Ferret by train?

[WestCoast]

Just had someone ask me this.

Do you think it would be acceptable to catch a train with a ferret on a lead?

I've looked this up and the National Rail website mentions dogs on leads, but it says nothing about cats or ferrets on leads. It does mention a carrier for cats and small animals, and that carriage of animals is at the discretion of the train crew.

This ferret is apparently impeccably behaved and has enjoyed travelling on buses in the past.

 

[Welshman]

I've known some be gripped by one on this forum!

 

[johnnychips]

Daft question: do dogs have to pay a train fare? I've never thought of this before, though I know they used to do on buses.

I always used to carry a cat in a basket without expecting to, or being asked to, pay a fare on trains.

 

[ainsworth74]

The NRCoC makes it pretty clear that all animals other than dogs have to conveyed in carriers rather than on leashes. As for a charge two animals are conveyed free of charge for every additional animal a fee not exceeding half the adult fare for your journey is charged for each additional animal in excess of a passenger’s free allowance.

 

[WestCoast]

Daft question: do dogs have to pay a train fare? I've never thought of this before, though I know they used to do on buses.

I always used to carry a cat in a basket without expecting to, or being asked to, pay a fare on trains.

National Rail say that 'accompanied animals' don't need a ticket, as for 'unaccompanied animals' well...

I've taken my dog on the bus and the train, my local bus operator charges 40p for a 'dog flat fare'.

 

[Welshman]

No - they usually get their owners to pay it for them if need be.

I'll say goodnight, then.

 

[johnnychips]

No - they usually get their owners to pay it for them if need be.

I'll say goodnight, then.

D'oh!

But my dog used to ask for fares to Barking, Bo'ness and Rufford

And the cat to Meols!

And when I was in Ghent in Belgium, my pet frog was able to ask for Rabot on the tram.

And my pet hippopotamus used to make it clear when he wanted to go to Broadbottom.

Any other animal ideas before I drive myself daft trying to think of them?

 

[WestCoast]

The NRCoC makes it pretty clear that all animals other than dogs have to conveyed in carriers rather than on leashes..

Thanks, I will past that on.

 

[LondonJohn]

Funny you should mention this but I saw a guy with a ferret on a lead (it was round his shoulders like a scarf having a nap get on a train at Clapham Junction the other day.

When the guy sat down, the ferret looked round and promptly went back to his resting doze.

 

[Tomonthetrain]

*Resists making jokes about ferreting around!*

Hope the ferret has a nice trip!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I saw a bloke with a Gloucester Old Spot pig on a lead a few months ago, waiting to board a Nottingham train at Long Eaton. Apparently he is a known regular sight in the area!

 

[Welshman]

And isn't there a video somewhere of a man trying to lead his pony on to a train at Wrexham?

To say nothing of lions attempting to board at Shepley.

By the way, johnnychips, my cat always wanted to go to Purr-ley.

 

[Lampshade]

Just make sure it doesn't run up anyone's trouser leg

 

[johnnychips]

By the way, johnnychips, my cat always wanted to go to Purr-ley.

My auntie's sealion went to Clapham as well.

 

[millemille]

Just had someone ask me this.

Do you think it would be acceptable to catch a train with a ferret on a lead?

I asked a colleague from Ops your question and he told me that as long as staff are certain it is a ferret and not a weasel or stoat you'll be fine.

Apparently there have been problems in the past with pet stoats and weasels attacking passengers.

Senior Station staff and all train crew now have to go on a 2 day "mammal identification course" (Not to be confused with the 3 day "mammary identification course" which is voluntary).

Although from what I've heard 2 days is bit excessive as what it boils down to is a weasel is weasily recognised and a stoat is s'toatally different.......


Ayethangyew!

 

[Minilad]

I asked a colleague from Ops your question and he told me that as long as staff are certain it is a ferret and not a weasel or stoat you'll be fine.

Apparently there have been problems in the past with pet stoats and weasels attacking passengers.

Senior Station staff and all train crew now have to go on a 2 day "mammal identification course" (Not to be confused with the 3 day "mammary identification course" which is voluntary).

Although from what I've heard 2 days is bit excessive as what it boils down to is a weasel is weasily recognised and a stoat is s'toatally different.......


Ayethangyew!

Are you here all week by any chance.

Never seen a Ferret, apart from a certain poster on here !, on a train but I have seen a Tortoise, Snake and Goldfish !!

 

[PaulLothian]

I think this song ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h-VCYn_4O4 ) suggests it may be OK to have a ferret, but only on your knee. It's funny how as a lad I thought 'I'm sorry, I'll read that again' was the height of sophisticated humour!

 

[Bedpan]

(Not to be confused with the 3 day "mammary identification course" which is voluntary).

This should be compulsory for FCC station staff assuming that the purpose of the course is to train them to identify when things have gone "tits up" and educate them how to keep a-breast of what is going on. At the moment, although they say that they will learn from their mistakes, there are all too many boobs when it comes to communicating with the travelling public.

 

[neilmc]

Man gets on a train in South West Wales with a ferret AND two goldfish.

The conductor comes round and checks his ticket.

"Ferry terminal?" he asks.

"No, he's quite well, thank you," says the man.

"What's in the bowl, sir?"

"Fish, guard!"