If you’ve ever taken a vacation away from your pet, you probably left them with a friend or for a stay at the local kennel, as pets can be notoriously difficult to travel with. Unfortunately, these aren’t viable options if you’re moving across the country. It’s often necessary to schedule services with a pet shipping company when you’re flying to the new area where you’ll call home due to airline boarding policies. Pet shipping companies operate throughout the United States, specializing in identifying your pet’s needs and meeting them while you travel stress-free.
With so many pet transportation companies offering service, how can you possibly tell which company is best for your needs? Choosing the right pet shipping company can be crucial for animals who have never flown before or who have separation anxiety. Thankfully, there are a number of reputable pet travel service providers to help your furry friend get into their new home safely. From the bustling streets of New York City to the gorgeous beaches of Los Angeles, we’re taking a look at some of the best pet transportation options for moving across the country.
Need to book a move for yourself or other non-furry family members? Get quotes from a few of the best full-service moving companies:
The 5 Best Pet Shipping Companies
Our top recommended pet shipping companies of 2023:
Compare The Best Pet Shipping Companies
| Company | Website | Our Take | BBB Rating | Cost rating |
| uShip | Click here | Best Pricing Control | A+ | $-$$$$ |
| Airpets International | Click here | Best for Pet Comfort | A+ | $$$-$$$$ |
| Happy Tails Travel | Click here | Best for Military Members | A+ | $$ |
| Air Animal Pet Movers | Click here | Best for Pet Health | A+ | $$-$$$ |
| Royal Paws | Click here | Best for Personalized Moves | A+ | $$$ |
uShip
uShip acts as a connection service between families and moving companies, allowing you to name your price and connect with moving companies in your area. Simply create a uShip listing detailing your and your pet’s needs when traveling, name a price that you’re comfortable paying, and allow moving companies to apply for your job. Not sure how much to charge? You can also request that movers submit their own bids for your job as well.
As you receive quotes from moving companies near you, you can compare rates and connect with professionals entirely through uShip’s platform. You can also vet movers on their uShip profile, reviewing previous customer testimonials and reviews before you book. uShip makes it easy to find affordable, reliable pet transportation, no matter where you’re headed.
uShip is not a pet shipping company itself, and it does not actually provide the services you’ll schedule through its website. Instead, the marketplace-style platform allows you to connect with movers in your area that have the expertise necessary when moving your pet. You can currently schedule shipping services for any of the following on uShip:
- Full moving processes for both homes and apartments
- Shipping for vehicles (cars, RVs, motorcycles, and trailers)
- Shipping for car parts and equipment
- Shipping for individual items of furniture and household appliances
- Shipping for livestock, cats, and dogs
- Transportation services for heavy equipment
- Freighting services for both a truckload shipment and a partial truckload shipment
uShip is able to schedule transportation for a wide range of animals, including livestock. However, individual moving companies may refuse jobs at their discretion. Be sure to collect multiple quotes from competing providers before booking your moving services.
One of the reasons why we recommend uShip is that you have complete control over the pricing that you pay. If you cannot reach a mutually beneficial price point with one mover, you can instantly begin reviewing competing companies. While uShip may provide you with recommended pricing on your move, it’s important to know your budget when creating your listing.
State Availability: 50 States
Airpets International
We like that Airpets also offers pet nanny services, which is when a competent and attentive member of staff will accompany your pet in the airplane cabin where the other passengers travel. Airpets International makes sure that your pet can travel in climate-controlled conditions and have access to the same air that the other passengers on the plane breathe. Your pet will be safe and secure in its own crate, providing a more relaxed atmosphere for travel. This add-on service can greatly improve your pet’s mood while flying.
Airpets International can currently provide moving services for the following types of pets:
- Sugar gliders
- Cats
- Dogs
- Guinea pigs
- Iguanas
- Lizards and geckos
- Bearded dragons
- Rabbits
- Skunks (descented only)
- Snakes
Airpets International provides both domestic and international animal relocation services.
In our review, we found that a higher than average volume of Airpets International’s previous customers were often unsatisfied with the price of the services that they received. This may indicate that the company is more expensive than its competitors. However, you can’t be 100% sure what you’ll pay until you request a quote from the Airpets team.
State Availability: AR, CO, LA, NM, OK, TX
Happy Tails Travel
Happy Tails has contacts all throughout the U.S. and in many international locations with pet transport agencies as well as airlines to ensure an easy journey. Happy Tails even provides pet transport to Hawaii, one of the most notoriously difficult pet shipping feats in the world.
Happy Tails offers a very informative pricing chart for different destinations. Members of the armed forces and veterans enjoy advantageous pricing over standard customers, making your pet’s move hundreds of dollars more affordable. Under ordinary circumstances, Happy Tails fills out all international customs forms for your pet and handles every detail of pet shipping to make this experience stress-free for you and your furry family member, like proper vaccinations and medication administration. Happy Tails offers discounts for each additional pet you want to transport after the first pet, which can be ideal for owners of multiple pets.
As a professional pet shipping company, Happy Tails prides itself on offering a complete range of transportation services. You can currently book the following processes with your pet moving package:
- Professional pet pickup and delivery
- Long-distance air or ground transportation
- Assistance obtaining travel cages and vet records required and approved for boarding if traveling by air
- Lodging, if required
- Medicine administration, if required
Your package from Happy Tails will include all of the tickets and documentation your pet requires to fly–all you need to worry about is transporting your own family to your new home. Happy Tails currently only offers shipping services for dogs and cats.
Happy Tails conveniently lists its pricing online, allowing you to get a general idea of what you’ll pay for transportation services. Expenses involved with Happy Tails moving include:
- Air travel consultation fee (priced per pet)
- Ticket fees
- Mailed VIP pet packet fee
- Pet’s airfare (based on weight, breed, and additional factors)
- Vet travel packet (provided for moves to Hawaii and internationally)
- Customs clearance documents (provided for international moves)
Explore pricing using the charts below.
Air travel consultation standard pricing
| Destination | Cost of first pet | Cost of second pet | Cost of three or more pets each |
| Continental United States, Alaska, Puerto Rico | $425 | $325 | $325 |
| Hawaii | $500 | $400 | $400 |
| Continental United States, Alaska, Puerto Rico (round-trip) | $800 | $600 | $600 |
Air travel consultation military pricing
| Destination | Cost of first pet | Cost of second pet | Cost of three or more pets each |
| Continental United States, Alaska, Puerto Rico | $375 | $325 | $325 |
| Hawaii | $450 | $400 | $400 |
Other standard fees
| Fee | Cost per pet |
| Continental airfare | $350 to $1,400 |
| Airfare to Alaska or Puerto Rico | $400 to $1,400 |
| Airfare to Hawaii | $500 to $1,900 |
| Ticket purchase fee | $40 to $90 |
| Mailed VIP pet packet | $50+ |
| Vet packet and application (Hawaii trips) | $200+ |
| Customs clearance fee (international moves) | $850+ |
| Rush, weekend, and holiday fees | $200 to $300 (as needed) |
State Availability: 50 States
Air Animal Pet Movers
Air Animal Pet Movers has been in the pet transport business since 1977; they are one of the most reputable companies in the business and they take your pet’s well-being and safety seriously. They also accept a variety of small pets as well as cats and dogs, meaning that services are not exclusive to felines and canines. If your pet has been injured in the past and you’re worried about how well they’ll fly, Air Animal Pet Movers can be a choice that puts your mind at ease.
You can currently book the following processes through Air Animal Pet Movers:
- Domestic transportation services
- International transportation services
- Health certificate preparation
Though Air Animal does not specify which pets they cover beyond dogs and cats, their company representatives are happy to help you create a custom package for your pet.
The price that you’ll pay for your services from Air Animal Pet Movers will depend on:
- Your destination
- Your pet’s weight
- Where you want your pet to be picked up and dropped off
- The amount of time Air Animal has to plan and book your flight
Review some sample pricing from Air Animal Pet Movers using the table below before you get your free quote.
| Destination | Weight of pet | Booking type | Planning time | Average price |
| Continental US | 31 to 65 pounds | Shared ground transport | 15 to 30 days | $3,500 |
| Europe | 30 pounds or less | Airport to-residence transportation | 15 to 30 days | $4,895 |
| Europe | 66 pounds or more | Private ground transportation services, residence-to-residence delivery | 60 to 90 days | $3,995 |
| Asia | 31 to 65 pounds | Airport-to-airport transportation | 60 to 90 days | $6,195 |
| Australia | 31 to 65 pounds | Airport-to-residence transportation | 60 to 90 days | $9,995 |
State Availability: 50 States
Royal Paws
Royal Paws’ mission is to dedicate everything they do to the pets we all have in our lives and to provide for them with love and respect. Although their primary transport requests are for dogs and cats, Royal Paws does transport other species. They will do their best to accommodate your travel requests. In the past, Royal Paws has relocated ducks, turtles, and even a mini cow to their new homes.
Royal Paws provides a new, fresh litter box for each cat family. Each transport team is made up of two people so they can walk your pet every four hours or more frequently upon request. Since Royal Paws only does private, single-family pet transport, your pet will not travel with anyone else’s. Each move is individualized for one family’s pet transportation.
Royal Paws currently offers the following services to its customers:
- Private dog ground transportation
- Private cat ground transportation
- Other private ground pet transportation
- Updates over the move via Facebook
Royal Paws focuses on customized pet moving packages, which means that pricing is not available online or through an online quote system. Be sure to contact a Royal Paws representative to learn more about pricing for your specific move.
State Availability: 49 States (service not available in Hawaii)
What To Look For In Pet Shipping Companies
There are more things to look for when it comes to pet shipping companies than you might expect. Unfortunately, there are people out there who pose as reputable movers in order to scam you out of your money, and they even represent themselves as legitimate companies that already exist. What else should you look for to make sure your pet’s safety and needs are taken care of on a long-distance journey? Be sure to take the following into consideration before you book your pet’s move.
Locations and availability: In order to begin the moving process for your pet, you will need to see if any pet transport service works in your area and in the destination you’re headed to. This is usually not a problem because the staff who transports your pet will travel to get the pet and make sure your pet safely heads to the destination. However, many pet transport companies do not move pets to Hawaii, so if that’s your goal, you’ll need to make sure to find one which specifically does this (like Happy Tails Travel). If your destination is overseas, you will have to make sure the service you’re looking at provides international transportation and customs documentation for your pet.
Reviews and reputation. Reading online reviews is a must-do when looking up any type of moving company, but it’s even more imperative when you’re searching for a competent mover for your pet. You need to move a member of your family, after all. Once you’ve chosen one or several companies to compare to see which one fits your needs, you should check out reviews. Customer reviews can be useful, but unless the company replies directly to them if there is a complaint, you’re only hearing one side of the story. It’s best to get reviews from a variety of sources so that you can make an educated decision.
Certifications and registrations: You should always check to see if a pet shipping service you’re interested in using is a member of IPATA, the International Pet and Animal Association. They only allow members who have been thoroughly vetted and confirmed to ethically treat and transport animals. You can visit www.ipata.org to see a list of members of this organization. You should also make sure that if you’re moving your pet domestically or into the U.S. from overseas that the company is registered with and approved by the USDA. They should also have extensive and up-to-date knowledge of international pet moving rules and regulations.
What Costs Are Involved with Pet Shipping
As we mentioned above, pet shipping, especially internationally, is never an inexpensive undertaking. Ground transport is usually a more affordable option than air transport. Here are a few other things that make pet shipping, especially international pet shipping, so costly.
Customs clearances: In order to enter (or exit) many countries, you must pay a fee for each pet crossing the border. This fee can be upwards of $600-$800 depending on where you are, sometimes even more. If you’re moving with a pet shipping company, they will usually prepare and file customs documentation on your behalf.
Vet checks: Some pet shippers, like Air Animal Pet Movers, complete health checks on each animal they ship before the trip, and this is included in the overall cost. However, some shippers may not include medical clearance or vet checks in their initial cost and will add that on after you book if your pet requires one.
Rush fees and weekend fees. It is common for companies to charge extra for shipping pets on the weekend for several reasons. The weekends are the busiest time of the week for airlines, so it can be a greater challenge to book a flight for your pet, bringing us to our next point — rush fees. You need to allow a certain amount of time before your move when you book a pet shipper in order to avoid these extra charges. We do know that sometimes life happens and a last-minute move cannot be helped, but if you know you’re moving, plan months in advance to get the best rates on pet shipping services.
Final Thoughts
Shipping a pet internationally or even just across the country can be a dangerous and stressful process. We strongly urge you to consult with a pet shipping company before you plan any major move. The best pet shipment companies will provide you with pricing information well ahead of time, as well as recommend services and other options to reduce your pet’s anxiety before travel.
FAQs about Pet Shipping
How much does it cost to ship a pet internationally?
International moving can cost anywhere from around $400 all the way up to $2,000 (and sometimes more), depending on the size of the pet. A small cat can even cost around $900 to ship, and that’s just a charge from the airline without hiring any pet shipping companies. It depends on where you’re going, but moving a pet internationally is never a cheap endeavor.
What breeds do airlines restrict or ban from flying?
Snub-nosed dog breeds have been massively restricted from flying in recent years due to some deaths of these dogs while in air transit. These dog breeds include English bulldogs, Boston terriers, pugs, and French bulldogs. When it comes to cats, Persians are banned under most airlines’ policies.
Is my pet going to ride in the cabin or in cargo?
This truly depends on what the airlines you’re using allow. Some airlines allow cats and dogs and perhaps even other small pets to ride in the cabin with other passengers. However, it is more common for an airline to place them under the main cabin area of an airplane. Many people mistakenly think that their pet is placed into “cargo” with the rest of the plane’s luggage, but there is actually a separate section under the plane that is properly pressurized, temperature-controlled, and oxygenated. This is where your pet will spend the journey on most flights.
What documents do I need to allow my pet to travel?
You will need your pet’s passport, which holds a record of all vaccinations, and it is best to have your pet microchipped so all of your information can be readily accessed. In fact, many airlines will not allow a pet without a microchip to travel. Your pet will need a rabies titer test (a test that checks for proof of rabies vaccination) in many cases. Some airlines also require a certificate of acclimation for air travel so they know your pet can handle flight. You must label your pet’s crate with a travel ID tag and provide a certificate of veterinary inspection. Be mindful that this certificate must be obtained close to the flight date in most circumstances.
Can you ship a pet by itself?
Yes, and it is not uncommon to do so. Airlines have special procedures in place to help provide your pet with a comfortable, pressurized cabin to travel in. If you aren’t also flying to your destination, a pet shipping company can handle all of the caveats of air travel for pets on your behalf.
Today's Homeowner Rating Methodology
At Today's Homeowner, our primary goals are to be a reliable source of information and to be totally transparent to our readers. With that in mind, we’ve developed the following formula to render objective ratings – on a scale of 10 points – for the moving companies we review.
- Transparency (3.0): Communication and being fully straightforward regarding company policies and licensing are incredibly important. A given mover’s willingness to display these, to supply quick quotes, and to provide clearly-worded moving contracts all factor into the three points within this single rating criteria.
- Cost (2.5): A mover’s cost relative to industry averages, as well as accessibility to cost data play a role in the customer experience as much as anything else. We know that being sure of what you’re paying – and being confident that you’re not overpaying – will ultimately make for a positive move. We’ve weighted cost factors accordingly in our ratings.
- Customer Service (2.0): Establishing an easy line of contact with your movers during the booking process or during the move itself is a huge asset for any moving client. The stress of moving, in general, can be greatly eased by knowing you can talk to a licensed professional whenever you need to, which is why we’ve listed this as a key rating category. This is where customer reviews come into play; since the majority of complaints stem from poor customer service, feedback from BBB, Yelp, Google, and other review platforms factor into this criteria.
- Services Offered (1.5): This rates lower on our priority list than many would think, simply due to the fact that many movers provide a similar line of services. However, breadth of service offerings does still vary to a degree.
- Customization Options (1.0): Having the autonomy to fully customize your move should rate highly on any moving checklist. Here, we’ve taken moving package customization ability, as well as pricing for more involved add-ons. Steep pricing for such services can provide something of a soft barrier for clients looking to add to their move, and we’ve taken this into consideration.
