News

Washington State Ferry to allow dogs on ferries for the next six months

Washington State Ferry to allow dogs on ferries for the next six months

Photo: Saga Communications/Dave Walker


OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Your next ferry ride may have a few new passengers of the four-legged variety.

Washington State Ferries says its letting passengers take dogs with them for the next six months.

The dogs have to be on leashes at all times during the trial period.

Larger dogs have to stay on the floor, while small dogs should be on their owner’s lap or in a carrier.

All other pets still have to stay in a crate or carrier, with the exception of service animals.

Officials will review feedback in February 2026 before deciding whether to make the change permanent.

It comes as Washington State Ferries is expecting close to 400,000 riders on board from now through Labor Day.

Recent Headlines

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

This year’s song of the summer is a ballad, not a banger. Here’s what that says about us

For the past 14 weeks and counting, the top Billboard spot has been held by a love ballad: Alex Warren's "Ordinary." As Berklee College of Music professor and forensic musicologist Joe Bennett notes, the February release is "a fair bit slower than the mean average for the Hot 100, or for a historical song of the summer."

2 days ago in Entertainment

Julia Roberts, Anna Wintour, Ralph Lauren and more pay tribute to Giorgio Armani

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani's work spanned the worlds of celebrity, fashion and power. His death announced Thursday at age 91 has elicited an outpouring of tributes.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Al Roker lends his voice and meteorology skills to the new PBS Kids animated show ‘Weather Hunters’

This fall, everyone's favorite weatherman is getting a kick out of launching his own educational cartoon TV show — "Weather Hunters," which premieres Monday on PBS Kids.

3 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Justin Bieber announces ‘Swag ll’ will arrive Friday

Never say never... again? In July, Justin Bieber surprised fans by releasing his seventh studio album, "Swag," hours after he teased it on billboards and social media posts. It turns out, he wasn't done yet. On Thursday morning, Bieber shared that "Swag II" will arrive on Friday.

3 days ago in Entertainment, Trending

Giorgio Armani, who dressed the powerful and famous from boardroom to Hollywood, dies at 91

Giorgio Armani, the iconic Italian designer who turned the concept of understated elegance into a multibillion-dollar fashion empire, died Thursday, his fashion house confirmed. He was 91.