How to choose a pet shipping company
Most people book a pet shipper once in their life, with no way to tell a good one from a bad one. Here is what is worth asking, and our own answer to each — including the question most companies will not answer honestly.
Rated 5.0 from 51 reviews on Google“Do I need a pet shipper at all?”
Ask it first, and notice whether you get a straight answer. Ours: unlike other companies, we’re happy to explain all the requirements for your destination country and help guide you through the process for the stricter locations. While others charge for this, our philosophy is to be as helpful as possible to everyone we speak with. Sometimes, there are cheaper options where you don’t even need a pet shipper, and if that’s the case, we’ll let you know.
“Will you explain my destination’s requirements before I pay anything?”
The consultation should come before the invoice. Ours is free and includes reviewing your pet’s current vaccination status against the destination’s rules. You can also read the requirements yourself — we publish requirements for 219 destinations, each naming the authority that sets them and the date it was verified.
“What crate will my pet fly in, and how do you size it?”
A crate is sized from the animal, not from its breed. Airline regulations require at least 3″ clearance on length and when sitting inside the carrier, and sitting height is usually the determining factor. If a company cannot tell you which series your dog needs from three measurements, that is worth noticing. Ours are set out in the kennel guide and the size finder.
“What exactly does the deposit cover, and what happens if I cancel?”
Get this in writing before you pay. Ours: a non-refundable deposit of $500 covers the admin costs related to your pet’s transportation, with the balance generally due once the airline confirms the booking, and larger hard costs — kennel, ground transport, veterinarian or boarding — asked for upfront. If you cancel, we make our best effort to refund anything not already spent on hard costs. It is all written down on our deposit and refund policy rather than explained on a call.
“Who will I actually speak to?”
A dedicated travel coordinator you can call anytime, working with your vet and the airline throughout. If you need support on an order, the best option is to call your pet transport specialist as they’ll be most familiar with your account — and if you can’t reach them you can always contact another team member at (424) 421-1650.
“Where will my pet be on the aircraft?”
In most cases, only small pets under airline weight limits can travel in-cabin; larger pets typically travel in climate-controlled cargo areas designed specifically for animal safety. We only use the most trustworthy airlines with pressurized, climate controlled cargo holds. While there are cheaper alternatives we put your pet’s safety above profit.
More on what we do: International pet shipping · What our transport service includes · Relocating with pets
Questions worth asking any pet shipper
What should I ask a pet shipping company before booking?
Whether you need a shipper at all; whether they will explain your destination’s requirements before you pay; how they size the travel crate; exactly what the deposit covers and what happens if you cancel; who your point of contact will be; and where on the aircraft your pet will travel.
Do I always need a pet shipping company?
No. Sometimes there are cheaper options where you don’t even need a pet shipper, and if that is the case we will tell you so on the free consultation rather than sell you something.
Is it normal to pay a deposit up front?
Yes, and what matters is that the terms are written down. Ours is a non-refundable $500 deposit covering the admin costs of your pet’s transportation, with the balance generally due once the airline confirms the booking and larger hard costs — kennel, ground transport, veterinarian or boarding — asked for upfront. The full terms.
How do I know the travel crate is the right one?
It is sized from your animal rather than from its breed. Airline regulations require at least 3″ clearance on length and when sitting inside the carrier, and for most dogs sitting height is the determining factor.
Three measurements are enough to identify the series — how to take them, and the finder.