Pet transportation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What pet transportation is

A driver moves your pet to a vet, groomer, airport, boarding facility or a new home. Pet transportation is planned around the animal's size, temperament and health, with a crate or restraint, a safe vehicle and steady breaks.

Signs you need it

  • You need your pet taken to a vet, groomer or boarding facility and cannot drive it yourself
  • Your pet is moving to a new home, and the move is too far or too stressful to do alone
  • You need a pet taken to an airport for a flight with the right paperwork
  • Your pet is elderly, injured or anxious and needs a calm, careful ride
  • You want a driver who will keep your pet secure, comfortable and on schedule

What the pro does

  • Asks about your pet's size, temperament, health needs and the trip details
  • Checks the crate or restraint, and asks you to provide the right one if needed
  • Loads the pet calmly and secures it in the vehicle for the trip
  • Plans breaks for water, rest and toileting on longer trips
  • Delivers the pet to the destination and hands over any paperwork
  • Sends you updates on the trip and confirms the arrival

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The distance and the number of stops on the trip
  • The number of pets and whether they travel together
  • Whether the trip is to an airport or needs special paperwork
  • Whether the pet needs a crate, restraint or special handling
  • Whether the trip is one-way or round trip, and whether there is a wait time
  • Whether a trip at night or on a holiday is requested

What a written quote should spell out

  • The pickup and drop-off addresses, the time and the number of pets
  • Whether a crate, restraint or special handling is included
  • Whether wait time, stops and breaks are included
  • Which paperwork the driver handles, and which you handle
  • The cancellation terms and what happens if the trip is delayed

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What is your plan for my pet's safety in the vehicle?
  • Do you carry insurance for animals in transit?
  • How do you handle an anxious or aggressive pet during the trip?
  • What paperwork do you handle, and what do I need to bring?
  • How often do you stop for water and breaks?
  • What do you do if my pet gets sick or hurt during the trip?
  • Do you keep the vehicle clean and free of hazards for animals?

Red flags

  • Puts the pet loose in the vehicle with no crate or restraint
  • Will not say how the pet is secured or how often it will be checked
  • Does not ask about the pet's health, size or temperament
  • Leaves the pet in the vehicle unattended for long periods
  • Promises a trip that is not possible given the paperwork or the distance

What you can do yourself

You can prepare for a trip by getting your pet used to a crate, packing water, food, a blanket and any medication with clear labels. Ask your veterinarian about travel health checks and paperwork your trip may need. Hire a pet transport driver for long distances, for an anxious or elderly pet, for airport trips, or for any pet that you cannot safely transport yourself.

Licenses and permits

Rules for moving animals for pay differ by state and country, and some places license or register commercial animal transport. Check with your state and local agencies, and ask the driver which permits and paperwork apply to your trip.

Pet transportation questions

What paperwork does my pet need for travel?

The paperwork depends on the destination, the airline and the state or country. Ask your veterinarian and the driver which records the trip requires, and confirm them before the day of travel.

Will my pet be safe in the vehicle?

A good driver uses a crate or restraint, keeps the pet secured, and plans breaks. Ask the driver to show you how the pet will be kept safe before the trip starts.

What should I give the driver?

Give the crate or restraint if you have one, the food and water, any medication in labeled bags, your vet's contact information and the destination details.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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