Need to visit relatives' house for a few days. But there's a beloved pet at home. It's not that there are no options at all. There are quite a few creches in the city to take care of pets. But there's absolutely no desire to leave the pet at those creches.
First, it costs one and a half to two and a half thousand rupees per day. On top of that, even after paying money, there are doubts about how many places provide proper care. Pets can be taken in the brake van of long-distance trains, but there's no opportunity to see them before the train stops. The helpless animal also faces considerable stress in an unfamiliar environment.
Almost everyone who has pets at home faces such problems when going on trips for a few days. Keeping this in mind, Indian Railways has arranged for ‘pet boxes’ in the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express.
Necessary arrangements before using the pet box
As a result, your beloved pet can travel with you on the Vande Bharat Sleeper. In the type of long-distance trains that have been running in the country so far, there used to be a brake van at the very end of the train.
But in the Vande Bharat Sleeper, pet boxes will be placed behind the loco pilot's cabin in the Driving Trailer Coach (DTC). The railway's commercial department says that a separate booking will have to be made from the railway parcel office for this.
A veterinarian's certificate will definitely be required and specific charges will be needed for the pet's travel. However, it will also be ensured that pets are travelling in a safe and well-ventilated place.
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How to arrange pet travel on Vande Bharat Sleeper Express
Railways says a fitness certificate must be collected from a veterinarian 24 to 48 hours before the journey. The certificate must mention that the pet has no infectious diseases. Along with this, vaccination certificates will also be required.
After this, at least three hours before train departure, the passenger must go to the luggage office and submit their ticket, identity card and the veterinarian's certificate. The prescribed luggage charge must be paid. A receipt will be given, which must be shown to the guard.
What the railways say about pet care
According to railway sources, the train manager will be responsible for taking care of the pets. However, the owner will have to arrange food and water for the pet.
If the pet is a dog, it must wear a chain around its neck and a muzzle on its mouth. The pet's owner cannot stay with it overnight. However, they can visit occasionally to check.
Railway officials hope that with this arrangement being introduced in the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, many passengers will travel by train with their pets.
