many dog owners love their companions almost as much as their children, sometimes even more. A recent Harris survey found that 90% of pet owners think of their dogs and cats as members of the family.
so when your family moves, be sure to devote as much time and attention to ensuring a smooth moving experience for your dog as you do for the rest of your family.
Moving can be extremely stressful for everyone, including your dog, and especially if you’re moving a long distance to a new environment.
Here’s how to select the best way to ship your dog:
You have 4 main methods of shipping your dog: car, ground shipping, airlines, and a professional shipping service.
by car
carrying your dog in the car will provide the easiest transition because it gives you personal control and keeps your companion in a familiar environment.
Using a crash-rated travel case is your best bet to ensure safety. however, if your dog isn’t used to being in a crate, you’ll want to gradually get him used to it. Start by taking him on short trips before your move, then gradually increase the time you spend in the crate so he’s more comfortable for the longer trip.
Don’t forget that your dog’s needs are different from yours. While he may be able to drive for long periods without stopping, your dog cannot. be sure to take breaks at least every 2-3 hours and provide plenty of opportunities to exercise.
Also, your dog needs regular access to water, so plan on bringing plenty of bottled water and make sure he has easy access to it.
If your trip will require an overnight stay, plan your route carefully to include dog-friendly hotels or motels.
It’s also a good idea to have your dog’s medical records on hand in case of emergencies.
However, in many situations, transporting your dog in your own car is not possible or practical; therefore, you must resort to third-party options.
by land transport companies
There are several ground transportation companies that offer door-to-door service. some offer “group transportation,” which means your dog will travel with other animals, as well as “private transportation,” where your dog is the only animal in the truck or van.
These services are generally less expensive than air travel and may be more appropriate for shorter distances.
If you’re considering using a pet ground transportation service, ask the following questions to help evaluate your options:
How many stops does the vehicle make for other deliveries? Unless you have specifically paid for the service, the company is unlikely to provide direct door-to-door service. multiple stops can significantly increase travel time and can cause a high level of stress for your dog.
How many other animals will be traveling at the same time? A variety of pets can be extremely stressful for your dog. you should avoid options where there are multiple types of pets in one transport.
Will your dog be traveling in a climate-controlled environment? While all shipping companies must provide a climate-controlled shipping compartment, not all options are created equal. ask how the temperature is maintained and what type of ventilation is present.
What type of exercise is provided? If the trip is longer than 5 hours, your dog will need some form of exercise. make sure you understand the details of how the exercise is provided. find out if your dog actually walks and is allowed to run, or if he is just let loose in a fenced-in area with other dogs, which can create an extremely stressful or potentially dangerous environment.
Ask about the type of box used? If the shipper provides the boxes, be sure to inspect them ahead of time to make sure it’s large enough and well ventilated. If your dog is not used to being in a crate, you may want to think twice about this option or spend some time before your trip getting him used to being in a crate.
what is the feeding schedule? confirm when, how and what your dog will be fed. if possible, try to make sure your dog gets his regular diet.
if the trip is overnight, ask about sleeping arrangements? find out if the driver will sleep in the vans with the dogs in case special attention is required.
In most cases, especially for longer distances, shipping your dog by air is the safest and least stressful approach.
by air
There are 3 ways to get your dog to a new location.
1. your dog flies with you in the cabin of the plane this option is limited to small dogs transported in a carrier or cage that can fit under the seat in front of you. most airlines restrict the number of dogs and cats in the passenger cabin to 2 or 3.
2. your dog flies on your plane but in the cargo area if your dog is too big to fly in the cabin, you can buy a ticket and he can fly as cargo or accompanied baggage. dogs and all animals in the cargo system are transported in the same pressurized holds as those in the checked baggage system, which are pressurized and set for temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees.
3. your dog flies without you in the cargo area in this case, you are sending your dog on the plane without you. Usually the price of the ticket is higher if he is not traveling on the same plane and the cost will depend on the size and weight of the box.
First, let’s address the issue of security. You may have read a few stories about dogs that were found sick, injured, dead, or occasionally reported lost at the end of a plane ride. While each story is tragic, they represent only a small fraction of the animals’ flight experiences.
Since May 2005, airlines are required to report when there is a pet-related problem in the us. uu. Department of Transportation. Given the fact that the airline industry estimates the number of pets that fly as baggage to be more than 600,000 per year, the chance of your dog having any major problems is actually very small. The chance of your pet being killed, injured, or reported missing when traveling as baggage is approximately 0.009%. this is only slightly higher than your chances of winning the jackpot in a state lottery.
If you’re considering working directly with airlines, keep in mind that they generally won’t ship certain breeds, typically those with short, soft snouts like pugs and bulldogs.
You will also need to provide a crate that meets IATA standards, which requires that the crate be sturdy, well-ventilated, and large enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down freely.
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Finally, be sure to make some sort of contingency plan if your flight is delayed or rerouted due to weather.
by a professional dog shipping company
Given the complexities of shipping a dog, many families find that using a professional dog transport agency is the easiest and safest way to go, and certainly one that provides the most peace of mind.
A professional agency will have the specialized knowledge of airline policies, travel box requirements, boarding accommodations, proper animal identification, and veterinary procedures to ensure the safest and freest travel experience. of possible stress.
Most organizations are run by dog lovers who understand that their companion is a member of their family and should be treated with special care.
click here for more information on how to use a professional service to ship your dog.