Can Dogs Travel on High-Speed Trains? A Guide!

Dear pet owners, it's important to note that you cannot bring your dogs directly onto highspeed trains. However, there is a convenient pet shipping service available on highspeed trains. Therefore, if you need to travel with your furry friend, you can arrange for pet shipping services based on the distance and specific circumstances. Below, we'll delve into the details of how to ship pets.

How to Ship Dogs on HighSpeed Trains

While dogs are not allowed on public transportation to maintain order and protect the rights of other passengers, visually impaired individuals are permitted to bring guide dogs with them, provided they have the necessary documentation, including their own ID, disability card, and the guide dog's work permit and health certificate. Although dogs cannot travel with their owners on public transport, trains and planes offer pet shipping services. If you're planning a trip with your dog, consider options like car shipping, air shipping, train shipping, or even driving yourself. However, to ship pets by train, certain conditions must be met: the train must have a luggage compartment, and both the departure and destination stations must have a baggage office. Both conditions must be satisfied simultaneously; otherwise, pet shipping is not possible. Additionally, to arrange for pet shipping, you must contact the transportation department in advance and ensure all necessary inspection and quarantine documents are in order.

Documents required for pet shipping include an animal immunization certificate, an animal quarantine certificate, and a proof of cage disinfection. Firstly, pet owners should take their dogs for a rabies vaccination and obtain a vaccination certificate one to two weeks before the trip. If the dog already has a valid vaccination certificate within the past year, a new vaccination is not necessary. However, it's essential to have the dog undergo a physical examination one to two days before the trip to obtain a health certificate. Then, take the health certificate and the dog's cage to the local health supervision department or health quarantine station to obtain the pet quarantine certificate.

Here's a stepbystep guide on shipping dogs by highspeed train: On the day of departure, arrive one to two hours early at the highspeed train station's cargo shipping counter to complete the pet shipping process, including filling out forms, weighing the pet, and paying any fees. Once the procedures are complete, accompany your dog to the cargo carriage and settle it in. Then, return to your own seat to relax. Upon arrival, retrieve your dog using the pickup slip after disembarking. After collecting your dog, keep an eye on its behavior, and if it seems unwell, take it to a veterinary clinic for a checkup and treatment as soon as possible.

Here are some important points to consider when shipping dogs by highspeed train:

Ensure the pet's weight does not exceed 20 kilograms. If the pet is overweight, it cannot be shipped. It's best to call China Railway 12306 or China Railway Express Customer Service (95572) before purchasing tickets to confirm that baggage shipping services are available between your origin and destination cities and whether pet shipping is possible.

The pet's cage should be wellventilated, sturdy, and equipped with sufficient food and water. The bottom of the cage should be lined with absorbent pads to prevent leaks.

For those planning to travel with pets by train or highspeed train, this article provides essential information to help you prepare for your journey. Lastly, a reminder to pet owners: pets may encounter unexpected issues during shipping, especially over long distances. It's crucial to choose the right shipping method based on the travel distance and be mentally prepared for potential mishaps that your dog might face during longdistance shipping.