PHOTO ESSAY/Dogs and cats ride the Taipei Metro during special pet day

03/31/2024 08:47 PM

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A corgi with a cap observes its fellow furry passenger with intrigue while riding a special pet friendly service on the Taipei Metro on Sunday. CNA photo March 31, 2024

Taipei, March 31 (CNA) In celebration of the upcoming National Pet Day, Taipei Metro (MRT) on Sunday held its second ever special pet event to welcome furry passengers to its transportation system.

Taipei Rapid Transit Corp. (TRTC) said it deployed four trains to provide 16 train services allowing pets on Taipei Metro's Red (Xinyi-Tamsui) Line.

A dog with a hat looks into a camera onboard a special pet friendly service on the Taipei Metro on Sunday. CNA photo March 31, 2024

A human passenger attempts to snap a photo of her fellow Shiba Inu passenger on Sunday. CNA photo March 31, 2024

A dog is let out of its stroller to experience a special pet friendly service on the Taipei Metro on Sunday. CNA photo March 31, 2024

The trains used for the one-day event were additional services and did not affect the Red Line's regular schedule.

Unlike the inaugural event last year, pet owners did not have to sign up to experience the service ahead of time this year, TRTC said.

On the advice of animal experts, the four trains were divided between dog-exclusive and cat-exclusive trains, and they all had veterinarians, animal behavioral professionals and janitors on board, the company said.

A leashed up cat is cradled in its owner's arms when riding a special pet friendly service on the Taipei Metro on Sunday. CNA photo March 31, 2024

A cat is swaddled in a blanket with its owners on the Taipei Metro on Sunday. CNA photo March 31, 2024

While all furry passengers were free to ride the trains as long as they were on a leash, TRTC still required owners to keep their pets confined in bags or cages when entering and exiting station gates.

The company said the four MRT trains used for pet day will only re-enter the Taipei Metro's normal passenger fleet after they have been cleaned and disinfected.