What is the cheapest way to transport a pet? I can count several ways you do this. However, I recommend that pet parent know what they would face when transporting their pets.
Transporting animals from one place to another depends on the animal type and destination.
At various times we need to get an animal or a pet from one place to another, and taking them ourselves is simply not an option.
Thankfully, there are several ways you can ship animals and pets, including planes, trains, and automobiles!
Ways to Ship Animals and Pets
Here are various ways to ship animals around the country or the world.
By Air
Animals are shipped every year in their thousands by different airlines. Focusing on pets, most major domestic airlines (American Airlines, United, and Delta, for example) allow most dogs or cats to fly, except for brachycephalic or “snub-nosed” dogs and cats and a few other canine breed restrictions, such as Pit Bulls.
Some airlines consider animals under 20-40 pounds as a carry-on, including their carrier’s weight. Apart from that, they will be checked and transported with other cargo.
Some airlines, such as Southwest, will not fly pets as cargo, so if you have a large breed pet, they will not be able to make the trip with you.
Many other considerations and restrictions exist based on the airline. For example, American Airlines has the following guidelines that you must adhere to:
- Contact reservations at least 48 hours before the travel date.
- Check-in at the ticket counter
- Allow extra check-in time (though you can’t check pets more than 4 hours before your flight)
- Complete a checklist with an agent
Provide a health certificate
Let it be on record that not all airline accepts pet on all their flights. Pets that have been checked can only travel through regions with moderate temperatures and can only connect through certain cities.
The rules are that you must refrain from sedating most pets (this can cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems due to altitude pressures). There are also restrictions and guidelines for kennels to consider.
By Train
Dogs and cats that weigh up to 20 pounds (including the weight of their carrier) are welcome on Amtrak’s rail if the trip is within the scope of seven hours, it must not exceed it.
Other factors you ought to be aware of if you and your four-legged friend are going to hop on a train:
- Only five pets are allowed per train, excluding service animals, so you must make reservations in advance. The sequence is only one pet per customer.
- Pets are welcome in Coach class only.
- Pets must remain in their closed carrier and under the seat.
- Other restrictions apply, so check your pet’s eligibility on this Pet Release and Indemnification Agreement.
By Sea
This pattern of traveling is the high life! Your pet can travel through the path of New York to Southampton, England, aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, the only ocean liner that allows pets.
The ship has 24 kennels from $800 and up, and a full-time Pet Master takes care of feeding, walking, and “housecleaning.”
Owners can visit their pets frequently and know how they are faring during the journey. Same with airlines, some dogs are prohibited due to size or breed.
By Automobile
Traveling by automobile is the most natural means to transport your pet from point A to point B. (Dogs love car rides).
Even if you don’t make the trip yourself, maybe you are flying cross country or flying in a new pet from overseas. You don’t have to worry because several ground transportation companies specialize in reuniting people with their pets. We’d like to tell you about ours.
I don’t recommend transport brands to pet parents. I allow you to make a choice on how to move your pet.
It is the only pet ground transportation company that requires drivers to be certified in pet handling. As the premier pet ground transportation company, you can be confident that your pet is receiving the highest possible level of service, including:
Two-driver teams
Someone is always attentive to your pet’s needs and will respond to any signs of stress. Sometimes this means getting her out of the crate just to hold her.
Other times it’s adjusting the temperature. You should be assured that our two-driver teams will treat your pet like their own.
24/7 monitoring:
Every RV is monitored every hour with cameras and diagnostics from regional dispatch locations across the country. My Pet Cab is the only pet ground transportation company that offers the assurance of external oversight.
On-call Veterinarian:
Your pet’s overall health, including stress level, is continually monitored during transit. If a driver team has a concern, they contact one of our on-call Veterinarians (24/7).
I recommend you use to develop a good relationship with veterinary clinics and their doctors.
Comfortable and low-stress environment:
Your pet will never be stuck in the back of a trailer surrounded by many other pets in crates. They will be inside a class-A RV where the temperature is always carefully regulated and monitored.
A member of the driver team can attend individually to your pet. Hey—your pet is part of the family! Isn’t that how you would want to take a road trip?
FAQs
How much does animal cargo cost?
The cost of a domestic flight in the US for a medium-sized dog to travel in cargo can cost between USD 500– $1,000
How much does it cost to fly a dog internationally?
Fees are outlined on the Department of Agriculture website and will vary. However, you can expect to pay approximately $2,000 for one dog
What is the cheapest way to transport a pet?
AirTran and Southwest airlines rank among the cheapest, charging less than $100 each, but the two airlines allow pets as carry-on only.
Delta and other larger airlines will transport your pet in the cabin and in cargo (domestic and international), but the cost is higher, sometimes as much as $200 each way.