Best Pet Shipping Companies of 2024

Typically, a pet shipping company will offer domestic – and sometimes international – shipping services. With domestic shipping, you can choose either ground transportation (by car) or air travel (by plane). If you’re traveling within the state, it is typically easier and cheaper to choose ground transportation.

If you’re traveling across the country, or to a different state, it might be easier and quicker to choose air travel. However, it also might be more expensive.

Some companies, like Royal Paw, offer private pet transportation services. This can be useful for owners who have pets that are reactive. This can also give you more peace of mind that your pet will be top of mind.

When it comes to international pet shipping services, not as many companies offer this. Only a few of the companies on our list, including Pet Express, offer international shipping, often including the following services:

Depending on the company, there are many add-ons that you can purchase. For example, Airpets International offers a pet nanny, which can help keep your mind at ease. Other add-ons that companies can offer include:

*Tampa, Florida to Jacksonville, Florida – Male, black Labrador Retriever; 65 pounds, six years old.

**NYC to Los Angeles, California – Male, black Labrador Retriever; 65 pounds, six years old.

***NYC to London, UK – Male, black Labrador Retriever; 65 pounds, six years old.

To gauge the general cost of domestic and international pet shipping services, we requested price quotes from each company for the services they offer using an average-sized adult Labrador Retriever. For smaller cats and dogs, overall costs may end up being lower.

When it comes to in-state shipping costs, Happy Tails Travel comes out on top. However, many companies either didn’t offer this service or never sent a quote following our request. When looking at cross-country shipping, Royal Paws is the most expensive by far, coming out to $6,200 for a trip from New York City to Los Angeles.

Some companies, including Royal Paws, didn’t offer international pet shipping services. Happy Tails used to offer international services, but as of November 2023, those services have been temporarily suspended with no date of return specified. Starwood Pet Travel is the most expensive for international shipping, but it is still cheaper than the cross-country services offered by Royal Paws.

Every pet shipping company should have safety measures and protocols in place. This can include having an emergency plan, holding the correct identification, and knowing how to handle a pet properly during transit.

“Always try to select companies that prioritize the well-being of pets. Look for the ones with a strong track record of safety and reliability,” said Dr. Sabrina Kong DVM, dog trainer and consultant at WeLoveDoodles, a site dedicated to dog care and adoption information. “It’s crucial to ensure they follow animal welfare guidelines and have emergency contingency plans.”

This can also include the amount of communication with the pet owner. It is important for a pet shipping company to give constant updates on the whereabouts of a customer’s pet.

Overall, it is relatively safe to ship your pet. However, there are some things you can do to make it even safer. For example, choosing a company that is certified with the USDA and making sure that the company you choose has trained drivers and no bad reviews regarding the safety of pets are important steps.

There are several certifications pet shipping companies should obtain, including an International Air Transport Association (IATA) certification and USDA certification.

You also want to make sure that your pet shipping company has pet transport insurance and a pet care certification. Pet transport insurance is typically only given to those who are USDA-certified.

When it comes to the pet care certificate, it can come from several different companies, including International Boarding & Pet Services Association (IBPSA) or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS).

It is extremely important to read customer reviews before choosing a pet shipping company. These reviews can help you find any red flags that a company might have, like if a company doesn’t take the safety of pets seriously.

For example, Airpets International has a 4.8-star rating on Google with over 200 reviews. Happy Tails Travel has a 4.6-star rating with over 150 Google Reviews. Reading through these reviews, and reviews on other websites like Yelp and the Better Business Bureau, can help you decide on a company.