.

In the 2011 order, it states that PUV operators “shall not load animals of any kind, except fowls, in the carriage of such fowls and other animals the convenience, comfort and safety of the passengers shall not in any way be sacrificed.”

The said memo was amended through Memorandum Circular 2019-019 dated April 15 which now allows pet animals inside PUVs provided that some conditions are met.

According to the Board, these animals should be inside carriers or cages and should be placed at designated animal compartment of the PUV if there are other passengers inside the vehicle.

If there are no other passengers, the LTFRB said “pets may be allowed to be carried by the owner as long as they are free from foul odor and that the owner maintains cleanliness and sanitation.”

“Further, the possessor or pet owner shall be responsible for the damage that the pet may cause, including the cleaning and sanitation of the PUV, as may be necessary,” the memorandum also stated.