At ShippingHarbor, we take pride in helping families safely transport their beloved pets—including dogs, cats, horses, livestock, and other animals. Over the years, our trusted network of logistics carriers has helped reunite families across the nation and provided crucial transportation for rescued animals moving from shelters to their forever homes. Safe pet logistics is a mission that is truly near and dear to our hearts.

When shipping live animals, nothing matters more than trusting your carrier and ensuring your pet is thoroughly prepared for the journey.

Use these comprehensive guidelines to ensure your pet is fully ready for a safe and smooth voyage with ShippingHarbor.

1. Preparing Your Pet

Age & Health Considerations

Travel and unfamiliar environments can be stressful, even for healthy animals. If a pet is extremely young or senior, travel stress can lead to medical complications.

• Minimum Age: We strongly advise against shipping pets under 10 weeks of age.

• Pre-existing Conditions: Pets with asthma, heart conditions, or seizure disorders should only travel with explicit veterinary approval.

• Communicable Illnesses: Animals showing signs of kennel cough, ringworm, or parasites (like fleas or ticks) must complete full medical treatment before being booked for shipment.

Identification & Records

Proper identification is your pet’s primary safety net during transit:

• Microchipping: Ensure your pet’s microchip is registered with up-to-date contact information.

• ID Collar: Your pet should wear a secure collar with a physical tag containing the pet’s name, your phone number, and the destination address.

• Photos & Records: Take clear, recent photos of your pet from multiple angles before release to the carrier, and keep a copy of their vaccination records on hand.

Breed-Specific Risks (Brachycephalic Breeds)

Short-muzzled (snub-nosed) breeds face significantly higher risks of respiratory distress when exposed to stress or elevated temperatures.

• Dogs: Pugs, Boxers, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Pekingese, Lhasa Apsos, Shih Tzus, and Mastiffs.

• Cats: Persian and Himalayan cats.

Veterinary Checkup: Always schedule a vet visit prior to transit to secure a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and confirm your pet is fit for travel. If your veterinarian advises against transport due to age or health, listen to their guidance and explore alternative arrangements.

2. Managing Travel Conditions

• Season & Climate: Avoid shipping pets during seasonal temperature extremes. If hot-weather travel is unavoidable, verify that your carrier’s vehicle has fully functional, climate-controlled air conditioning and plans frequent breaks.

• Food, Water & Medication: Pack extra food, essential medications, and familiar treats to account for potential road delays. Provide clear, written instructions for your carrier.

• Mode of Transport & Crate Training: Whether traveling via ground or air, ensure you have all required federal and state paperwork. Secure your pet in an IATA/USDA-compliant travel kennel that allows them to stand, sit, turn around, and lie down naturally. Acclimate your pet to their crate weeks before the trip.

• Cross-Border & Customs: If shipping internationally or interstate, confirm state agriculture and customs entry requirements early to avoid unexpected delays or quarantine at checkpoints.

3. Evaluating Your ShippingHarbor Carrier

Before assigning your booking, use our platform’s messaging system to ask your prospective service provider these key questions:

1. What is your experience with live animal transport? Review their verified feedback and ratings on ShippingHarbor. Transporting live animals requires specialized care far beyond standard freight.

2. What is your exercise and potty break schedule? Confirm how often they stop for breaks and how they safely secure your pet with a leash or harness when exiting the crate or vehicle.

3. Where will my pet stay overnight? For multi-day road trips, ensure you are comfortable with their lodging plans (e.g., pet-friendly hotels or climate-controlled cabs).

4. How frequently will you provide status updates? Establish communication expectations beforehand—such as receiving daily text updates or photo check-ins—while keeping in mind that carriers must focus safely on driving.

5. Are there any additional pickup requirements? Verify crate size clearances, food packing rules, or extra paperwork needed at the moment of pickup.

Important USDA Compliance Note: In accordance with federal guidelines and USDA regulations for live animal shipments, carriers may require payment confirmation or specific payment arrangements at the time of pickup (rather than in advance). This ensures immediate coverage and proper authorization for emergency veterinary care should any unpredicted health condition arise during transit.