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Are dogs allowed in Rental Cars? Pet Friendly Car Hire

Are you planning a holiday or long trip? Then you’ll want to make sure you can bring your pet along for the ride too. At Rhino Car Hire we understand that your pet is part of the family and will therefore be joining you on your travels. The majority of UK car hire agents in the UK will allow pets in their vehicles, as long as you adhere to their terms and conditions, largely related to keeping the car clean and looked after. For the majority of responsible pet owners this is not a problem.

are dogs allowed in hire cars

Often the car hire agents that do allow pets in their hire cars rarely advertise the fact so it can be hard to find the information you are after. The best advice is, when making your booking to check with the specific agent’s terms and conditions. The main concern a rental agent will have is in relation to the cleanliness of the car and an additional valeting fee could be applied if the car requires more than a reasonable amount of cleaning after your rental. Be aware that if your dog, or any pet, caused unreasonable damage to your hire vehicle then an excess would need to be paid and you would be liable for any costs to repair the car. With that in mind we have compiled some top tips to help look after your vehicle when travelling with a pet.

What do the car rental agents terms and conditions say?

We've looked at the leading UK rental agents terms and conditions* with regards to travelling with pets in rentals cars for your convenience. We advise you check the latest terms and conditions at time of booking to ensure the information is still accurate or contact us in advance and we would gladly check on your behalf; All of the following rental agents are present at major locations such as car hire at Heathrow Airport and other international airports, however may not all be present at local rental locations across the UK.
 

Alamo Pet Policy

When you rent in the USA and Canada, pets are allowed in Alamo's rental vehicles. To avoid any potential cleaning fees, you need to keep your pets crated and return your rental vehicle in clean condition and free of pet hair. Service animals such as guide dogs are allowed in the vehicle without a carrier.


Avis Pet Policy

Pets are allowed in our cars but if a vehicle is returned with a messy interior beyond normal levels of wear and tear, it will need valeting so a cleaning charge will be added. This charge varies by location. Your hire station will give you the exact figure. Or call our reservations team. Don’t forget to review the terms and conditions when you book, which include everything you need to know ahead of your journey.


Budget Pet Policy

Housebroken pets are invited to travel in your rental car, just as they do in your personal car. Although Budget doesn't assess an extra fee for pets, pet owners will incur an additional charge for any damage caused by animals, or any special cleaning required as a result of shedding or accidents.


Dollar Pet Policy

No specific terms available, enquire for further information.


Easirent Pet Policy

You are permitted to have pets in your hire vehicle provided they are within a carrier at all times. If the vehicle requires cleaning of pet hair or odour, then you will be billed for a valeting fee at the branch discretion.


Enterprise Pet Policy

Pets are allowed in rental vehicles. Customers need to keep pets crated and return their rental car in clean condition and free of pet hair to avoid cleaning/detailing fees. Service animals used by customers with disabilities are allowed in the vehicle without a carrier.


Europcar Pet Policy

You undertake to use the Vehicle in a responsible manner and in particular, only for the purposes for which it is intended. For a car, this means primarily carrying passengers other than for hire and reward. In particular, you must not use the Vehicle under any of the following conditions or for any of the following purposes: Transportation of live animals (with the exception of domestic pets, subject to prior authorisation by Europcar)


Green Motion Pet Policy

We request no animals are transported in our vehicles unless contained. A valeting fee may be applied to rectify any soiling due to animal transportation.


Hertz Pet Policy

The transportation of pets is prohibited without prior authorisation from the location. Pet seat cover can be requested for rent with an additional fee. Carrying pets can cause severe allergic reactions. Failure to comply with this rule can result in an additional cleaning charge. This equipment cannot be booked via the internet. For additional information and/or booking, please contact your Reservation Centre


Inter Rent Pet Policy

We do not allow any animals other than assistance dogs (‘ Assistance Dogs‘) to be transported in our Vehicles. We do not supply dog guards or any other form of animal restraint for our Vehicles. If you are travelling with an Assistance Dog you are therefore responsible at all times for its behaviour, safety and well-being. This responsibility includes ensuring that the Assistance Dog is suitably restrained at all times so that it remains safe and does not distract the Driver or cause risk or injury to you or any other passengers sharing the Vehicle with you. We do not under any circumstances accept liability for damage suffered by the Vehicle or for injury caused to the Assistance Dog or to you or the Driver or to any passengers as a result of your failure to keep the Assistance Dog appropriately restrained and/or controlled. In addition you are required to return the Vehicle to us in the same condition as it was at the start of the Hire Period (fair wear and tear excepted). If it is returned to us in a dirty or messy and/or damaged condition to the extent that it will require specialist cleaning and/or repair before it can be rented to the next customer then you will be liable for the Special Cleaning/Valet Charge


Keddy Pet Policy

As per Europcar (parent company)


Sixt Pet Policy

For when you are going on holiday or a long trip, Sixt allows you to bring along any pets in your hire car so that they don't get left behind. As long as you maintain the cleanliness of your rental car and clean up any mess, Sixt is more than happy to welcome you and your pets. Whether you are taking your dogs on a fun trip, your cat to the vet or any other domestic pet on a journey, pet friendly Sixt rent a car will make sure that all your four-legged friends get there safely.  

*(all information correct as of February 2019)


Dog-friendly car rental in the USA

If you’re planning to take your dog, or any other pet in a rental car in the US, we've reached out to all the main rental agents and here you’ll find the terms and conditions for each to see who are the most dog-friendly car rental agents;
 
Rental Agent
Dog-friendly
Terms
Alamo
n/a
No information available, contact rental agent directly
Avis
YES
Just keep in mind to try to return the car in the same condition you receive it. We do charge for excessive pet hair left in a vehicle, and this can go up to $250
Budget
NO
No pets are in our vehicles due to allergies of other renters
Dollar
YES
You can take a pet in the vehicle, however, pet hair and other similar impurities require more time and detail to remove. In such instances, Dollar will assess a cleaning fee
Enterprise
YES
Pets are allowed in rental vehicles. Customers need to keep pets crated and return their rental car in clean condition and free of pet hair to avoid cleaning/detailing fees. Service animals used by customers with disabilities are allowed in the vehicle without a carrier
Europcar
NO
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed within our vehicles
Hertz 
NO
Not allowed in any Hertz rental car
National
YES
Pets are allowed in rental vehicles. Customers need to keep pets crated and return their rental car in clean condition and free of pet hair to avoid cleaning/detailing fees. Service animals used by customers with disabilities are allowed in the vehicle without a carrier.
Sixt
YES
Please keep in mind, that many people use our vehicles and there may be customers after you that may be allergic to animal hair. We ask that the vehicles be returned as clean as possible in order to prevent potential fees for detailing
Thrifty
YES
You can take a pet in the vehicle, however, pet hair and other similar impurities require more time and detail to remove. In such instances, we will assess a cleaning fee
 

Can I leave a dog in a car?

Despite awareness campaigns from animal groups, too many dogs are still dying hot cars as people just don't understand the risks. Temperatures inside a car, even with the window partially open can rise by as much as 40% in just 10 minutes and a dog left in a car will overheat very quickly, putting it at high risk of heat stroke which is often fatal in dogs. You should never leave a dog in a car whether your own car or a rental. If you see a dog in a car in warm weather you should call the police, don't smash the window yourself as you'll likely land yourself in hot water. The police will attend and free the dog and the owner can expect a presecution.

dog in a hot car

This is the only type of hotdog we want to see in a car...

hot dog in a car

Top tips for looking after your rental car when travelling with a pet:
  • Use a seat protector, or a blanket, to stop excess dog hair getting over the seats.
  • Be careful when getting the dog in and out of the vehicle to avoid damaging the paintwork
  • Make sure your dog is carefully strapped in a safe position in the boot, or a crate. Smaller pets should also be placed in a suitable transportation box.
  • Thoroughly vacuum the car after use
  • Ensure the car smells fresh for the next user.
The best advice is to treat your rental car as you would your own new car and take care when travelling with your pets. 

At Rhino we offer a wide selection of pet friendly vehicles, including a range of SUVs, people carriers and minibuses and for the smaller pets our economy and compact cars should suit your needs.
Chloe Demaret
Posted: May 10, 2017 by Chloe Demaret
About the Author -

Travel writer, social media guru, Chloe keeps our readers and customers up to speed with all the car rental and travel trends on our blog. Favourite destination: Dubai.

Last updated: Friday, November 8, 2019
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