Over 43,000 Pets Rode the Rails Across the Urals in 2025—Including Lemurs and Meerkats

More than 37,300 pets travelled with their owners on long-distance trains through the Urals in 2025. A further 5,800 animals made the journey unaccompanied. The figures highlight a growing trend of pet transport by rail in the region.

The majority of pets travelling with owners departed from Yekaterinburg, with Moscow and St. Petersburg as the most common destinations. No detailed records exist for other routes taken by accompanied animals.

Over 5,800 pets travelled alone on these trains, a number nearly five times higher than the total animals housed in Yekaterinburg Zoo. The unaccompanied group included a wide variety of species beyond typical household pets. Dogs and cats were among the most common, but the list also featured iguanas, squirrels, and lemurs. Ferrets, guinea pigs, and goats were transported as well. More unusual travellers included meerkats, lizards, monkeys, and even chickens. Tortoises, raccoons, hedgehogs, pigeons, and butterflies were also recorded on the journeys.

The data reveals a significant demand for pet transport services on long-distance rail routes. With thousands of animals moving across the Urals, both with and without owners, the trend reflects changing travel habits. Rail operators continue to accommodate a diverse range of species on their networks.