UK Pet Taxi & Ambulance Providers: A Directory
A directory of established UK pet taxi and animal ambulance services, plus what to check before you book one.
Looking for a pet taxi near you, or a calm pair of hands to get a poorly animal to the vet? This directory lists established UK pet transport and animal ambulance services, explains roughly what each one does, and ends with a checklist of what to confirm before you book.
A quick but important note first: a pet ambulance is specialist transport, not a 999-style emergency service. These vehicles do not have blue lights or right of way on the road. If your pet is in a genuine emergency, phone your vet or your out-of-hours vet first for advice — then arrange transport. With that said, here are the providers.
Animals at Home
What they do: animal ambulance and pet taxi work, including routine, non-urgent and emergency transport.
Coverage: a national franchise network with regional branches across the UK, so you book through your nearest branch rather than a single central office.
Good to know: the network operates 24/7, with staff trained in pet first aid, and works alongside vets, charities and referral hospitals. Find your nearest branch and current details at animalsathome.co.uk.
Pets2Places
What they do: friendly, non-emergency pet transport — trips to the vet, groomer, kennels or cattery.
Coverage: a franchise network with branches including Bedford, Milton Keynes, Pontefract & Wakefield, and Solihull.
Good to know: this is a comfort-focused taxi service rather than an emergency ambulance, ideal for everyday journeys when you can't drive. Check coverage and book via pets2places.co.uk.
First For Pets
What they do: pet taxi and animal ambulance work, covering both routine journeys and emergencies.
Good to know: a combined taxi-and-ambulance offer means one provider can handle both an everyday groomer run and a more urgent vet trip. Confirm current coverage and availability at firstforpetsuk.co.uk.
Pet Taxi Ltd
What they do: climate-controlled, door-to-door pet taxi journeys, including longer trips across the UK and into Europe.
Good to know: the climate-controlled vehicles and longer-distance remit make this a good fit for relocations or extended journeys, not just short local hops. See pettaxi.uk.com.
Pet Taxi
What they do: local and nationwide pet transport, with comfort breaks built into longer journeys.
Good to know: comfort breaks matter on long trips so your pet can stretch, toilet and rest. Details at petaxi.co.uk.
The Pet Bus
What they do: UK pet transport, described as DEFRA-approved.
Good to know: DEFRA-related approval is a useful signal for longer commercial journeys (see our note on transport rules below). Confirm the current scope of their service at thepetbus.co.uk.
What to check before you book
Providers, coverage areas and contact details change, so always confirm the current details on the provider's own website before booking. Beyond that, here is a sensible checklist:
- Insurance. Ask whether the business carries appropriate insurance to transport animals, and what it covers.
- Pet first-aid training. For anything beyond a simple errand, it's reassuring if drivers are trained in pet first aid — particularly for ambulance-type jobs.
- A secure, climate-controlled vehicle. Pets should travel safely restrained in a vehicle that stays a comfortable temperature in summer and winter.
- The right paperwork for longer journeys. Commercial transport over 65 km generally requires DEFRA transporter authorisation and a certificate of competence (see our pet transport rules guide). For a short local trip these aren't typically required, but for long-distance moves they're a fair thing to ask about.
- Whether it's taxi or ambulance. Some firms do both; others are taxi-only. If your pet is unwell or post-surgery, check they can handle that, not just a routine pick-up.
- Reviews and references. Look at independent reviews and, for an unfamiliar local operator, ask whether your vet knows them.
- A clear quote. Pet transport isn't sold at a fixed national price, so always ask for a quote up front for your specific journey.
A word on emergencies
If your animal has collapsed, is struggling to breathe, has had a serious accident or is in obvious distress, the first call is to your vet or out-of-hours emergency vet — not a taxi. They can advise whether to bring the animal in immediately and how to move it safely, and they may know the quickest local transport. An animal ambulance can then help with the journey, but it is not a substitute for professional emergency veterinary advice.
Sources
Common questions
Is there a pet taxi near me?
Several UK pet transport businesses run as national or regional franchise networks, so you book through your nearest branch. Check each provider's website for current coverage in your area, as branches and service areas change.
Do pet ambulances respond to 999-style emergencies?
No. A pet ambulance is specialist transport, not a blue-light emergency service, and has no right of way. In a genuine emergency, phone your vet or out-of-hours vet first for advice, then arrange transport.
What should I check before booking a pet taxi?
Confirm insurance, whether drivers have pet first-aid training, that the vehicle is secure and climate-controlled, the relevant DEFRA paperwork for long journeys, reviews, and a clear quote for your specific trip.
How much does a pet taxi cost?
There is no fixed national price. Costs vary with distance, urgency and the type of service, so always ask the provider for a quote for your particular journey.
About the author
Matt — founder, Giddy Pets
Matt started Giddy Pets to make getting pets the good stuff simpler and fairer. Everything in these guides comes from real life with pets and a lot of trial and error — it's practical guidance, not veterinary advice. If a guide gets something wrong, tell him directly.