One question that saves a wasted trip
When you book, we will ask what animal is travelling and how big it is. That one detail matters more than anything else.
Some drivers cannot carry animals for health or personal reasons, and a large dog will not fit comfortably in every saloon. By telling us up front, you get a driver who has already said yes and a car with the right space. Without it, you risk a driver arriving, seeing a Great Dane and having to decline. Nobody wants that at 7am before a vet appointment.
Assistance dogs are the exception. They are always carried, free of charge, whether you mention them or not.
Where Kingston pets go by car
Kingston is a brilliant place to own a dog, with Richmond Park on one side, Bushy Park over the bridge and the river path running through the middle. Yet plenty of pet journeys are about getting somewhere you cannot easily walk.
- Vet surgeries in Kingston, Surbiton, New Malden and Teddington
- Grooming salons and dog daycare
- Kennels and catteries before you fly
- Out-of-hours emergency vets
- Park gates for a long weekend walk, collected later at a set time
Dog friendly taxi to the vet
A dog friendly taxi in Kingston upon Thames takes the strain out of vet visits. Lifting a sore, nervous dog onto a bus, or juggling a cat box on a train, is the last thing you need.
After an operation, tell us so the driver can take it gently and leave time to get the animal out safely. If you want us to wait while you see the vet, we can, at an agreed waiting rate that you hear before you book.
Matching the car to the animal
A cat or a terrier in a carrier rides happily in any saloon, usually in the footwell or on the back seat next to you. A labrador or a retriever needs more room, so we send an estate with the boot lined, or an MPV where the dog can lie flat. Two big dogs, or a family plus a dog plus luggage, call for a 6 seater taxi or a 7 seater taxi.
Tips for a calm journey
A little preparation helps both your pet and the driver.
- Walk your dog before a long trip
- Use a lead, harness or crate from door to car
- Bring an old towel for wet paws, especially after Richmond Park in winter
- Keep cats and small animals in a secure carrier the whole way
- Pack water for anything longer than half an hour
Under the Highway Code, animals should be restrained in a vehicle so they cannot distract the driver, which is another good reason for a harness or crate.
Late night emergencies
Pets fall ill at the worst moments. Because our booking line runs 24 hours, you can call 020 3740 2841 at 2am, explain it is urgent and get an honest answer on how quickly a pet friendly car can reach you.
Moving house with a cat
Cats hate moving day. A quiet separate car for the cat, booked for the moment the removal van starts loading, keeps things calm. Give us both addresses and we fix the fare.
Longer trips with a dog
Plenty of Kingston dog owners book us for trips well beyond the borough. A weekend at the coast, a visit to family in the country or a trip to a specialist vet across London. For long journeys, plan a short stop for water and a stretch, and tell us so we can build it into the fixed price.
Larger dogs travel best in an estate or MPV where they can lie flat. If you have two dogs or a nervous rescue dog, ask for the larger car even if the trip is short.
Kennel and cattery runs before a holiday
Dropping a pet at kennels on the morning of a flight is a juggling act. Many Kingston families book one car to take the dog to the kennels and then carry on to the airport, or book a separate run the day before. Either way, the fare is fixed and the driver knows the plan.
Mess and cleaning
Travel sickness happens. Bring a towel and a few bags just in case. If a car needs specialist cleaning afterwards, a cleaning charge may apply under our terms and conditions, and we will always talk to you about it first.
Book a pet taxi in Kingston
Use the form on this page and add your pet in the notes, or call 020 3740 2841. For trips with pets beyond Kingston, our hotel transfer taxi and Kingston to Stansted Airport transfers work the same way, provided the hotel or airline accepts animals. If an assistance dog is ever refused, contact Kingston Cab London right away.
