The Amtrak 'Pet Car' Just Got One Step Closer to Reality

Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to authorize about $8 billion in funding for Amtrak by an overwhelming 316-101 vote. That's mixed news if you're a person, as the bill has high and low points. But you're probably wagging your tail right now if you're a cat or a dog, because it also outlines a pilot program for passengers traveling with pets—the Pet Car:

It goes on to describe how the pilot program would designate "where feasible, at least 1 car" for ticketed passengers traveling with pets, provided the animal is contained in a kennel that meets Amtrak's size requirements for carry-on bags. A separate provision allows the animal to travel as cargo as long as the baggage area "is temperature controlled in a manner protective of cat and dog safety and health."