Where to, Waffles? Pet rides are here, and our furry friends are here for it

Peloton and TikTok aren't the only things that boomed during the pandemic - pets had a moment too. Since 2020, nearly one in five American households adopted an animal, leading to the highest pet ownership rates in history: Today, roughly 60% of American households have a dog, and over 42% of households have a cat.

Among them is Ty Marcell, who got his first pet - Trudy, a teacup Yorkshire terrier - in 2022. "There's nothing like the unconditional love a pet has for you," he says. "I just want to give her the best life I can."

For Ty, that means bringing Trudy with him wherever he goes. "I'm really particular about only doing things that are dog friendly." To help the Trudies of our lives, last August, Lyft launched Pet rides - a feature that allows riders to match with drivers who don't mind (or might even enjoy) a pet traveling with them.

Not only does this help pet owners save on the significant cost of pet day care - which is up to 5% of household income in some cities - it also allows pets and owners to stay together throughout the day.

Dan regularly uses Lyft to get around town with his Yorkshire terrier, Jack. "Jack hasn't left my side since 2022," he says. "He has really bad separation anxiety. And my friends and family say, 'Well, you do too.' "

Dan and Ty are not alone. Today, roughly one out of every thousand Lyft rides includes a pet passenger - here's where they just might be going.

Pets in the west

Pet rides are most popular across five West Coast states: Arizona, Colorado, Washington, California, and Oregon. Olympia, Washington, tops the list; one out of every 280 rides there is a Pet ride. This tracks with other research : Dog owners are most likely to bring their dog on a vacation in Washington and most likely to push their dog in a stroller in California. Portland and Seattle also onthe list of cities with the most "pet friendly spaces."

"Everyone brings their dogs with them," reflects Jeff Whitson, who lives in San Luis Obispo with his golden retriever, Luke. "Your dog is part of your family. And you are not leaving your family behind."

Where - and when - pets are out on the town

Lyft riders take the majority of their Pet rides on weekend afternoons, and unsurprisingly, they're most likely to bring their furry friend to pet businesses, like veterinarians, dog trainers (10% of all rides), and pet stores (3% of all rides). Pets also go camping and to parks, with the top destinations being Mission Dolores Park in San Francisco, Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and Dog PPL, a private social club in Los Angeles that's a dog park, lounge, bar, and café, all in one.

"Dog PPL is perfect; it's a social scene," reports Dan Brehm, who takes his Yorkie, Jack, with him to the spot a couple of times a week. "You meet all these like-minded people, and even if you forget their names, you remember their dogs' names: Darwin, Cupcake, Blueberry." There's evidence that it's easier to meet people with a pet: A 2015 paper concluded that pet owners were more likely to get to know their neighbors than non-pet owners.

Quills Warne, who takes a Pet ride with his dog, Tesla (named for "the scientist, not the car"), nearly every day, knows this as well as anybody. "I have a topic to talk about right in my lap," Quills explains. "It's the perfect conversation starter."

Pets and professions

But pets aren't just for time off - they also make their way into the office. In Tacoma, Washington, a pet tags along on roughly one out of every 60 commutes.

John Cox, who brings his Blue Heeler, Dakota, to work with him every day, says having a pet in the office is good for morale. "Dakota brings so much spirit into the office," he says. "She knows everyone and whether they like to pet her on the belly or the back."

That sentiment is shared by others who commute with their pets. "Luke has received Employee of the Month every month since he started coming in," recounts Jeff. "Everyone just loves the guy." And Waffles, Mallory Mcloughlin's Yorkshire terrier, has affectionately been named the CTO (Chief Treat Officer) at her coworking space.

There's no question about it: With pets being such an integral part of our home, social, and work lives, the least we can do is help them ride around in style.

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