Tauranga pet owners can now bring their furry friends along for the ride with Uber Pet.

Uber Pet officially launched in the city today, after success in other cities.

Kiwis and their four-legged friends can go out and about more than ever in Tauranga, Napier-Hastings, Christchurch, Queenstown, Palmerston North, Dunedin, New Plymouth, Hamilton, Whanganui, Nelson and Timaru.

“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,” an Uber spokesperson said.

“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.”

The festive season has often sparked a surge in pet travel.

Uber said 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 had 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, and Saturday is the busiest day for Uber Pet usage.

How Uber Pet works

Uber Pet is now available in all cities where Uber operates, as a separate product within 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, the full amount going 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 permitted to accompany their owners everywhere.

-Supplied content