How to Ship Animals to Another State: Pets – Dogs, Cats, Birds

Caring pet owners regard their animal friends as dear members of their own family and treat them with the love and respect they deserve.

And this is exactly why when the time comes to ship pets to another state within the country, their safety is a major concern for their respective masters.

Above all, it is imperative that each and every step of the shipping process is planned well: some big decisions are to be made and several important tasks are to be completed long before the actual relocation of the animal in question takes place.

When it comes to shipping live animals across the country, we have prepared this comprehensive guide to the available options you have and the safety measures you need to take to make sure your furry (or hairless) friend arrives at their destination safe and sound.

Read on to learn how to ship pets to another state regardless of whether you own a dog, a cat, or a bird.

Remember that keeping your animal friend calm, safe, and healthy during the transit is your number one priority.

How to prepare your pet for cross-country shipping

Here are the two major steps you have to take when you’re getting ready to move your pets across the country.

Step 1. Visit your family vet

The very first thing you need to do while preparing your pet for a cross-country move is to take them to your trusted family vet or another licensed veterinarian for a full checkup.

Unhealthy animals will have a very hard time on the road and can pose a major threat to other animals during transit. Furthermore, unfortunate circumstances during the state-to-state moving could prove too much for pets who were unfit for travel in the first place.

So, it’s essential that your dog, cat, bird, or any other kind of pet you may have begin the relocation ordeal in good physical health.

Share your future travel plans with the vet and ask them what you can do to significantly ease the stress during the relocation journey of your animal friend.

The doctor may prescribe anti-anxiety medication and can give you some valuable tips on how to make the entire moving experience problem-free.

though sedation when flying is not advised due to possible unpredictable side effects, if your vet strongly recommends that your pet be tranquilized, you’ll be better off following an approved specialist’s advice than your own intuition.

Step 2. Get the paperwork in order

While still at the vet’s office, request a health certificate that proves your loved one is perfectly fit for the trip.

For air travel, that official document is called Airline Veterinary Health Certificate and needs to be issued from 7 to 10 days prior to shipping your pet across the country. Contact your airline to obtain more information about the necessary documentation.

Also, don’t forget to request a copy of your pet’s vaccination certificate, for it may be required either by your airline company, your licensed pet transportation company, the destination state, or by all of them.

Sometimes pets are not allowed to leave the airport if they don’t have the right vaccination shots, so if in doubt, always check with the airport authorities.

How to choose the right shipping container

Regardless of the method you have chosen for shipping your pet to another state (see below), you can’t go without getting a suitable pet container for maximum comfort and safety during transportation.

If you already have a good pet kennel, check again if it meets all the requirements stated below. If it doesn’t, you’re going to have to purchase a new one that does.

1. Size

Your pet kennel should be big enough so that your pal can sit erect, stand, and lie down in a natural position.

Also, regulations require that your animal can turn around freely and comfortably in their shipping container and that their head does not touch the top while they are sitting or standing.

2. Construction

Your kennel should be made of a rigid material (wood, plastic, or metal) and have a solid top and ventilation openings on at least three of its sides.

The door and its hardware parts (nuts, bolts, latches, locking mechanisms) must be made of metal and be in perfect operating condition.

Also, your pet container should have a handle that will enable either you or the transportation personnel to handle the crate without any direct contact with the animal.

3. Additional Requirements

• Your pet carrier should be equipped with a latch on its door. The latter must never be secured with a lock in case your pet needs to be taken out in an emergency.
• The kennel should have removable wheels or be wheel-less altogether to avoid any undesirable movement during the journey.
• Don’t forget to label your pet carrier the right way with “THIS SIDE UP” and “LIVE ANIMAL” stickers. You’ll need to attach your emergency contact information, as well as your pet’s name and recent photo on one side of the crate.
• The pet carrier should have 2 empty dishes (one for water and one for food) fastened inside it but accessible from the outside without the need to open the metal door.
• Make sure you place appropriate bedding or absorbent materials, such as towels and blankets inside the pet carrier.

How to ship a pet to another state

Now that you’ve taken your pet to see the vet and chosen the best shipping container for the trip, it’s time for you to decide how you’re going to ship your animal to another state. Basically, you have two applicable options:

Option 1: Shipping your pet by air

If your pet is not a dog or a cat, call your airline company and check if he is on the list of Accepted Live Animals and will be allowed to be shipped.

If yes, then make a reservation for your pal as soon as possible, regardless of whether he will be making the flight with you or by himself.

Some airline companies permit a limited number of small pets to fly in the cabin with you, so be sure to ask if you qualify for that advantageous service.

Having already acquired the necessary health certificate and the right shipping container, you’re required to feed and water your animal friend no more than 4 hours before you reach the airport.

Once you’re there (at least 2 hours before the departure), check in your pet at the baggage counter if he’s riding with you in the plane cabin or head to the air freight office if he’ll be traveling as cargo.

Option 2: Shipping your pet by land

The road transportation of live animals is considered by many specialists to be the safer of the two options because of the unpredictable effects that high altitude can have on some species.

2.1. Your own vehicle

One good way to transport your pet to another state is to drive them there in your own vehicle.

If your dog, cat, bird, or another lovable animal is not accustomed to riding in your car, then the road trip could become too stressful for them.

You must lessen his anxiety and fears by observing the following 3 rules:

• Take along some household items that your animal is familiar with and likes to be around. Such favorite objects (blankets, toys, food, etc.) will have a general calming effect on your loved one and will make him less nervous and anxious about the immediate unknown.
• Frequent road stops for fresh air and short walks (if applicable) are a great idea for a fairly smooth relocation experience.
• If you need to spend the night at a hotel, never leave your trusted friend in the car on his own but plan ahead and look for a pet-friendly hotel before the trip.

2.2. Pet transportation companies

Professional moving companies that specialize in household relocation list pets as non-allowable items and will not move them for safety reasons.

Luckily, there are professional pet movers who will not only drive your animal to your new home but will make sure your pet stays 100% safe and happy along the way.

Here’s what you must know before hiring the services of a pet transportation company:

• Pet transportation companies must be properly licensed by the U. S. Department of Agriculture as carriers in case they deal with “regulated animals” (no licensing is needed for transporting unregulated animals, such as birds, fish, or reptiles).
• Your future pet carrier should provide suitable insurance that will cover loss, injury, or death of your animal friend while in their possession. Note that pet transportation insurance policies do not usually cover illness or natural death.
• Experience with specific types of animals is a key factor when choosing a professional pet carrier. Hiring pet movers who specialize in shipping cats and dogs may not be the best course of action if you’re looking for a way to relocate your horse.
• Don’t forget to hand the live animal transportation company your pet’s health certificates, detailed instructions on how to reach the final destination, and your contact information in case of an emergency.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire Movers?

Option 3: Shipping your pet by rail

Shipping live animals by train is not really an option for you because Amtrak does not allow pets onboard its trains (except for service animals), in the passenger areas of its train stations, or in checked baggage.

However, Amtrak does have a new pilot program that has been sponsored by the state of Illinois where passengers can now take their small dogs or cats onboard select trains. Learn more about the Amtrak pilot program here.

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