Breakdown recovery and dogs

helmarpop replied on 27/02/2020 08:51

helmarpop

Posted on 27/02/2020 08:51

As recovery services no longer accept pets in the cabs I would be grateful if people could let me know alternative ideas for getting their pooches home in the event of a breakdown.

Been with Mayday for years and we did check that they were dog friendly but it seems this has changed in recent years as we recently found out the hard way. Fortunately we were near enough home to get a relative to come out and take our dog home.

I sincerely hope we don't need recovery services in the future but I would like to ensure that I can keep my pet safe. I do not consider being placed in a overheating vehicle on the back of a recovery vehicle in summer, possibly for hours, to be acceptable. Welfare issues aside I daren't even ask what you would be expected to do with your pet if, god forbid, your vehicle was involved in an accident.

Any ideas/suggestions anyone?

39 replies

replied on 03/03/2020 23:34

Posted on 28/02/2020 15:34 by helmarpop

Would go the hire car route if it was possibe but apparently hire cars don't allow dogs either. Trains do, coaches don't, some buses do, most taxis don't.

Posted on 03/03/2020 23:34

A number do. https://www.sixt.co.uk/pet-car-hire/

There are others https://www.pbspettravel.co.uk/blog/pet-friendly-car-rental-uk/

When I had dogs there would always have been me, my wife and at least one daughter and one dog. In case of difficulty I would have gone for or called for a hire car whilst they stayed with the dog. I would not have discussed with the hire company. Different solo.

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helmarpop replied on 04/03/2020 09:03

Member

helmarpop

Posted on 28/02/2020 20:40 by eurortraveller

I daren't suggest putting your dog in kennels - there would be uproar - so it looks as though you and he/she just stay put in your caravan on a nearby site for a few days while a garage fixes your car breakdown. I have sat it out for four days in that situation at Sallanches in the French Alps and we don't even have a dog. No need to cry Take me home, take me home. Just get the problem fixed.

Posted on 04/03/2020 09:03

Can't do that in our motorhome

Navigateur replied on 04/03/2020 09:16

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Navigateur

Caravanner

Posted on 04/03/2020 09:16

How about puting the dog(s) into kennels local to the breakdown and coming back for them later? Would mean an extra loop in the journey for the transporter, so it would be an extra cost option in the Mayday/Whatever insurance policy. With the number of dogs that are associated with caravanning it could be a good selling point.

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helmarpop replied on 04/03/2020 09:19

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helmarpop

Posted on 03/03/2020 23:34 by

A number do. https://www.sixt.co.uk/pet-car-hire/

There are others https://www.pbspettravel.co.uk/blog/pet-friendly-car-rental-uk/

When I had dogs there would always have been me, my wife and at least one daughter and one dog. In case of difficulty I would have gone for or called for a hire car whilst they stayed with the dog. I would not have discussed with the hire company. Different solo.

Posted on 04/03/2020 09:19

That's viable, I'll save sixt in my phone and hopefully never need it.

I have checked with Enterprise and they told me no dogs so will have to check out some of the others.

Motorway breakdown still potentially a problem so I'll have to keep looking.

Thank you x

helmarpop replied on 04/03/2020 09:32

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helmarpop

Posted on 04/03/2020 09:16 by Navigateur

How about puting the dog(s) into kennels local to the breakdown and coming back for them later? Would mean an extra loop in the journey for the transporter, so it would be an extra cost option in the Mayday/Whatever insurance policy. With the number of dogs that are associated with caravanning it could be a good selling point.

Posted on 04/03/2020 09:32

A viable solution in some cases.

I think most people don't know that their pets aren't covered and unfortunately it's too late when they find out.

I certainly wouldn't mind paying a premium to keep my dog safe, I'm sure there is an opening here for somebody.

Thank you

Tinwheeler replied on 04/03/2020 09:35

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 04/03/2020 09:19 by helmarpop

That's viable, I'll save sixt in my phone and hopefully never need it.

I have checked with Enterprise and they told me no dogs so will have to check out some of the others.

Motorway breakdown still potentially a problem so I'll have to keep looking.

Thank you x

Posted on 04/03/2020 09:35

When did Enterprise change their ways regarding dogs?

Navigateur replied on 04/03/2020 10:49

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Navigateur

Caravanner

Posted on 04/03/2020 09:35 by Tinwheeler

When did Enterprise change their ways regarding dogs?

Posted on 04/03/2020 10:49

Probably about the same time organisations started banning peanuts in public areas - and for the same reasons.

Takethedogalong replied on 04/03/2020 11:15

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Takethedogalong

Posted on 04/03/2020 11:15

Yep, some of it is to do with allergies, but a lot is to do with idleness on the part of recovery vehicle owners as well. Bit like the big coach tour firms that have swish onboard toilets. Drivers can’t be @rsed to clean them out, so they ban use. Some dog owners don’t help by having badly behaved noisy and nasty animals that no one would want to accommodate but that’s for another thread.........

Vanbirds68 replied on 04/03/2020 16:46

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Vanbirds68

Caravanner

Posted on 04/03/2020 09:32 by helmarpop

A viable solution in some cases.

I think most people don't know that their pets aren't covered and unfortunately it's too late when they find out.

I certainly wouldn't mind paying a premium to keep my dog safe, I'm sure there is an opening here for somebody.

Thank you

Posted on 04/03/2020 16:46

See my post of last night - the AA will take a dog in their cabs. With the AA it’s the member that’s covered, not the vehicle. My dog is part of me so goes where I go 🤣

helmarpop replied on 06/03/2020 08:42

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helmarpop

Posted on 04/03/2020 16:46 by Vanbirds68

See my post of last night - the AA will take a dog in their cabs. With the AA it’s the member that’s covered, not the vehicle. My dog is part of me so goes where I go 🤣

Posted on 06/03/2020 08:42

AA quote:

Service dogs are always allowed.
Some patrols welcome other animals at their discretion, but you may have to arrange separate transportation.

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