How to use a pet taxi for vet visits and moving? [Togatsu Pet Taxi]

Hello, I'm Kuriyama from Poponeko.

There are surprisingly many occasions when we need to go out with our cats, aren't there? Trips to the vet, pet salons, pet hotels, going home to visit family, moving house... and so on. Many cat owners seem to find it difficult to transport their cats in carriers or carry cases.

It's great if you have your own car, but if not, you might ask an acquaintance to drive you, or use public transportation. There are also concerns about being exhausted from worrying about meows, smells, and shedding.

To solve such problems, the service called pet taxi was born. We spoke to Mr. Otani from "Tokatsu Pet Taxi" about what a pet taxi service is and how it can be used.

What is a pet taxi?

Kuriyama:
You operate a dedicated pet taxi service. Can pet owners ride along with their pets in a pet taxi? Or is it only for transporting pets?

Mr. Otani:
We do offer transportation for pets only. However, most of the time, owners ride along as well.

Kuriyama:
What are the reasons people use pet taxis?

Mr. Otani:
As expected, people without means of transportation use our service when going to the vet, their hometown, or when moving house.

Kuriyama:
Are cats and dogs the most frequent users?

Mr. Otani:
That's right, cats and dogs make up almost 90% of our customers. Perhaps reflecting the recent cat boom, the usage rate for cats is now about the same as for dogs. We've even transported a pygmy goat that was kept as a pet.

Kuriyama:
A pygmy goat! So, if it's a pet, even large dogs are okay?

Mr. Otani:
Yes, as long as it's within the car's loading capacity. We ensure there's enough space in the car for large dogs to relax, and we can also load extra-large crates.

Kuriyama:
That's reassuring for multi-pet households!

▲Owners can hold their pets while riding. The car interior is always clean.

▲Spacious rear area. Designed to be safe even if there are accidents.

Can I use a pet taxi on the same day? What about long distances?

 Kuriyama:

Pet taxis are very convenient, but do they require advance reservations?

Mr. Otani:
Please make a reservation by phone or email. We have bases in Kashiwa City, Adachi Ward, Itabashi Ward, Setagaya Ward, and Ota Ward, so please contact the nearest office. Depending on the situation, same-day reservations may be possible.

Kuriyama:
What is the service area?

Mr. Otani:
Our service area covers all of Japan, excluding remote islands. We can provide transportation not only for nearby outings but also for medium and long distances. You can use it for one-way trips or round trips.

Kuriyama:
That's amazing! It's helpful when you need to move with your pet for a house move or to visit family. It's tough to carry a pet carrier on a crowded Shinkansen.

▲Clear pricing. There are also long-distance discount plans for long waiting times or distant locations.

Comfortable travel with your pet

Kuriyama:
Are there any preparations pet owners need to make when using a pet taxi?

Mr. Otani:
Perhaps to ensure they urinate and defecate thoroughly before getting in the car. The car is designed to be okay even if accidents happen, but some pets can get nervous. Also, for long-distance or time-consuming trips, we recommend bringing a cat litter box.

Kuriyama:
Many owners are concerned about their pets escaping during travel. What precautions should they take?

Mr. Otani:
For dogs, we ask owners to use both a collar with a leash and a harness. For cats, we ask them to check their crates or carriers used for travel. Sometimes they can be broken or torn.

Kuriyama:
That's right, cats often escape because their carriers are broken. Considering such things, it's more reassuring to leave the transportation to professionals.

Mr. Otani:
We often hear from customers, "You saved the day," and that makes us very happy.



Traveling with pets, not just cats, can be very stressful. In such cases, the existence of pet taxis is incredibly helpful.

In the case of Tokatsu Pet Taxi, there are two ways to use the service: one where the owner rides along to the destination, and another where only the pet is transported. If you regularly take your pet to a pet salon or training class, you can also request transportation for just your pet.

Even small cats can be a challenge to transport in a carrier. When that's the case, don't overexert yourself; consider using a door-to-door pet taxi service!