Whether you are just vacationing with your pooch or permanently relocating, travel with dogs can cause a lot of stress, one of which is figuring out costs of shipping dogs by air.
Many airlines will ship pets without any problems, and the whole process can be as simple as purchasing a pet airline ticket, but you may want something a little more elegant for your Fido, and if so then you will have to look into professional pet relocation services.
RELATED: Dog travel 101: How to ship a dog
Here are some tips and tricks that will hopefully help dog owners find the efficient option for their canines and themselves, as well as give provide an estimate of what shipping dogs by air costs when using professional pet relocation services.
Costs of shipping dogs by air with shipping services
Normally, depending on the size and distance that your pet will be traveling, flying your pet in the cargo hold of a typical airline can cost anywhere from $200 to $1000. Professional pet relocation service pricing will also vary depending on the size of your dog, their temperament, and how far they need to travel.
Also, remember that your pet may need certain veterinary care, vaccinations, and health records in order to fly. This will depend on the shipping service you use and the destination that they are traveling to. These costs will need to be factored in as well, but will depend completely on a case by cases basis and vary greatly.
Other additional costs may be incurred as well including pet insurance which could add another $100 to your bill. Kennels, crates, or carriers can be rented for an additional fee as well if you don’t have your own. If you have one, or can borrow one from someone you know, it will save you between $50 and $550 dollars. The price fluctuates depending on the size of the kennel needed and the features that it offers.
So far, here are the costs you need to account for when shipping dogs by air:
- Actual cost of the service
- Veterinary checkup service
- Insurance
- Equipment (dog crates, water, toys)
In terms of commercial airlines, all prices are very close. One of the best pages that shows you costs of shipping dogs by air is the one from Delta:
Consider the above template your cheat sheet.
Rules of shipping dogs by air
There will always be plenty of rules for shipping dogs by air, too, regardless of whether you choose professional service or simply put your dog on a commercial airline.
For example, Delta has a great page with instructions and advice related to shipping dogs by air effectively and efficiently.
Make sure to read their whole page to see all the restrictions applied to shipping dogs by air (or any other pet for that matter).
How to pick relocation service for shipping dogs by air?
Like any other professional service that you are looking to use for shipping dogs by air, you need to choose your pet relocation service based on their references and qualifications. Online reviews is the best place for that.
Pet transporting services have to abide by strict federal and state regulations, and because they ship live cargo, the requirements to get licensed and certified can be very strict as well.
Here are some examples of well-reviewed pet relocation services:
- https://www.petrelocation.com/
- https://www.airanimal.com/
- https://www.happytailstravel.com/services/pet-relocation
- https://www.petmovers.com/
- https://pet-express.com/
Before you trust anyone to transport your dog you need to be sure they have the proper licensing and documentation. You should also make sure that they have the experience and knowledge to treat your pet with the care they deserve. Question them thoroughly before agreeing to anything. The following are some good questions to get you started:
- How long have you been transporting pets?
- Are you licensed and insured, and do you have documentation?
- What are your fees, including any hidden fees?
- Will my dog be able to get out of his crate at all during the trip?
- What supplies will I need to pack?
- If I have special instructions will you be able to follow them?
Obviously every dog owner should worry about the above because your dog is yet another member of your family and you want to make sure they are cared for as well as possible at all times, not to mention that shipping your pet is pricey.
You need to do your research before you decide who you will let to handle your pet. Whether you decide on shipping dogs by air using commercial airline or a professional pet shipping service, be sure that you and your pet are going to be treated with care and respect.
