Pet Hamster?

[fairviewroad]

It not a capital offense either.

Correcting a typo with another typo. Nice.

 

[chakk]

I thought most large cities have "pet hotels" where pets of all types can be boarded while one is away on travel.

Or maybe you have some friends in your home city that would be willing to keep your pet for you while you are away?

I think attempting to take it with you on Amtrak inside either a coach or a sleeper would be risky. I believe the conductor would have the legal right to put you and your pet off the train at the first convenience -- it need not be a regular station stop -- if you were found to be willfully violated the published rules on no pets except service animals.

I agree with the others who have suggested private car or one-way rental car as the most practical means. Any common carrier most likely has similar rules disallowing such conveyances.

Yet, such animals ARE transported from one city to another -- for sale at pet stores, etc. How do those folks do it? Fedex? UPS? I honestly don't know.

 

[D.P. Roberts]

There is no reason to become hasty. This is not getting anyone injured...

Except all of the people with severe allergies who don't expect to be bothered by pet dander/fur while onboard. People with severe allergies are in contact with train attendants, conductors, etc. so that they know if and when an animal might be nearby. For example, I know of a child who can into a anaphylactic shock if near an animal - his parents have to carry an EpiPen around at all times, just in case.

Yes, this child would be in trouble if there was a service dog around. However, if there WAS a dog, they would be informed about it and be able to take precautions (like moving to a different car, having medicine ready, or even an alternate train or form of transportation).

But when you sneak an animal onboard, you're putting that child at risk. So, your presumption is wrong - someone CAN be hurt, even if you didn't mean it.

 

[jimhudson]

In some parts of the world Geese and Pigs take the Place of Dogs! Think it would be OK to take a Pig or a Goose onto an Amtrak Train?? And to paraphrase an old saying from Shakespeare: A Rat by any Other Name Is Still a Rat!! <_<

 

[Ryan]

It not a capital offense either.

Correcting a typo with another typo. Nice.

I thought you would appreciate that.

 

[SANSR]

Dorm life in college has changed since the dark ages of the 1970s. The only other life form allowed in our dorm rooms were our roommates........well, those individuals and the occasional annoying early fall, latr spring, and all summer long flying insects that would manage to get past the window screens.

 

[zephyr17]

It not a capital offense either.

I'm not sure what a capitol offense is.

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum

Capital offense = capital punishment = death penalty. Seems a bit harsh for taking a hamster on a train...

 

[Ryan]

Yeah, I know what capital offenses are.

Not so sure about capitol offenses, though.

 

[greatcats]

I remember several years ago there were two service dogs on my Grand Canyon tour bus. They were far preferable to some if the customers.

 

[fairviewroad]

It not a capital offense either.

I'm not sure what a capitol offense is.

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum

Capital offense = capital punishment = death penalty. Seems a bit harsh for taking a hamster on a train...

I think Ryan knows that. He was commenting on my misspelling of the word "capital."

My original point was that a certain poster was IMO over-reacting to the proposed "crime."

 

[fairviewroad]

Interestingly, if you google Amtrak hamster you will find that a surprising number of people have had the same

question as the OP over the years.

Even more interestingly, Amtrak apparently USED to allow hamsters. Perhaps this person's laugh-out-loud anecdote

might be why Amtrak doesn't want to haul anyone's hamster anymore.

 

[Agent]

Yeah, I know what capital offenses are.

Not so sure about capitol offenses, though.

Congressmen.

 

[tomfuller]

Would you believe that my father was a rural mail carrier in PA? He delivered live chicks to farmers in the springtime. I think you can still send live things through the mail if they are properly packaged.

FedEx is famous for moving zoo animals. I once sent 2 live turtles from PA to my grandson in CA using DHL. Yes, they arrived alive packed in styrofoam in case it got cold anywhere on the way.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Or maybe you have some friends in your home city that would be willing to keep your pet for you while you are away?

The hamster is a stress reducer while s/he is at college, so leaving it with someone is not going to help with that.

 

[IowaGirl]

Not so sure about capitol offenses, though

It would be if it was on the Capitol Limited. Perhaps on the Capitol Corridor?

 

[7deuceman]

Just a small thought or two to share:

I believe that several posters on this thread should apologize to Guest College Student for the abusive comments made today. Such snarky comments are not appropriate for a forum that is meant to support Amtrak, share positive ideas and openly discuss solutions for the resolution of service shortcomings. At least that is how I see it. I recently became a member of this forum - to share positives and to support Amtrak. Being rude to a passenger or potential passenger or to another person, is just plain bad and it is definitely not good for Amtrak business. The conversation on this forum relates directly to Amtrak.

College students and young adults are Amtrak's future life-long clients

What some of you may not realize is the amazing power of social networking and alternative communications. Our young people are profoundly more adept at communicating and eliciting change or making buying decisions, than some of us could imagine. So I believe that it is best (to not only be decent and respectful to posters and to all people) but to be especially courteous to one of the most important potential Amtrak customers - our college students and other young adults. They have the power to share good experiences and safe travels with many, many people. Good public relations, continued product improvement and consistent marketing is what Amtrak needs right now. This forum of Amtrak supporters could do wonders to show the features and benefits of taking Amtrak, starting with our young adults..

Taking a beloved pet on a trip is a sensitive issue... people want their pets to join them on trips.

Having spent a career in airline sales and marketing, I know only too well that sometimes a pet does not arrive at the destination port in very good condition. So the discussion of pets on trains is a legitimate concern, a topic for further discussion - and a potential point of value for Amtrak and the potential pet-transporting customer, many of whom likely have never ridden on Amtrak.

I would look at this thread as a precursor to another discussion, because there is a growing market for the safe transport of pets domestically. There is equally as important a need to discuss appropriate and professional interaction with potential customers - especially our young adults, as they and others may view this forum as a social networking site linked to Amtrak.

 

[me_little_me]

Hold on folks. While I agree that bringing the hamster is wrong and selfish, it is not a legal issue as in "breaking the law". Amtrak prohibits pets but taking one on gets you kicked off and possibly banned from using Amtrak but it is not a police issue if I am correct. This is no different than walking into a place that doesn't allow pets - they kick you out and if you don't leave, they can call the police because you are now trespassing. If you refused to leave the train, the police would also be called (and might be called up front to insure you did not cause a disruption) but I can't see that you or your hamster would be arrested unless you refused to leave.

 

[tp49]

It not a capital offense either.

I'm not sure what a capitol offense is.

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum

Those happen in the capitol bathroom after too much chili. :giggle: :hi:

 

[June the Coach Rider]

There is no reason to become hasty. This is not getting anyone injured...

Except all of the people with severe allergies who don't expect to be bothered by pet dander/fur while onboard. People with severe allergies are in contact with train attendants, conductors, etc. so that they know if and when an animal might be nearby. For example, I know of a child who can into a anaphylactic shock if near an animal - his parents have to carry an EpiPen around at all times, just in case.

Yes, this child would be in trouble if there was a service dog around. However, if there WAS a dog, they would be informed about it and be able to take precautions (like moving to a different car, having medicine ready, or even an alternate train or form of transportation).

But when you sneak an animal onboard, you're putting that child at risk. So, your presumption is wrong - someone CAN be hurt, even if you didn't mean it.

Good point, and before someone says you can't be allergic to a hamster, you can and some people are. Plus the cedar shavings used for their bedding can cause allergic reactions. I am allergic to cedar and have to be very careful even going into pet stores because of it.

 

[gmushial]

Hi, I'm on my way back to college and I have no way of bringing my pet Syrian Hamster back with me except if I bring her on to the train. She has a travel carrier that is two cages combined. There is a bar cage to prevent her from sneaking out (I even secured it with a lock) that goes in a bite proof fabric carrier to keep her warm. She is spayed (as in there is no possibility of bringing a pregnant hamster aboard) and has all her shots. She's trained to fall asleep whenever she is in her travel cage. She is also trained to not bite, even a stranger!

I know this is a big no-no but would it be over looked if she was out of sight from a conductor or fellow passengers?

(Out of Sight, Out of Mind.)

My suggestion is: hang an ad in Craigslist for a ride - you should have no problem getting one (hamster included).... would include an ad in both Craigslists (nyc and Syracuse). Being the father of two grad school daughters: that seems to work pretty well for lots of students needing to get from A to B. Though hang the ads a good two to three weeks ahead of time. Likewise keep an eye open on both lists for rides offered - your situation is hardly unique and there are lots of people that a) would like the company for the drive and b) having someone to share the gas money with.

 

[Guest]

Except all of the people with severe allergies who don't expect to be bothered by pet dander/fur while onboard.

This is a red herring. People should stop bringing up this red herring.

I have severe allergies to polyester and nobody is doing a thing to remove polyester from the train. I know people with severe allergies to perfume and nobody does a thing to prevent perfume on the train. There are going to be animals all around when these hypothetical allergic people are at train stations, going to and from the train station, etc. If you have allergies and you travel, you have to be prepared to be exposed. And no, the hypothetical person with allergies would not be informed in advance of the presence of a service dog.

 

[Nathanael]

No one was insulting anyone that actually requires a service animal.

I'm going from Penn Station (NYC) to Syracuse. It's a little over 5 Hours.

Unfortunately, all the bus carriers I checked (Trailways as well as Greyhound) also stupidly prohibit pets. This is really going to have to change. Most people in the US have pets, and more and more people don't want to drive.

Your best bet is unfortunately, as the other person suggested, to put up a Craigslist ad and carpool with a stranger. Random people off the Internet are more reasonable than Amtrak and Greyhound and Trailways.

 

[Red Sunset]

Calling a hamster a "service animal" is an insult to the thousands of people who legitimately require the services of a bona fide service animal. Fine, bring your service hamster, I'll bring my service boa constrictor.

Good point, it makes me angry to see a devolution of the term "service animal". I'm sure these people mean no harm, but just because they love their pets, it doesn't make them service animals. The more neurotic try to claim some health benefit and use the "medical" angle to get their animal through the doors, and these people are just plain scary to be around.
I hope Amtrak holds to its strict policy regarding animals on trains.

 

[FriskyFL]

Rules is rules, and the sooner the OP realizes that the world is sometimes cruel and indifferent to his/her particular plight, the better he'll be for it. His hamster may in fact be the cutest, best-behaved rodent in the universe, but what about the next guy, whose gerbil refuses to listen to music with his little gerbil headphones, or sparks up a doobie in the restroom...give them an inch, before long you'll have their humans behaving badly, which, of course, never happens today.

 

[gmushial]

Just a small thought or two to share:

I believe that several posters on this thread should apologize to Guest College Student for the abusive comments made today. Such snarky comments are not appropriate for a forum that is meant to support Amtrak, share positive ideas and openly discuss solutions for the resolution of service shortcomings. At least that is how I see it. I recently became a member of this forum - to share positives and to support Amtrak. Being rude to a passenger or potential passenger or to another person, is just plain bad and it is definitely not good for Amtrak business. The conversation on this forum relates directly to Amtrak.

College students and young adults are Amtrak's future life-long clients

What some of you may not realize is the amazing power of social networking and alternative communications. Our young people are profoundly more adept at communicating and eliciting change or making buying decisions, than some of us could imagine. So I believe that it is best (to not only be decent and respectful to posters and to all people) but to be especially courteous to one of the most important potential Amtrak customers - our college students and other young adults. They have the power to share good experiences and safe travels with many, many people. Good public relations, continued product improvement and consistent marketing is what Amtrak needs right now. This forum of Amtrak supporters could do wonders to show the features and benefits of taking Amtrak, starting with our young adults..

Taking a beloved pet on a trip is a sensitive issue... people want their pets to join them on trips.

Having spent a career in airline sales and marketing, I know only too well that sometimes a pet does not arrive at the destination port in very good condition. So the discussion of pets on trains is a legitimate concern, a topic for further discussion - and a potential point of value for Amtrak and the potential pet-transporting customer, many of whom likely have never ridden on Amtrak.

I would look at this thread as a precursor to another discussion, because there is a growing market for the safe transport of pets domestically. There is equally as important a need to discuss appropriate and professional interaction with potential customers - especially our young adults, as they and others may view this forum as a social networking site linked to Amtrak.

YES!