Millions of pet owners experience frustration, extra expense and long journeys getting their pet companions across the channel . Enough is enough. There are no logical reasons why new operators cannot provide a channel crossing service for foot passengers and their pets .

We call on Virgin Trains (and other challengers to the Eurostar cross-channel train service) to change the outdated pet policy - and allow pets on passenger trains from London or Ashford direct to Paris - through the channel tunnel. 

 Read why, below. 

What's the story?

Since the launch of Eurostar, pets have been banned from travelling on passenger trains from London To Paris.  The only journey allowed through the Channel tunnel, involves a 5-8 hour drive with your pet, to Dover, then getting the Shuttle, then driving from Calais to Paris and onwards - in comparison to hopping on a train from London to Paris (2.5 hours).

We demand a change to this outdated policy as the Eurostar monopoly comes to an end. We need pets to be included in the picture.

This is not just a customer-friendly gesture: it’s a commercially sound decision that speaks directly to millions of underserved travellers and presents a powerful differentiator against Eurostar’s outdated policy.

Why Has Eurostar Excluded Dogs anyway? (exactly!)

 Historically, Eurostar has cited the following (none of which are insurmountable):

1. It's a security and border control issue 

Actually NO!  If that was the case, the current Pet Travel Scheme would not be operating, and Eurotunnel’s car service has handled it smoothly for years. There is no valid and rational security reason to exclude pets in future scenarios of travel by train through the tunnel. 
 

2. It's due to tunnel safety and emergency protocols

Actually No! The Channel Tunnel is one of the safest transport infrastructures in the world, with a remarkable safety record. In 30 years of operation, fewer than 5 passenger-related evacuations have occurred—and none involving mass panic or unmanaged exit. The likelihood of a dog interfering in a dangerous scenario is extremely low.  No passenger fatalities have occurred due to fire or tunnel incidents.
In fact - most evacuations have occurred on the Eurotunnel Shuttle (vehicle transport) service—not passenger rail—and even those were managed with high levels of control and low disruption. Over 300,000 pets already travel through the channel tunnel each year by car/LeShuttle - so the risk is low and the issue is already managed.   With proper controls and defined zones, the issue is manageable—trains in France, Italy, and Germany manage this routinely.
 

3. It's because of cleanliness and comfort 

Actually No! Trains across Europe already manage this with specific zones and modest cleaning surcharges. You can hop on a train anywhere in the UK with your pet. So this is purely a policy and service design choice.

4) The UK Government wont allow it

Actually NO! there is no specific provision in the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Act (or the Channel Tunnel Acts) that regulates whether Eurostar may carry pets. Regulation and practical prohibition of pets on Eurostar arise instead from (a) Eurostar’s own conditions/policy and commercial choices, and (b) animal-health / border control rules administered by the UK’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA / DEFRA) which require pets entering the UK to use approved carriers/routes. In practice Eurostar has chosen not to be an approved carrier for ordinary pet travel to/from the UK, and therefore pets (other than approved assistance animals) are not carried on Eurostar services.

So it's purely a 'can't be bothered' policy issue. An online / or vet check-in pet passport scheme could easily be rolled out to allow dogs and cats to travel. 

Why should the new companies listen?

Because they could gain millions more customers if they provide a passenger &pet service. And because current policy is inconsistent and irrational:

• Dogs are already allowed in the Channel Tunnel via Eurotunnel Le Shuttle in private vehicles.
• This proves the infrastructure, customs protocols, and biosecurity systems already exist and support pet transport.

WHERE do we go from here?

There are many opportunities to re-think the pet owner experience through the tunnel. 

New operators have the perfect timing and freedom to design better policies from day one. There is no technical, legal, or economic reason to exclude dogs. With minor operational design, they can win over thousands of loyal customers and set a new standard for cross-border travel.

Sign the petition to tell those companies developing plans to end Eurostar's monopoly - that they can do it better. They can have a 'Yes -pet policy' And win lots more loyal customers in the process. Once this petition gains momentum it will be sent to train operators.

WHY SHOULD THEY CARE?

Dog Ownership in the UK is huge and growing - this will open up a huge customer base According to the Kennel Club’s UK’s Dog Population & Ownership trends, there are approximately 12.5 million dogs in the UK.
With around 27 million households in the country, this works out to roughly 44 % of households owning at least one dog.
Recent surveys also show that dog ownership has risen steadily over the past decade, particularly among younger adults and urban households.
 

• Dog Ownership in Spain - The European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) estimated in 2023 that Spain has around 6.5 million dogs—one of the larger dog populations in Europe, though still less than in the UK.
  Spain has about 19 million households, meaning roughly 34–35 % of households own a dog.
  A national survey by the Spanish Veterinary Association (AVEPA) echoed this, suggesting one in three households includes at least one canine companion.