Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

Bay Ferries Limited allows service animals (including emotional support dogs, assistance dogs, and psychiatric service dogs) on the cabin deck of all vessels free of charge, when the animal is on duty.

Before Booking

It is important that international travellers review the entrance and import regulations for Canada and/or the United States to ensure permission to travel with your dog.

Your service animal must wear some form of physical restraint device as it must be under your control at all times. Animals that pose any type of threat to the health and safety of crew members or other guests may be denied transport in the passenger cabin of the vessel.

Acceptance

Bay Ferries Limited accepts dogs as service animals on all vessels at no charge (one service dog per passenger with a cognitive, physical, or emotional disability). Requests to travel with more than one service dog will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Only on-duty, fully trained, and certified service dogs will be permitted on the cabin deck. All other dogs must remain in your vehicle or in the kennels provided on the vehicle deck.

We strongly recommend that all service animals wear proper identification (e.g. vest) at all times while on the cabin deck of the vessel.

Bay Ferries Limited reserves the right to limit movement on the cabin deck should another guest have severe allergies to animal dander.

Documentation and Identification

Passengers travelling with a service animal may be required to provide credible verbal assurance that the animal is a certified service animal. In situations where verbal assurance provided is questioned, a Registered Certificate Identification Card or other written documentation may be requested. Alternatively, the presence of physical indicators (e.g. harnesses or tags) will be accepted.

Seating Requirements

Passengers should contact a cabin crew member upon arrival on the cabin deck for assistance in locating seating to accommodate both you and your service animal.

Pet Relief Areas Available

Pet relief areas are available at all our terminals. Should your service animal require the use of one of these areas, simply self-identify at check-in and you will be escorted to the designated pet relief area by one of our staff members. All pet relief areas are also clearly marked with wayfinding signage that is embossed and includes directional arrows and Braille print. These are strategically placed to guide guests to the pet relief areas.

Entrance and Import Regulations

Importing/exporting service dogs:

All necessary travel documentation, including required health certificates, must be up to date before travel. Proof of compliance with international regulations is required for travel between Canada and the United States.

Failure to provide the required documentation will result in the service animal being denied passage on the Nova Scotia to Maine service. Service dogs must be at least 16 weeks old, be a certified service animal, and have up-to-date vaccines. A veterinary certificate will be required at check-in as well as upon arrival at the Canadian Customs Services Agency, for more information, click here. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has certain requirements that must be met before a dog will be permitted to enter the United States. All dogs must appear healthy and a valid rabies vaccination certificate may be required. To learn more, click here.