Pet Taxi in New York: what to know
Book door-to-door rides for vet visits, grooming appointments or airport runs without relying on the subway carrier rule, and follow the ride by GPS in the app.
Getting around New York with a pet
On the subway and city buses, pets generally have to travel in a closed carrier or bag (service animals excepted), which rules out most medium and large dogs. A pet taxi is the easy way to reach a vet across town, a groomer or JFK, LaGuardia or Newark for a flight.
Local rules worth knowing
New York City requires dogs to be licensed with the Department of Health, dogs must be on a lead (no longer than six feet) in public places except in designated off-lead areas and hours, and owners must pick up after their dog.
Before you book
Set exact pickup and drop-off points on the map, mention your pet's size and whether you have a carrier, and say if someone will ride along.
Keep your pet's vaccinations and any local registration up to date and carry the records — providers may ask to see them before the first booking.
Pet Taxi in New York — FAQ
Is pet taxi rides available in New York?
Yes. OnlyPaw is available worldwide, including New York. Because it's a marketplace, the pet taxi drivers you can book depend on who has been approved near your address — the app shows who's available before you pay.
How much does pet taxi rides cost in New York?
Pet taxi drivers in New York set their own prices, so you see each provider's rate in the app before you book. At checkout OnlyPaw adds a service fee of 10% of the service price, with a minimum of USD 2 and a maximum of USD 20 (or the equivalent in your local currency), shown before you pay. Your payment is held and only released to the provider after the service is completed.
How are providers vetted?
Every provider submits a government ID and a selfie, passes a knowledge test with a 70% pass mark and uploads service-specific documents — home photos for sitting and boarding, driving licence and vehicle registration for pet taxi, certificates for grooming and training — before the OnlyPaw team approves them.
Can my dog ride the subway in New York?
Only if it fits in a closed carrier or bag — service animals are the exception. For larger dogs, book a pet taxi in the OnlyPaw app for vet, groomer or airport trips.
What if I need to cancel?
Each provider uses one of three cancellation policies. Under the default moderate policy you get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start, 50% if you cancel at least 2 hours before, and nothing in the last 2 hours. The flexible policy refunds in full up to 2 hours before the start; the strict policy refunds in full from 48 hours and 50% from 24 hours before.
What happens in an emergency?
Every active booking has an SOS button in the app. It alerts the other party and the OnlyPaw team straight away. If your pet needs urgent medical care, contact a vet or emergency clinic first.
