| $ $ Air Pet Shipping: $275 - $1,6K | $ $ $ Ground Pet Shipping: $300 - $6K |
It’s not always easy to travel with your pet, let alone to move to another state or country with them.
The last thing any pet parent would want is to leave their beloved pet companions behind, so they would do whatever they can to have them by their side in their new home.
If you are planning to move to another state or another country, you’ll have to start looking at what choices there are to transport your pet to your new location.
In the next few sections, we’ll review some of the basic information about shipping pets and how much you would be spending.
Table of Contents
What is Pet Shipping?
Pet shipping is exactly what it sounds like, shipping a pet from one location to another, especially long distances where it’s not possible to take your pet with you during your trip, or when it’s not safe to do it in that way.
This service is particularly addressed to people that are moving to a different state within the same country or to another country, which would be international pet shipping.
There are mainly two types of pet shipping, by ground or by air.
Ground
These are shipping companies that can transport your pet from one place to another by ground, on vehicles that are specially equipped to transport the pet for long distances.
They will have crates with different sizes or any other container that is suitable for your type of pet.
Air
In this case, it’s usually airline companies that have this type of service, separate from the service of your pet traveling with you.
Your pet will be placed in the cargo area of the plane, which is not recommended for all cats or dogs breeds, so it’s something to keep in mind.
The stress, the pressure, possible layovers can all occur when your pet must travel by air, so it’s not an option for every pet.
You’ll also have to buy an approved travel crate, which can cost from $22 to $165 on average.
For larger dogs, the price could be from $300 to $600.
What Should I Know Before Shipping My Pet?
There are a few things to consider before shipping your pet.
If it’s a domestic destination, you’ll have to look for the specific requirements of the shipping company, so your pet is allowed to travel with them and has every document, vaccine, or equipment necessary.
You’ll have to make the arrangements with enough time to get all the papers and to guarantee that your pet will get there once you’ve already arrived at your destination.
For long distances, try to book direct flights or with as less stops as possible, since this can be very upsetting for your pet.
If you’re moving to another country, you must check the entry requirements of that country and get all the documentation they need.
In some countries, they’ll also ask to quarantine your pet, so it’s better to check that first.
Do I Need to Use a Pet Travel Agency?
This is not an obligation, but it’s recommended when there are a lot of different documents your pet needs, particularly when moving abroad.
Since there are a lot of things you must get in time, some pet parents choose to use a pet travel agency and let them take care of all the things your pet will need to move with you.
So, if you have a tight schedule, it could be a great option, although you would have to pay extra for their services.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Pet?
The price of shipping a pet can vary greatly, depending on the distance traveled, the type of pet you have, the number of pets, if it’s a domestic or international location, and if it’s by air or ground.
By ground, you would be paying from $300 to $6,000, depending on the distance and your pet’s characteristics.
By air, it also depends on the airline, distance, and the size and weight of your pet.
On average, you would be paying from $275 to $1,000, for domestic flights.
If it’s an international flight, it could be from $800 to $1,600.
It’s important to mention that you will also have to pay fees for certain documents that your pet needs, and any other fee that the country where you’re moving into requires.
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