After thousands of rides (and treats) in cities including Auckland and Wellington, Uber Pet is officially launching nationwide – just in time for the busy holiday season, when Kiwis (and their four-legged friends) are out and about more than ever.

Whether it’s a last-minute dash to the vet, a trip to the dog park, or visiting friends and family for Christmas, travelling with your furry family members is now easier than ever. From Whangārei in the north to Invercargill in the south, and all the major centres in between, Uber Pet is now available in every city where Uber operates across Aotearoa.

Riders can simply select Uber Pet in the app to match with a driver-partner who’s opted-in to have your pets onboard. Allowing riders peace of mind that their driver is cool with cats, and down with dogs, while driver-partners earn a little extra per trip for lending a helping paw.

The festive season often sparks a surge in pet travel. In New Zealand last year, Christmas Day was the biggest day of the year for Uber Pet, with more than double the number of trips compared to the second-busiest day, New Year’s Eve. One dedicated Auckland rider has taken more than 200 Uber Pet trips in 12 months, proving Kiwis truly go the extra mile for their furry companions.

Across the country, the most common Uber Pet drop-off locations include dog parks, vet clinics and animal hospitals, and in Auckland, the downtown ferry terminal – hinting that plenty of pets are joining their humans for weekend escapes and summer trips away. Rides typically peak between 2pm and 5pm, with Saturday the busiest day for Uber Pet usage.

How Uber Pet works

  • Uber Pet is now available in all cities that Uber operates in as a separate product in the Uber app. 
  • Simply request the Uber Pet product to be matched with a driver-partner who is eligible and willing to transport you and your furry family member.
  • A flat surcharge of $5 applies, 100% of which goes to the driver-partner.
  • If you’re travelling with a service animal, you should continue to select your regular Uber option. Assistance animals are legally allowed to go everywhere their owner goes.

New locations now offering Uber Pet: 

  • Tauranga
  • Napier-Hastings
  • Christchurch
  • Queenstown
  • Palmerston North
  • Dunedin
  • New Plymouth
  • Hamilton 
  • Whanganui
  • Nelson
  • Timaru