Travelling with Pets, Service Dogs and Emotional Support Dogs
Pets are not permitted in Terminal buildings. Terminal outside areas, including parking lots, requires that pets be leashed at all times when outside of vehicles. Please note that there are Designated Pet Relief areas at each terminal, please ensure you clean up after your pet.
There are 2 options available for pets onboard the vessel
Service Dogs
During the crossing certified service dogs are allowed in the passenger level salon, cafeteria and outside deck areas.
Service dogs must be accommodated as per the Accessibility Act: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2019-244/index.html If you are travelling with a service dog, this must be noted during the reservation process. The passenger must present documentation confirming that the service dog is certified to the Chief Officer at the time of boarding. This will allow access to the passenger deck salon and outside deck areas. If no documentation is provided the dog will be accommodated as a pet and travel in vehicle or kennels provided.
Emotional Support Dogs
Emotional Support Dogs can be accommodated in passenger level areas provided the following requirements are fulfilled. Persons with Disabilities would have to meet the following conditions for their Emotional Support Dog (ESD) to be accepted in the passenger level accommodations:
The Passenger must provide proof from a physician or medical health professional that they are being treated for a mental health disability and that they require an emotional support dog (ESD) to accommodate that disability
The Passenger must submit, at least 48 hours in advance of travel, a veterinary certificate identifying the dog and the person with a disability. A veterinary certificate must be provided and include the following information:
The information noted above must be forwarded, via email to LMI Operations Manager, [email protected], 48 hours in advance of travel. LMI will review information provided and respond by email with decision as quickly as possible.
An exception to policy may be allowed on occasion if urgently required due to a medical issue, i.e., veterinary services are not readily available in the area we service, and there may be an issue where a pet needs to cross for urgent medical attention and cannot be unattended. A letter from the veterinarian would be required prior to travel outlining the nature of the emergency and that the pet cannot be left unattended. This must be forward via email to LMI Operations Manager, [email protected], as soon the situation is known. If possible arrangements will be made and the ship notified. Should an exemption be granted, the passenger would be required to provide a copy of the letter to the Chief Officer at the time of boarding.
The Canadian Transportation Agency has provided the latest information regarding travel with Service Dogs and Emotional Support Dogs. Click the following link and please review section 5 and 6 so you are familiar with the Government regulations on which the LMI policy is based. Service dogs: A Guide | Canadian Transportation Agency (otc-cta.gc.ca)
If you need clarification of this policy please feel free to contact Dave Leyden, Operations Manager at 709 535 3351 or by email at [email protected]
There are 2 options available for pets onboard the vessel
- The pet can remain in the passenger’s vehicle during the voyage (crossing time is approx 1 ½ hours)
- Pets can be accommodated in kennels provided in heated areas off both car decks. The kennels are available “first-come, first-served”
Service Dogs
During the crossing certified service dogs are allowed in the passenger level salon, cafeteria and outside deck areas.
Service dogs must be accommodated as per the Accessibility Act: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2019-244/index.html If you are travelling with a service dog, this must be noted during the reservation process. The passenger must present documentation confirming that the service dog is certified to the Chief Officer at the time of boarding. This will allow access to the passenger deck salon and outside deck areas. If no documentation is provided the dog will be accommodated as a pet and travel in vehicle or kennels provided.
Emotional Support Dogs
Emotional Support Dogs can be accommodated in passenger level areas provided the following requirements are fulfilled. Persons with Disabilities would have to meet the following conditions for their Emotional Support Dog (ESD) to be accepted in the passenger level accommodations:
The Passenger must provide proof from a physician or medical health professional that they are being treated for a mental health disability and that they require an emotional support dog (ESD) to accommodate that disability
The Passenger must submit, at least 48 hours in advance of travel, a veterinary certificate identifying the dog and the person with a disability. A veterinary certificate must be provided and include the following information:
- Identifies the specific ESD by name and breed
- Identifies the person with a disability who relies on that dog as an ESD
- Attests that the ESD is healthy enough to travel; free of any contagious diseases, ticks and fleas; and current on its vaccinations
- States whether the veterinarian has any knowledge of inappropriate behaviour exhibited by the ESD, including aggressive behavior, excessive whining or barking, or causing injury to others. If possible, the veterinary certification should be dated within two months prior to the date of initial travel set out in the itinerary
- The ESD must fit comfortably in an appropriate animal carrier and remain in the carrier for the duration of the voyage
The information noted above must be forwarded, via email to LMI Operations Manager, [email protected], 48 hours in advance of travel. LMI will review information provided and respond by email with decision as quickly as possible.
An exception to policy may be allowed on occasion if urgently required due to a medical issue, i.e., veterinary services are not readily available in the area we service, and there may be an issue where a pet needs to cross for urgent medical attention and cannot be unattended. A letter from the veterinarian would be required prior to travel outlining the nature of the emergency and that the pet cannot be left unattended. This must be forward via email to LMI Operations Manager, [email protected], as soon the situation is known. If possible arrangements will be made and the ship notified. Should an exemption be granted, the passenger would be required to provide a copy of the letter to the Chief Officer at the time of boarding.
The Canadian Transportation Agency has provided the latest information regarding travel with Service Dogs and Emotional Support Dogs. Click the following link and please review section 5 and 6 so you are familiar with the Government regulations on which the LMI policy is based. Service dogs: A Guide | Canadian Transportation Agency (otc-cta.gc.ca)
If you need clarification of this policy please feel free to contact Dave Leyden, Operations Manager at 709 535 3351 or by email at [email protected]