Things we Require for Shipping a puppy
- All animals must be at least eight weeks of age at the time of shipping. Any animal over 12 weeks must have a rabies shot.
- You must have a health certificate from your vet not more than ten days old.
- Three copies of the health certificate must be given to us on the day of shipping to accompany the air waybill. If taking the pet on your own, please make the airlines an extra copy of the health certificate for them to keep.
- The original must be placed in an envelope or a clear plastic bag and taped to the top of the crate.
- Acclimation Statement: Please make sure your veterinary puts the required temperature acclimation on each pet’s health certificate for the airline you are using. An inaccurate Acclimation Statement could keep your pet from flying.
- Temperature restrictions for Airlines**
- American Airlines will only ship regular nosed animals from 20-85 degrees. You can check your weather for your shipment by going to our home page before going to the airport. An acclimation statement is required.
- Alaskan Air will ship animals 20-85 degrees and sometimes over that, depending on location. Contact our office for more details on that. They also do not require an acclimation statement on your health certificates.
- **Please keep in mind that when we are talking about the temperatures, your animals can travel in, that these are the outside temperatures. The animals are subjected to these temperatures for only a short period going to and from the aircraft. All Air crafts with ALL Airlines are temperature-controlled and pressurized; otherwise, they can not use those air crafts to fly your pets. Please also be advised, some airlines provide climate-controlled transportation upon arrival in select cities to and from the aircraft. You know your pet better than anyone. Please use your best judgment when temperatures go below or above what you are comfortable with. You may prefer to have your pet travel on a better day.
- All animals must be shipped in an airline approved pet carrier, with a food and water dish attached to the inside of the crate. The crate must be large enough that the animal can stand (its head erect and not touch the top of the crate with its head or tips of ears). Also, it must have enough space to turn around and lay down comfortably.All airline crates must have nuts and bolts placed in each slot on the crate, instead of the plastic twist clips that were previously used. To purchase an airline approved crate, go to our home page and click on resources and then pet crates.
- Shipping Labels:
- Food and water labels, stating the last time the animal was given food and water. Also, shippers and consignees' information. This label should be placed on the top of the crate.
- Live animal stickers should be placed on both sides of the crate with arrows pointing upward.
- Shredded paper should be placed at the bottom of the crate.
- Additional items are not permitted inside or outside of the travel kennel (e.g., toys, blankets, medications, etc.), per airline restrictions.
- Food: A small zip lock sandwich bag will hold enough food for transporting your puppy. It should be attached to the backside of your crate. You may also place some in the food dish inside your pet's carrier. We suggest taking some ice cubes with you to the airport to put in a water dish before dropping off at the airport. IF you are meeting us with the pet, please include a small amount of food in another bag, enough for us to feed the pet at the airport before shipping. We will also put ice/water in dishes before shipping.
- Shipping 2 animals together: You can ship two animals together for one shipping price as long as they meet the requirements below:
- Under six months of age
- Under 20 lbs each
- Of the same size and breed of animal
- The crate must be large enough to accommodate both animals comfortably.
- Please note that Premier Pet Transport will not accept responsibility for paperwork being lost in shipment. If you wish to send your registration papers, shot records, etc. along with your crate, please tape on crate securely with tape. Sometimes, however, during the shipping process, it may get torn off and lost, so if you would rather, you may mail that to your customer. The only thing that we must have on the crate is the original health certificate.
Dogs are not our whole lives but they make our lives whole. -Roger caras
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe for my pet to fly?
- Air travel is as safe for pets as it is for people. Your pet will travel in a special cargo compartment within the aircraft. This compartment is both climates controlled and pressurized for your pet’s safety and comfort, and it is on the same air circulation system as the cabin.
What type of crate should I use?
- Your pet’s crate must be constructed of rigid plastic, wood, or metal, properly ventilated, and secured by metal bolts. It must be large enough for your pet to freely sit and stand with their head erect, turn around and lie down in a normal position. To prevent accidental injury, no part of your pet’s body can protrude through any openings in the crate. For this reason, crates made exclusively from wire are not accepted. We recommend buying your crate from Plasticrate1.com.
What should I include in my pet's crate?
- Toys or medications of any kind are not permitted in or attached to pet crates. Items that can be securely attached to the outside of your pet’s crate include up to one pound (16 ounces) of dry food, one leash, and one flat-style collar. Absorbent material less than 3 inches thick should be included on the bottom of the crate (towels, blankets, or a crate pad; shredded black-and-white printed newspaper, etc.). The crate must also have two dishes (one for food and one for water, or a single divided dish) firmly attached to the inside of the crate. Dishes must be accessible from outside of the crate so they can be filled without opening the door.
Should I sedate my pet before the flight?
- No. Airlines do not accept animals that have been or appear to be sedated or tranquilized.
Should I feed my pet before the flight?
- The USDA requires that your pet be offered food and water within four hours before being transferred to the care of transportation service. We recommend not feeding your pet during the two hours before departure, because a full stomach can cause the animal discomfort during travel. We recommend feeding your pet around four hours before they will be checked in for their flight, if possible.
Can I track the status of my pet?
- Yes. When you drop off your pet for travel, you can enter your airway bill number on your airline's online tracking tool located on their cargo website.
Can more than one pet travel in a single crate?
- Each crate should contain no more than one adult cat or dog, or no more than two kittens or puppies younger than six months, of comparable size, and weighing less than 20 pounds each. No crate may contain both cats and dogs (or kittens and puppies).
What documentation do I need to ship my pet?
- Shot Record: This will show that your pet is current on all shots. Each state has its laws governing the administration of rabies vaccines. Please check with your vet to make sure all vaccines have been administered before your travel date.
- Certificate of Veterinary Inspection: The CVI is also called a Health Certificate. This is a signed document from a veterinarian that states he or she has inspected the animal for diseases and overall health. Your health certificate must not be more than ten days old on the day of departure (the date that it is issued counts as day 1). For international travel, please contact our office for more information as guidelines can vary.
- Acclimation Certificate: This document features regulations about hot and cold weather extremes. Acclimation statements are required when shipping with Delta and American Airlines.