Rules for transporting cats on a train: documents, features, preparation

People who have pets sometimes find it very difficult to leave their pets at home and go temporarily to another city. Therefore, many people decide to travel on a train with their four-legged pets.

However, before you decide to take such a step as transporting a dog or cat, you need to find out what rules for transporting animals on Russian Railways trains have been established in 2021.

Rules for transporting small animals as hand luggage

Chapter XIV of Order No. 473 “On approval of the rules for the transportation of passengers and luggage” describes how to transport animals, birds and dogs on a train:

Small animals (cats, rodents), birds, as well as small dogs must be transported in special containers that must match the size of the animal.
Containers (cages, boxes, baskets) must be placed in the seats of passengers with whom pets are traveling. In this case, portable devices must be located in such a way that neither the animal nor other passengers are harmed.
The size of the container (box, cage) should not exceed 180 cm.
Animal owners are independently responsible for maintaining the sanitary and hygienic regime regarding their animals. This means that they themselves clean the container and disinfect it after each pet emptying. They must ensure that the seating area is kept clean and hygienic. Therefore, it is advisable to place a special absorbent mat on the bottom of a portable device for a cat or dog before traveling. During transportation, it is better to limit feeding of your four-legged pet. And at stops it is recommended to take the animal out to relieve itself in designated areas.
It is prohibited to transport animals and birds, the transportation of which may jeopardize the health and life of other passengers or train workers (for example, an animal has rabies, it behaves aggressively, is a stray animal, etc.).
It is possible to transport small animals over short distances without containers. In this case, dogs must be on a leash and muzzled, and cats must be under the supervision of their owners or attendants.

If a dog demonstrates its violent character, bares its teeth, behaves noisily and restlessly, the conductor has the right to prohibit the owner of the four-legged dog from traveling with the animal on the train.

How to prepare your pet for the road

So, you’ve sorted out the organization of your trip: your passport is ready, you’ve taken care of a comfortable carrier for your cat (remember: this is the only way to transport cats!). But how can you prepare the cat for the upcoming journey, since most cats are homebodies?

Few cats enjoy being pulled out of their warm, familiar home and immersed in a frightening world of foreign smells, sounds and sights. These tips will help you prepare your pet for the road.

A few days before leaving, place the carrier in the cat’s favorite place in your apartment, put there your favorite blanket and toys. Let your cat think that the carrier is a comfortable and familiar place to be.

To prevent your cat from vomiting and motion sickness during the trip, feed it a few hours before transportation. Make sure that during a long journey the cat is provided with drink and is not in danger of dehydration, this is especially true during the warm season.

In case of any incidents, place some absorbent diapers at the bottom of the carrier.

While driving, the carrier should be secured with a seat belt, and located where vibration of the vehicle is less felt.

To help your cat stay balanced, cover the carrier with a towel. Let your pet see fewer unfamiliar pictures.

What documents are needed to transport animals on a train?

Due to the new rules that have come into force, in 2021 the owner or accompanying animal does not need to take with them any veterinary documents - certificates, passports, certificates for transportation, certificates, etc., if transportation is carried out within the country.

The only document that is needed is a ticket for the animal (travel document).

If we are talking about transporting animals on international trains, then completely different rules apply.

The pet owner must have a veterinary passport with vaccination and deworming records, as well as a certificate of health of the animal.

Carriage of animals on long-distance trains

If it is necessary to transport an animal on a long-distance train, then the pet owner has the right to transport 1 animal per 1 ticket and no more than 2 small animals or birds per seat.

It is possible to carry animals in excess of the norm as hand luggage if the passenger orders a separate compartment of a rigid carriage.

Fee for transporting animals on the train

If a passenger has purchased a ticket for a commuter train, then he will have to pay a separate fee for the transportation of small pets, birds and dogs.

Also, the animal lover who transports the animal on a long-distance train will have to pay separately.

Rules for transporting large dogs

Large dogs can only be transported on Russian Railways trains with muzzles and a leash . However, transporting large dogs in a reserved seat is prohibited.

A passenger who wants to transport a large pet must order a separate compartment of a compartment car. However, for a large dog the owner must pay the full cost of the ticket.

And the number of people or passing animals in the compartment should not exceed the standard number of seats in the compartment.

It is also allowed to transport large breed dogs on commuter trains in the vestibule . At the same time, according to the rules, no more than 2 large dogs can be transported per carriage.

The owner of the animals must be close to the pets. In this case, payment for the transportation of dogs in the vestibule is carried out according to all the rules - for the transportation of dogs.

Features of guide dog wires

In paragraph 125 of Chapter XIV of Order No. 473 it is noted that visually impaired people have the right to carry guide dogs with them in carriages.

However, such passengers have no restrictions regarding the class of carriage.

The dog must be muzzled, sit in a collar, and also be located at the feet of its owner or accompanying person.

At the same time, no money is charged for the transportation of a guide dog, and no documents for transportation are issued.

Condition of the cat after transportation

After the move, the animal, of course, continues to experience stress. This happens not only because of the transportation itself, but also because the animal ends up in a completely new place for it, in a new apartment.

Basically, the behavior of the animal is as follows:

refusal to eat for several days (1-3 days);
refusal to go to the toilet (up to 24 hours after moving);
the animal does not make contact with the owner, hides under the sofa or in another secluded place.

After 2-3 days, this condition passes and the cat begins to behave as usual. After a week, Mars had already completely settled down - his appetite returned, he began to go to the litter box and behave like the master of the house.

How much does a train ticket cost for an animal?

Clause 124 of Chapter XIV of Order No. 473 states that the cost of transporting small as well as large animals and birds on commuter trains should not exceed 25% of the cost of travel for the pet owner (adult passenger) on the same route.

By the way, you can buy an “animal” ticket on the Russian Railways website – www.rzd.ru.

Having issued and paid for a ticket online, a person receives a special coupon, which he must present to the conductor in printed form when he boards the carriage.

Tariffs for transporting animals by rail depend on the tariff zone number and distance . So, in 2021, the minimum price for transporting an animal is 258 rubles, and the maximum is about 3 thousand rubles (for a distance of about 13 thousand km).

In which carriages can you travel with small pets?

If we are talking about small pets that are planned to be transported in the train carriage of JSC FPC, then transportation is permitted in the following cases:

In luxury cars of class A1, 1I, 1M – free of charge.
In “SV” cars – free of charge, if the car class is 1E “Strizh”, 1B; free of charge when purchasing the entire compartment, if we are talking about car class 1E, 1U, 1L.
In “Coupe” carriages – free of charge, subject to the purchase of the entire compartment, if the carriage class is 2E, “B”; paid without purchasing a compartment, if we are talking about the car class 2K, 2U, 2L.
In “Reserve Carriage” cars – for a fee if the car class is 3D, 3U.
In carriages with seats - can be transported free of charge if the passenger has chosen carriage class 1B; Transportation of an animal is allowed for a fee if the owner has booked carriage class 2B, 3Zh.
In general carriages, you can transport an animal for a fee without purchasing seats, if we are talking about the 3O carriage class.

But there are carriages in which it is prohibited to transport small pets:

type “SV”, car class 1D;
type “Coupe”, car class 2D;
"Reserved reserved seat" type, car class 3E, 3T, 3L, 3P;
carriages with seats of class 1P, 2P, 3P (based on compartments) 1C, 2C, 2E, 2M, 3C;
general carriage of class 3B.

In which carriages can large pets (dogs) be transported?

Large dogs cannot be traveled on all Russian Railways JSC FPC trains, but only in the following categories:

In the “SV” class, the car is 1B, as well as 1E, 1U, 1L - subject to the purchase of the entire compartment.
In a compartment car of class 2E, 2B, 2K, 2U, 2L - when purchasing the entire compartment.

It is prohibited to transport large dogs in the following carriages of JSC FPC:

"Lux" class carriage 1A, 1I, 1M;
car "SV" class 1E "Strizh", 1D;
2D class compartment car;
reserved seat;
carriages with seats;
general carriages.

Conditions for transporting animals on trains of the carrier TKS JSC

has developed its own rules for transporting animals on trains:

In a sleeping passenger car of class “SV” of service type 1B Business TK, it is allowed to transport no more than 2 small animals or birds in one container or no more than 1 large dog, subject to the purchase of all compartment seats. There is no charge for animals.
In a compartment carriage of class 2 U Comfort, it is allowed to transfer no more than 2 small animals or birds to 1 seat. In this case, a fee will be charged for animals. Large dogs can be transported in a separate compartment with full payment for all seats in the compartment.
In a 2L class Coupe carriage, no more than 1 seat is allowed per 1 travel document. There is a fee for transporting small animals. And for the transportation of large dogs, payment is at full price. In this case, the dog owner must buy all the seats in the compartment.

The carrier TKS JSC has prohibited the carriage of animals in compartment cars of class 2T Economy TK, as well as in reserved seat cars of class 3 U Standard. Large dogs are allowed on other trains.

In this case, the owner or accompanying person must travel with the animal in a separate compartment of the compartment car, and he must purchase all the seats in the compartment. The only exceptions are carriages with an increased level of comfort.

Is it possible to transport wild animals on a train?

Yes, you can, but only in the luggage compartment . This procedure is regulated by Chapter XVI of Order No. 473 “Transportation of dogs, birds and bees as baggage.”

It is prohibited to transport wild animals in a passenger carriage, but this rule does not apply to a baggage carriage. At the same time, responsibility for the life and health of such animals lies entirely with their owner.

Neither the carrier nor other train employees are responsible for the life and health of animals transported on the train.

To ensure that your planned train journey with your beloved pet is not overshadowed by anything, you must know about all the rules for transporting animals.

If you want to transport a large dog, keep in mind that you will have to buy the entire compartment. If you are planning to travel with a cat or parrot, then you definitely need to put the animal (bird) in a container (cage).

At the same time, according to the updated rules of internal railway transportation in the Russian Federation, now animal owners do not need to take documents for the animal with them.

Useful tips for dog travelers

To ensure your rail tour with your long-eared companion is as hassle-free as possible, we recommend:

When purchasing a ticket, immediately clarify the possibility and conditions of transporting the dog. When ordering online, the car you need will be marked with a paw print or the letter “F”.
Take with you a printout of the rules from the carrier’s official page in case someone asks for veterinary certificates.
If there is at least some opportunity to live without neighbors, it is worth taking advantage of it.
Don't skimp on a good-quality carrier with a retractable tray and good ventilation, as well as absorbent bedding.
Bring your favorite toy and a mild sedative in case of excessive excitement from the new environment.
Walk your friend thoroughly before boarding, get off at each stop.

Don't forget about the standard set of everything you need to transport your dog on the train. This includes dry food, a bowl, a drinking bowl, a supply of wet wipes and hygiene bags for the toilet. Each owner has his own version of the “must have” list, of course.

Sleeper rails are not as scary as inexperienced ladies with dogs talk about them. To be prepared for difficulties, you need to know about them at a minimum.

And now you know everything about how to transport a dog on a train without problems. Travel wisely, conquer new spaces with your most loyal friends!

We recommend reading the article on our website - how to travel with animals: everything an owner needs to know