Eric D. Lawrence

Detroit Free Press

Need to travel from Detroit to Chicago with your teacup poodle? Starting next month, the train will now be an option.

Amtrak plans to allow small dogs and cats in carriers to ride with their owners on trains in Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin for $25. It's an expansion of a program begun in Illinois in 2014. Since then, more than 6,300 pets have traveled on Amtrak trains as the program has been expanded, according to an Amtrak news release today.

Pet reservations will be accepted for Blue Water, Wolverine Service, Pere Marquette, Missouri River Runner Service and Hiawatha Service trains for trips beginning Monday. Pets will have to remain in a carrier under the seat of the passenger with whom they are traveling.

Here are Amtrak's requirements for traveling pets:

Maximum weight, including carrier, is 20 pounds.

Only one pet per passenger.

There is a limit of five pet reservations per train, which are allotted on a first-come-first-served basis.

Pets must remain in carriers and under the passenger's seat.

Service animals continue to be allowed on trains free of charge.

For information, go to https://www.amtrak.com/carry-on-pets

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter: @_ericdlawrence.