RIDER RESOURCES

Service Animals/Pets

If you have a disability, trained service animals such as a guide dog or canine companion are allowed to board with you on WestCAT buses.

Service animals are not pets. The ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to perform a specific task to assist an individual with a disability. Emotional support animals are not classified as service animals by the ADA and are not permitted on WestCAT buses unless they are secured in a proper pet carrier. Service animals must be under the control of his or her handler at all times.

Small service animals may ride on a passenger's lap. However, service animals should never ride on bus or van seats. Trained service animals behave well in public. A service animal should not growl, bark or bite other animals or passengers. Supervision of a service animal is solely the responsibility of his or her handler. If you travel with a service animal, you are responsible for any damage or injury caused by the animal.

If you require further clarification as to what ADA regulations have defined as a service animal please call (510) 724-3331.

PETS (Non-Service Animals)

Only domesticated pets may be carried on WestCAT vehicles and only in a properly secured cage or pet carrier; this does not include pet strollers. Pet carriers must be kept clear of the aisles and must not interfere with boarding and alighting of passengers. Emotional Support Animals are considered pets and may board WestCAT buses only if they are secured in a proper pet carrier.

EVACUATION-EXCEPTION POLICY

If an official evacuation order that covers all or a portion of the WestCAT service area is issued and WestCAT buses are used to facilitate the evacuation, WestCAT will permit passengers to board the bus with their pets. Every effort should be made to have pets contained in a proper pet carrier and /or secured on a leash. For purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply:

1. “Pet” means a cat or dog as those terms are defined in Section 1799.109 of the Health and Safety Code.
2. “Evacuation Order” means any order from the Governor, or a county emergency management official, county sheriff, chief of police, or fire marshal, under which persons subject to the order are encouraged to relocate outside of the geographic area covered by the order due to an imminent danger resulting from an earthquake, fire, flood, riot, or other natural or manmade disaster.

This evacuation exception policy is subject to change as best practices are made available by the Office of Emergency Services and the Department of Food and Agriculture and adopted by the agency.