Does Bolt allow pets? The Pet category rules

In its French introduction to Pet, Bolt sets out the following conditions:

• Dogs and cats of all sizes are accepted, with no mandatory crate; other common household pets must travel in a cage.
• One passenger travelling alone may bring up to two small pets. With two or more passengers, only one animal is allowed.
• Tell the driver before departure if you are bringing a large dog.
• The owner must supervise their pet and bring a blanket to protect the seat.
• An assistance animal may accompany its owner in other categories at no additional charge.

Source: Bolt’s official introduction to Pet in France (in French). Read the conditions shown when booking, as services may change.

Drivers choose whether to join the Pet category. This alone tells you nothing about their experience with animals. A private hire company may also provide pet transport: that is exactly what we do.

How do you prepare for a Bolt ride with a pet?

1. Enter your route. Check the available categories after entering your destination. Pet availability must be checked for the journey you want to make.
2. Review the Pet category. Read the conditions, price and estimated wait before confirming.
3. Describe everyone and everything travelling. A message specifying your pet and its size, the number of passengers and your luggage helps establish how much space you need.
4. Prepare your pet’s setup. Keep the lead, harness, carrier and seat cover within reach. If you have a large assembled crate, mention it and give its external dimensions.
5. Locate the meeting point. Outside a station, clinic or terminal, agree on a place where you can wait with your pet and belongings.

What if the Pet option does not appear?

Do not assume another category will automatically meet your needs. Ask for explicit confirmation that your passengers, pet and luggage can be accommodated, and read the cancellation conditions before committing. If you must arrive by a set time, arrange transport with the details agreed in advance.

Taking a cat in Bolt: a hard carrier or a soft bag?

For your feline companion, we recommend a closed, ventilated carrier suited to their size. Even a cat that is calm at home may react to an opening car door, traffic noise or unfamiliar surroundings.

Secure the carrier according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Simply placing a crate on a seat does not hold it in place. Keep your cat inside their carrier while moving around the vehicle and throughout the journey.

We accommodate soft carriers in our pet taxi, Comfort and van categories. Your choice then depends on the full load. A cat travelling in a soft carrier does not, on its own, mean you need a van.

Transporting several cats

A car can accommodate up to four small cat carriers in certain arrangements within our service. We must confirm this using each carrier’s dimensions, the seats needed for passengers and the luggage. Four carriers and three adults do not automatically fit together.

For each cat, specify whether they will travel in a hard carrier or a soft bag. This tells us more than the number of animals alone.

Taking a dog in Bolt: planning a trip with a small or large dog

Describe your dog’s actual size: breed or type, approximate weight and any difficulty getting into a car. A 30 kg dog, a crate and two large suitcases need a different setup from a small dog travelling with one person.

With our service, your dog can travel without a crate when the arrangement allows, using a suitable restraint. Tell us whether you have a car harness or need us to prepare equipment. A blanket protects the seat; it does not secure the animal.

For a large or elderly dog, or one with reduced mobility, also tell us what step-in height they can manage and whether they need assistance. We plan their setup before departure. If your dog falls within a restricted category under French rules, tell us when enquiring and bring their muzzle and documents.

You can plan your journey with our dog transport service, specifying whether your companion will travel with you or in our care without you.

What about rabbits, birds and other small or exotic pets?

Tell us the species and the carrier you will use. Rabbits have different needs from birds or reptiles. We assess each request according to the animal, the route and the transport conditions required. Avoid describing your companion only as a ‘small pet’ when booking.

Bolt Pet or Taxi Animalier Paris: what should you compare?

Your decision depends on the trip you need to arrange. Compare space, pickup arrangements, timing and price for the same passengers, animals and luggage.

Our two activities: private hire and pet transport

At Taxi Animalier Paris, we provide private hire passenger transport, known as VTC in France, as well as pet transport. You can stay with your companion throughout the journey or arrange their trip without accompanying them.

Our work draws on TAV training, the French training for transporting live animals, and our experience of journeys with pets and their owners. We plan a suitable setup for the passengers, animals and belongings travelling together.

This preparation also applies to our private chauffeur service: luggage assistance, airport pickup, a hotel transfer, business travel or a family trip. Explain what you need when enquiring so that we can confirm the services available.

Entrusting us with a pet travelling alone

We can arrange transport without the owner present. We need to know who will hand over the animal, who will receive them, and how to contact both people. We also agree on instructions, the carrier or restraint, and access at the destination.

This option may help with boarding, grooming, a transfer between homes or a vet visit. For a consultation, agree the appointment arrangements and any necessary authorisations with the clinic.

Which vehicle fits your pets, crates and suitcases?

Your pet’s weight is not enough to choose a vehicle. The carrier’s external dimensions and orientation, the boot opening and passenger seating also matter.

A saloon car can take up to three passengers and a van up to six, subject to the space used by pets and their equipment. These capacities do not automatically leave room for a large crate or bulky luggage.

The key question: will your crate travel assembled or dismantled? An assembled XL crate may need a van, while its two nested halves may sometimes fit in a car. In the second case, a separate suitable arrangement is needed for the animal.

For IATA crates, send the brand, model and measurements. An XL or XXL label is not enough because dimensions vary by manufacturer. If you need us to supply a crate, tell us when booking.

Airports, stations, vets and long distances: what to plan ahead

How much does it cost to transport a dog or cat?

For Bolt, check the fare and any charges shown for your route. A price quoted elsewhere, for a different city or date, does not establish the cost of your trip. Cleaning conditions are also separate from the fare: damage or soiling requiring cleaning may result in additional charges.

At Taxi Animalier Paris, prices depend on factors including the addresses, time, vehicle, animals and options. Mention any waiting time, extra stop, special welcome or additional assistance so that your quote reflects the service requested.

See our pet taxi prices and fare calculator. For a large crate, several animals or an unusual load, also send the details to our team so we can confirm the vehicle.

To compare two offers, use exactly the same route and requirements. Ask what is included and when the price could change, particularly if you alter the route or add waiting time.

What we need to arrange your booking

• Date, time and exact pickup and destination addresses.
• Number of passengers, including children’s ages if an appropriate child seat is needed.
• Number of animals, species, breed or type, and approximate weight.
• Hard crate or soft carrier: dimensions, assembled or dismantled, and any equipment we need to supply.
• Number of checked suitcases, cabin bags and bulky items.
• Flight, terminal or train details for the relevant transfers.
• Assistance requested, any waiting time and the return journey.
• First name, surname, telephone number and email address.

For an animal travelling alone, add the contact details of the people at pickup and destination. Ideally, book at least twelve hours in advance. We assess shorter-notice requests according to availability.

Frequently asked questions about Bolt and pet transport