Pet Taxi Manchester – Pet-Friendly Rides to the Vet, Kennels & Airport

RideX Taxis provides a pet taxi service across Manchester for dogs, cats, rabbits and other small pets. Whether you are taking your dog to the vet, dropping your pet at kennels before a holiday, moving house, or flying out of Manchester Airport with your pet, we assign a driver who is happy to travel with animals and a vehicle with enough room for your pet and your luggage.

Every pet journey is a fixed fare plus a flat £10 pet fee, with no surge pricing. Small and medium dogs up to 25kg travel in our standard cars, larger breeds such as Labradors and German Shepherds travel in a 7 seater MPV, and cats must always travel in a secure carrier. Because not every driver can carry animals, please book at least 24 hours ahead and tell us your pet’s type and size when you book.

We have completed more than 1,500 pet-friendly journeys since 2018 and are a fully licensed private hire operator (Wolverhampton Council, licence PHOP445).

Book your pet taxi: Call +44 161 507 6677 or WhatsApp us

Pet Taxi Manchester: Quick Overview

Why You Must Mention Your Pet When Booking

We have been doing pet-friendly transfers since 2018, and here is something most taxi companies won’t tell you: not all of our drivers are comfortable with pets. Some have allergies. Some simply prefer not to have animals in their car.

This is why you must mention your pet when booking. If a driver arrives without knowing a dog is coming, it is unfair on the driver and puts everyone in an awkward position.

When you call and say, “I need an airport transfer on Saturday at 5am and I’m bringing my cocker spaniel,” we assign a driver who is happy with dogs. Problem solved, and everyone is prepared.

Over the years we have completed between 1,500 and 2,000 pet transfers. Dogs going to kennels while their owners are on holiday. Cats going to vet appointments. Families moving house with their pets. People relocating abroad with their animals. We even took a pet rabbit to the airport when its owner was moving to France.

Call +44 161 507 6677 to book a pet-friendly taxi (please mention your pet’s type and size).

Pet Taxi for Vet and Kennel Trips in Manchester

Not every pet journey is to the airport. Most of the local pet taxi trips we do across Manchester are to vets, specialist animal clinics and kennels.

Vet Appointments

If you don’t drive, or your pet is too anxious or unwell to travel on public transport, we can take you and your pet to and from your vet appointment. Cats and small animals must travel in a secure carrier, and dogs should be on a lead. If your pet is unwell, let us know when booking so the driver can bring towels and drive extra gently.

For urgent vet visits, call us and we will check whether a pet-friendly driver is available. Same-day pet bookings are not always possible, so for a true emergency please also contact your vet about other transport options.

Kennels Before Your Holiday

Many customers book us to drop their dog at kennels before going on holiday, and to collect them afterwards. If you want to drop your pet at kennels on the way to Manchester Airport, mention it when you call so we can quote for the full route.

Moving House With Pets

Moving day is stressful for animals. We can take your pets to your new home separately from the removal van, so they travel in a calm, secure vehicle. Tell us how many pets you have and whether they travel in carriers so we can send the right vehicle.

What Pets Can Travel in Our Pet Taxi

Here is exactly what works and what doesn’t.

Dogs: Small dogs such as terriers, pugs and cocker spaniels are absolutely fine. Medium dogs such as border collies and beagles fit in most vehicles. Large dogs such as Labradors and German Shepherds need an MPV for space. Giant breeds such as Great Danes may not fit comfortably even in an MPV.

Cats: Must be in a carrier, with no exceptions. Cats get stressed in cars and can panic, and a loose cat in a moving vehicle is dangerous for everyone. A carrier keeps your cat safe and contained.

Other Animals: Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and small birds are all fine in secure carriers or cages. For anything exotic or unusual, please call us first.

To see the vehicles we use, visit our fleet page.

Booking Timeline and Vehicle Assignment

Minimum 24 Hours Notice: We need time to assign a pet-friendly driver. Not all of our drivers accept pets, as some have allergies to dogs or cats and some prefer not to carry animals. That is their choice, and we respect it.

Same-Day Pet Bookings: Very unlikely. By the time you call, our pet-friendly drivers may already be allocated to other jobs.

What We Need to Know:

• Pet type (dog, cat, rabbit, etc.)
• Approximate size and weight
• Whether your pet will be in a carrier
• Any behaviour issues
• Whether your pet sheds heavily

Real Pet Journeys We Have Handled

Family Moving to Spain

A family of four and their cocker spaniel needed to get to Manchester Airport for a permanent move to Spain. The dog was flying as airline pet cargo, and the family had a carrier and all the paperwork sorted. We sent an MPV because four people, their luggage and a dog carrier needed the space. The dog was nervous but fine. The £10 pet fee covered a light hair clean-up afterwards. Straightforward.

Cat to an Emergency Vet

A customer’s cat was injured and needed to reach a specialist vet clinic. The cat was in a carrier but very distressed, and cried throughout the 20 minute journey, which upset the owner. We got them there safely with no mess. A stressful situation, but we were glad to help.

The Large Dog That Didn’t Fit

A customer booked an airport transfer for a “medium dog”, so we assigned a saloon. When the driver arrived, the dog turned out to be a 35kg Labrador that didn’t fit comfortably. We had to send an MPV instead, which caused a 20 minute delay. This is why accurate pet size matters when you book.

Airport Pet Rules You Need to Know

We get you and your pet to the airport, but airports and airlines have their own rules.

Check-In: Most pets flying need to check in at a special desk or cargo area, not standard passenger check-in. Research this before you arrive.

Carrier Specifications: Airlines have specific carrier size and type requirements. Make sure your carrier meets airline rules, not just that it fits in our taxi.

Documentation: International pet travel requires vet certificates, pet passports and import permits. Make sure these are sorted before you arrive at the airport.

Time Buffer: Pet check-in takes longer than passenger check-in. The standard two hours before your flight may not be enough when travelling with a pet.

Pet Taxi FAQs

Do you charge extra for pets in a taxi?

Yes, there is a £10 pet fee per journey on top of the standard fixed fare. For example, Manchester city centre to the airport costs the normal fixed rate plus £10. The fee covers the extra cleaning needed after a pet journey, as hair and dander must be removed for the next passengers. If your pet is sick or has a toilet accident, an additional £50 cleaning fee applies. Most pet journeys have no issues beyond the standard £10 fee.

Can you take my pet to the vet in Manchester?

Yes. We regularly take dogs, cats and small pets to vet appointments and specialist clinics across Manchester. Book at least 24 hours ahead where possible and tell us your pet’s type and size. Cats and small animals must travel in a secure carrier. For urgent trips, call us and we will check whether a pet-friendly driver is available.

Do cats need to be in carriers in a taxi?

Yes, cats must be in a secure carrier with no exceptions. Cats panic easily in unfamiliar situations and a loose cat can distract the driver or escape when the doors open. Cardboard boxes are not suitable. Use a hard plastic or fabric carrier with a secure door.

Can large dogs travel in a regular taxi?

It depends on size. Small dogs (under 10kg) and medium dogs (10–25kg) fit in most vehicles. Large dogs (25kg+) need an MPV, and giant breeds such as Great Danes or Mastiffs may not fit comfortably even in an MPV. Tell us your dog’s breed and approximate weight when booking so we can send the right vehicle.

How far in advance should I book a pet-friendly taxi?

At least 24 hours ahead, because not all of our drivers accept pets and we need time to assign one who does. 48 hours’ notice is better, especially for weekends and early morning journeys. Same-day pet bookings are rarely possible.

What happens if my dog sheds a lot or is muddy?

The standard £10 pet fee covers normal shedding and cleaning. If your dog is very muddy, for example after a walk in the rain, please bring a towel or blanket for them to sit on. Heavy shedding breeds such as huskies and golden retrievers are welcome, just mention the breed when booking so the driver can prepare.

Can I bring a pet on an early morning airport transfer?

Yes, but we need at least 48 hours’ notice. Early morning journeys (4am to 6am) are already in high demand, and not every early morning driver accepts pets. Tell us about your pet when booking so we can assign a driver who is both available and pet-friendly.