Pet Shipping Companies: What You Need To Know
Here’s the quick answer: Pet shipping companies move dogs, cats, and other animals by air or ground, and they handle the travel plans, crates, and paperwork for you. Domestic pet shipping typically costs $300–$1,200+ per pet. Starwood Pet Travel is our top pick for international moves, Air Animal Pet Movers for air travel, and Blue Collar Pet Transport for pets that need to go by ground, though the right choice depends on your pet, route, and budget. A good pet shipper takes the most stressful piece of your move off your plate, so you can focus on hiring the best moving company for everything else.
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What do pet shipping companies do?
A pet shipping company is a transport service that specializes in moving animals safely, both within the U.S. and internationally. Services differ by company, but most pet shipping companies offer:
- Customized travel plans: The shipper builds the trip around your pet’s breed, health, and the rules at your destination. Those rules vary by state. Texas, for example, requires a rabies vaccination certificate for dogs and cats 12 weeks or older.
- Documentation and compliance: Moving abroad with Fluffy comes with red tape. Pet shippers handle the paperwork, including the vaccination records and USDA-endorsed health certificates your destination country requires.
- Comfortable crates and carriers: You’re probably flying coach, but your pet should travel first class. A good shipper provides airline-approved crates sized for your pet.
- Door-to-door service: Some pet shippers ask you to drop off and pick up your pet at an airport or terminal. Others collect your pet from your old home and deliver it to your new one.
- Round-the-clock monitoring: Many companies track your pet throughout the trip. This helps most on long-haul flights or with pets that get anxious while traveling.
What are the best pet shipping companies?
The best pet shipping companies match the way your pet needs to travel. These four stand out for international moves, air travel, ground transport, and budget-friendly quotes.
Starwood Pet Travel: Best for international moves
With 40 years of experience, Starwood Pet Travel focuses on end-to-end international relocations, from flight booking to customs clearance. The Cape Coral, Florida, company offers door-to-door service to destinations like the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia.
Starwood also runs military and corporate pet relocation programs, and its online Pet Travel Portal lets you track your pet’s trip in real time. It also offers specialized handling for snub-nosed breeds and senior pets.
Air Animal Pet Movers: Best for air travel
Founded in 1977 in Tampa, Florida, Air Animal Pet Movers grew out of a veterinary practice that opened in 1961. That vet background shows in its range: the company moves dogs, cats, birds, fish, and even horses, both domestically and internationally.
Air Animal is an International Air Transport Association (IATA) cargo agency appointed by more than 225 airlines, which gives it more flight options when routes get complicated. It’s also an IPATA member.
Blue Collar Pet Transport: Best for ground transport
If your pet can’t or shouldn’t fly, Blue Collar Pet Transport drives them door to door instead. The Orlando-based company, founded in 2019, runs ground transport nationwide 365 days a year.
Its team includes a veterinary technician, and drivers must pass CPR and first aid certification and background screening. You get real-time updates and photos during the trip, and the company is USDA registered.
uShip: Best for comparing quotes
Rather than shipping pets itself, uShip runs a marketplace where independent transporters bid on your pet’s trip. You list your pet’s breed, age, distance, and care needs, then compare quotes, reviews, and carrier history before you book.
Because transporters compete for your business, uShip is usually more affordable than a full-service pet relocation company. uShip puts typical long-distance pet transport at $350–$600. Its Trust and Safety team requires transporters to show a positive pet transport history, and payments are backed by the uShip Guarantee.
- Online marketplace that connects people with movers and transporters
- Multiple providers compete for your move by offering bids or name your own price
- Make complex moves simpler and more organized
- Secure payment methods once you choose a driver
When should you hire a pet shipping company?
A pet shipping company makes the most sense for long-distance moves. It isn’t a fit for every move, but if any of these apply to you, a pet shipper is probably the way to go:
- International relocations: Moving outside the U.S. comes with documentation and, in some countries, quarantine requirements. A shipper that knows the destination’s rules keeps your pet from getting stuck in legal limbo.
- A packed schedule: Pet shipping companies take the pet side of the move off your plate. That frees up time for packing and hiring movers.
- Health or safety concerns: If your pet has a health condition or special needs, an experienced shipper knows what precautions to take. Ask how they handle medication and vet care in transit.
- First-time pet travel: If you’ve never traveled with a pet, a shipper gives you a lot more peace of mind.
- Exotic or unusual pets: Commercial airlines don’t want snakes on a plane. Animals beyond cats and dogs need specialized care and transport, so let a professional handle it.
How do pet shipping companies work?
Moving with pets comes with a lot of logistics. If you’d rather not plan your pet’s trip on top of your own move (and we don’t blame you), a pet shipping company is your best bet. Here’s how the pet shipping process usually works:
- Initial consult: Most companies schedule a call to learn about your pet’s needs, your concerns, and the requirements at your destination.
- Free quote: Based on those details, the pet shipper sends a quote that lists its services and fees.
- Documentation: The shipper tells you exactly which documents to gather and how to get them. This usually includes a vet health certificate, vaccination records, and any import permits.
- Pet prep: The shipper explains how to get your furry family member ready. That might mean a pre-travel vet visit, crate training, or fasting before departure (nobody wants a messy crate).
- Scheduling and transportation: The pet shipping company books flights or ground transport and arranges any layover care your pet needs.
- Delivery and aftercare: Once your pet arrives, the shipper either delivers it to you or you pick it up. Some companies follow up afterward to make sure your pet is settling in.
Pro tip: If you’re moving abroad, start your pet’s paperwork months ahead, since some countries require blood tests and waiting periods before entry. See our guide to moving pets overseas.
JK Moving customers can use CapRelo, a pet shipping partner, to help move their pets.
How much do pet shipping companies cost?
Pet shipping companies typically charge $300–$1,200+ per pet for domestic moves. International moves cost more, especially to destinations with quarantine rules. Here are typical cost ranges by type of move:
| Type of pet move | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Domestic move (per pet) | $300–$1,200+ |
| Cross-country, shared van | $800–$1,500 |
| Cross-country, private transport | $1,200–$3,500+ |
| Standard international move | $1,500–$6,000 |
| International with quarantine or special import rules | $3,000–$12,000+ |
Your quote can land below or above these ranges. A self-arranged marketplace booking often costs less, while a private, door-to-door trip across the country or overseas can cost well more.
The cost of pet shipping companies varies based on several factors:
- Distance: The farther you move, the more it costs to ship your pet. That’s one reason international pet shipping costs more.
- Your pet: Species, breed, and size all affect the final price. Large pets and exotic animals that need special care cost more to ship.
- Travel method: Air transport is faster, while ground transport keeps your pet out of a cargo hold. The right choice comes down to your budget, timeline, and your pet’s needs.
- Documentation requirements: Vet visits, document processing, customs clearance, and quarantine all add to the total.
- Time of year: Shipping during the busy holiday season can cost more because of higher demand.
- Crate or travel container: Your cost depends on whether you buy your own kennel or rent one from the shipper.
- Add-on services: Door-to-door service, 24/7 monitoring, grooming, and boarding all cost extra. But hey, anything to make Fido happy, right?
When in doubt, get at least three quotes from reputable pet shippers to get a clearer picture of pricing. Budget for the rest of your move the same way: moveBuddha’s Moving Cost Calculator weighs distance, home size, move date, and service level together, so the range you get reflects your actual move instead of a generic average.
How do you choose the best pet shipping company?
A quality pet shipping company treats your pet like royalty. Use these checks to find one that fits your needs:
- Reviews: Read reviews and testimonials from past customers. A mix of bad, so-so, and great reviews gives you a realistic picture of working with that shipper.
- Accreditations: Look for members of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA), which has professional pet shippers in more than 80 countries. You can search its member directory by air or ground service.
- Transparent pricing: Nobody likes “gotcha” fees. Choose a company that breaks down every potential cost in writing.
- Expertise: Check how long the company has been in business and whether it has shipped your pet’s species before. If a shipper has never moved a boa constrictor, go with one that has.
- Insurance and liability: Even careful shippers run into problems. Pick a provider with a solid policy covering injury, illness, and other issues that can come up in transit.
Pros and cons of pet shipping companies
- Experts handle the paperwork
- Specialized crates and care
- Less stress on moving day
- High costs
- Less control during transit
- Potential delays or schedule changes
FAQs about pet shipping companies
What is the best pet shipping company?
The best pet shipping company depends on how your pet needs to travel. Starwood Pet Travel is our top pick for international moves, Air Animal Pet Movers for air travel, and Blue Collar Pet Transport for ground transport.
How long does it take to ship a pet?
Shipping a pet takes anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on distance and transport method. A domestic flight usually gets your pet there within a day, while cross-country ground transport takes longer. International shipments can take several days, especially with quarantine requirements.
Can you use FedEx to ship a pet?
No, you can’t use FedEx to ship a pet like a dog, cat, bird, or hamster. FedEx only accepts a few live animals, such as fish, non-venomous reptiles, and certain insects. Use a pet shipping company instead.
How much does it cost to ship a pet cross-country?
Shipping a pet cross-country costs $800–$1,500 on average with shared-van ground transport. Private dedicated transport runs $1,200–$3,500+, depending on your pet’s size and any add-on services.
What paperwork do pet shipping companies need?
Pet shipping companies usually need a vet health certificate and up-to-date vaccination records. International moves can also require import permits, breed certifications, proof of ownership, and a USDA-endorsed health certificate.
Do I need a health certificate to move my pet to another state?
Whether you need a health certificate to move your pet to another state depends on the state and how your pet travels. Texas, for example, requires a rabies vaccination certificate but not a health certificate. Most airlines still require a vet health certificate issued within seven to 10 days of travel.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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