PSA pet parents, GrabPet is back! Cue a giant sigh of relief. When the special on-demand service paused during the pandemic (and understandably so), we had to temporarily say goodbye to the most convenient way to give our pets a comfortable ride. But those dark times are behind us now. GrabPet’s relaunch means we can bring pets along for the ride – again!

If you’re curious about the experience, I’ve tested the waters. I took my dog Muffin, a five-year-old corgi, on a drive with GrabPet, and here’s what we discovered.

Freedom to go anywhere

GrabPet offers so much freedom and convenience for both fur parents and fur babies. With just a tap of a button, GrabPet helps passengers take their pets with them to various destinations including vet clinics, pet-friendly cafes, malls, and more. No more taking the jeepney and risking stressing your pet out with all the noise and pollution. No more asking your friends for favors or looking for strangers online who are willing to drive you around.

Preparing for the booking

Got a fussy fur baby? No problem! GrabPet makes sure you get to take them everywhere in comfort and style. But, of course, you need to play your part in the experience too. Before booking a GrabPet for Muffin who was due for a vet visit, I had to make sure she met Grab’s conditions. These guidelines are very important as these also help in making sure that Kuya or Ate Grab would be well on their way to their next GrabPet or GrabCar bookings with their vehicles still in pristine condition.

I made sure Muffin was in her diaper and that I had her carrier ready. If you don’t have a carrier, Grab also allows crates!

Easy, breezy booking

The Grab app isn’t called a superapp for nothing. It’s the most reliable one-stop shop where you can order meals, shop, book ride-hailing cars, deliver a package, pay your bills and so much more. Re-adding GrabPet was like finding the last gem to complete the Infinity stones – now we’ve got so much power in the palm of our hands!

Booking for GrabPet is as simple as booking a GrabCar. All I had to do was:

1. Open the app
2. Tap on “Car”
3. Input my location and destination
4. Choose GrabPet in the transport options
5. Book!

Trained driver-partners

It’s awesome that GrabPet drivers have not only undergone comprehensive training to handle pet-related bookings, but they’re also animal lovers themselves. Their spacious six-seater vehicles are purposefully screened before being added to the GrabPet fleet. So when my assigned GrabPet driver arrived at the pinned location, all I had to do was load Muffin’s carrier in the car, and we were off!

What’s allowed?

It’s important to note that Grab requires pets to be accompanied by human passengers all the time. A maximum of four passengers are allowed to ride with the pets. As for the pets, each GrabPet ride will allow rides for 1 large pet or 2 small pets to ensure comfort and safety. Being a medium-sized dog, Muffin enjoyed the car’s spacious interiors.

But what if your pet isn’t a dog or a cat? Don’t worry, GrabPet service can transport other domesticated animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, fish, and turtles. However, pet owners are responsible for putting them in their respective crates, sealed bags, closed fish tanks, and other secure containers.

What’s not allowed?

While Grab would like to transport all sorts of pets, not all can be accommodated. Birds, reptiles, and insect pets are not allowed to avoid stressing them out or injuring them.

Where does GrabPet operate?

GrabPet is only available in Makati, BGC, Shaw-Ortigas, Pasay MOA, NAIA, Malate, Ermita, and San Juan. So if you’re outside these areas, you would still have to ask regular GrabCar drivers if they can accommodate your fur pet.

Now I can take my pet places!

After about half an hour on the road, Muffin and I finally reached her vet in San Juan. Gone are the days when I had to take public transportation to take her to the vet or to hang out at the mall. GrabPet is a comfortable option for fur parents like me to transport our pets through the city. So if you’re a fellow fur parent looking for a pet-friendly ride-hailing service, GrabPet is a great way to go.

For more information on GrabPet, visit your Grab App or the Grab Philippines website.