Both flying and driving a puppy can be safe options with careful preparation and the right decisions. Additional precautions must be taken to ensure the safety of young animals when shipping puppies or traveling with other young animals. Here are a few things to think about in order to ensure that your puppy travels safely and easily:
Ways to Ship a Puppy
The two most popular ways to transport puppies away from a breeder are by air and by land. The ideal course of action for your circumstances depends on timing, distance, and even the weather!
Whether you ship a puppy by ground or air, there are a few steps you must always take. As a reputable breeder, you are aware of the veterinary requirements you must adhere to before making a sale. There are a few extra steps to take if you need to ship the puppy. These include:
Remember that processing the veterinary documentation could take up to six weeks. This must be handled well in advance of your shipping date.
Shipping a Puppy with Airplane Travel
The quickest way to get a new pet to a client who is hundreds of miles away is by plane. They’ll buy a one-way pet ticket for the puppy and a round-trip ticket for themselves. If possible, they should begin planning as early as six months in advance.
You can recommend an airplane nanny through a company like CitizenShipper if your client can’t fly out and pick up the puppy in person. The main difference for you is that the nanny will receive the puppy instead of the client.
The majority of puppies are small enough to comply with airline size restrictions for in-cabin travel. The carrier must fit under the seat in front of you in some airlines, and the weight restriction is typically around 20 pounds (including the carrier).
The puppy will need to be checked as luggage and travel in the cargo area if it’s a larger breed that exceeds those requirements. There are only three airlines that allow pets in the cargo area: American, Alaska, and Hawaiian Airlines. Delta and United suspended this service in 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most pet organizations discourage shipping a puppy in the cargo area.
Check the USDA APHIS website for information on interstate travel. They have a tool that directs you to each state’s requirements for pet shipping. The site recommends that if you have additional questions you reach out to the destination’s State Veterinarian.
What Breeders Should Look for in a Driver
Verify that the driver can easily remove the puppy from the car in case of an emergency and that the vehicle is climate-controlled. For the journey, the dog will require a safe and suitable-sized carrier. Check with the driver because some provide their own crates.
The driver must have a valid driver’s license, insurance, and USDA APHIS registration. Dog buyers and breeders are advised to only work with shippers who have these credentials by pet organizations like the ASPCA and AKC.
Look for pet transportation services that offer a pet protection plan for additional peace of mind. A pet protection plan is a temporary insurance policy that pays for costs associated with accidents, illnesses, and other unforeseen problems for animals while they are being transported. The first and only transport company, CitizenShipper, is pleased to offer a pet protection plan and 24-hour access to a veterinarian for all pet moves.
For further peace of mind, CitizenShipper is pilot-testing a new program by offering select drivers 24/7 veterinary video consultation coverage through FirstVet. Using a mobile app, drivers can receive professional veterinary advice, treatment recommendations, and referrals to a local animal clinic. 65% of cases through FirstVet are resolved remotely and don’t require a vet visit. Knowing that the puppy has access to a licensed veterinarian during the trip will significantly reduce anxiety for you and your client.
FAQ
Can you ship a puppy to your house?
Puppy shipping can be a hassle, but with the assistance of a puppy shipping expert, everything can go quite smoothly. Puppy shipping is actually quite common, particularly when discussing particular breeds. Some rare puppy breeds are only bred in a few select regions of the world.
Can someone ship a puppy?
How to Ship a Puppy. Puppies must be at least 10 weeks old, and you should inquire with the seller to determine whether you should supply a kennel and bedding or whether you should ask your puppy transporter to do so.
Is it safe to buy a puppy online and have it shipped?
It is possible to purchase a puppy safely online, but you must conduct extensive research and stay away from “click and ship” transactions. The safest way to purchase a puppy online is frequently not to do so. In the ideal scenario, you will personally meet the breeder and the puppy you are purchasing.
Is it normal for breeders to ship puppies?
Professional dog breeders avoid shipping their animals, and many won’t let young puppies fly. Responsible breeders want you to drive the puppy home.