The right pet shipping company can get your dog to your new home while providing all their necessities. Keep reading to find out how much it will cost.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, over two million pets and live animals are shipped by air every year in the United States.

Pet owners find themselves having to ship their beloved furry friends for many reasons, such as moving house or getting a new job in a different state. Whatever the reasons, there are certain things you need to do and certain regulations you need to follow.

Read on to discover more about pet shipping, including what it is, how you can safely ship your pet, and how much it costs to ship a pet.

What Is Pet Shipping?

Pet shipping refers to pet transport, which involves safely transporting pets from one location to another. Often the mode of transport is a plane, however, it is also possible to ship pets using cars (and in rarer cases, boats, buses, or trains may be used).

Shipping a pet might be needed for a variety of reasons, such as if a family is going on a long-term vacation, moving house and location, or even for events such as dog shows. No matter why you’re shipping your pet, it’s important that you know and implement the necessary measures to keep your pet safe during transportation.

Pet owners can ship their pets themselves or they can choose to recruit the help of a pet transport service, such as Animal Transportation Worldwide. Choosing a pet transport service might help to save you time, as they are able to advise what you need to do prior to shipping and take care of everything else.

How to Safely Ship a Pet

National and international pet shipping come with a whole load of regulations that you need to follow. You can’t just wake up one day and decide to ship your pet, the process requires weeks of preparation and planning.

1. Do Your Research

The best way to start planning your pet’s trip is to look at the body’s regulate pet travel. Start by looking at the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also is a good place to look, as they enforce acts relating to animal welfare, under the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

You should also look at specific country regulations (under the country’s embassy) if your pet is being shipped internationally. Some countries state that pets need specific vaccinations and require pets to quarantine for a certain amount of time.

Most research will highlight the fact that your pet needs to have a microchip, be fully vaccinated, have a Rabies Titre test, and health certificates. For international pet shipping, you will also need an import permit.

2. Check the Regulations

Contact the airline or transport services your pet is going to use and check what they require from you. Speaking to the experts is a great way to ensure you know what your pet needs to travel. Some airlines might have different regulations, so even if you’ve transported a pet before, make sure you check what you need.

3. Make a Vet Appointment

A veterinarian will be able to give your pet all the necessary vaccinations and ensure your pet is ready for travel. However, you will need to make sure your pet is ready at least 10 days before your trip. Your vet will also be able to give you the necessary documents you need (such as the health certificate) to ensure your pet can be transported.

It should be noted that older pets, pregnant pets, or those with breathing difficulties (such as Pugs) may struggle to obtain a health certificate. Pets also need to be at least 8 weeks old before they can be shipped.

4. Buy the Necessary Items

Depending on how your pet is traveling, you may need to go shopping. For example, animals traveling via air need to have a carrier. Some airlines provide carriers, however, others require pet owners to provide these.

When it comes to carriers, there are certain regulations you need to meet. The carrier needs to be spacious enough for your pet to sit, stand, and lie down. The carrier also needs to be sturdy with a solid floor and it needs to have good ventilation.

If you aren’t sure about what type of carrier or items you need to buy for the transportation, ask the service provider what they advise. Most providers have specific regulations that need to be met, for them to safely transport your pet.

How Much Does Pet Shipping Cost?

The cost of pet shipping depends on whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a company to take care of it for you. There are several factors that may influence the overall cost, such as the type and breed of your pet, the size of your pet, the type of transport you choose, the number of vaccines your pet needs, and the distance you’re shipping the pet.

If you choose to take care of shipping your pet then you can expect to spend between $700 and $1,900 for domestic travel. International travel costs are higher, because of the cost of plane tickets, and different country regulations (such as import permits). International travel costs can be anywhere between $1,700 to $2,900.

Shipping your pet will also cost you quite a bit of time too, as you will need to thoroughly research how to ship your pet. Above we have broken down the essential things you need to know, however, specific states and countries have different rules and regulations that need to be abided by. That’s why quite a lot of people choose to ship their pets using a pet specialist relocation service.

Pet relocation companies charge between $2,000 and $4,000 for moving a pet. The lower end of the price range is often for smaller pets and for those who are using domestic travel. Whereas larger pets will cost more to move and if you’re moving countries, then this will also cost more money.

Save Yourself From the Hassle of Shipping Your Pet

As you can see pet shipping isn’t as straightforward as you would initially think. There are a lot of regulations and rules that need to be followed, as such the cost of shipping a pet can add up.

Shipping your pet yourself might save you a few dollars, but it will cost you a lot of time when it comes to researching. To save yourself time and hassle, it’s advisable to ship your pet using a company who are in the know about pet transportation regulations.

Find out more about how you can safely transport your pet and other useful facts by reading some of our other articles.