There are a number of time consuming steps involved before shipping an animal, including but not limited to:

• Research into most direct flight
• Health certificate(s) and letter of acclimation
• Airline requirements. Determine check in / pick up requirements
• Obtain pet travel kennel, if necessary
• Find/obtain requirements for out of country destinations
• Proper preparation of pet and kennel for flight
• Book airline flight

Preparing your pet for shipping:

The AVMA and Ipata DO NOT recommend that tranquilizers be used- most deaths /injuries in shipping can be traced to the use of tranquilizers. In our experience tranquilized animals " feel funny" and may not understand what is happening, and often become more frantic. Tranquizers also depress respiration and the animal may simply quit breathing.

Your pet does need to become acclimated to it's travel kennel, preferably starting at least a month ahead of time. Start by leaving the kennel in a place where the animal spends the most time. Leave the door open and put a familiar peice of bedding in the kennel, and a favorite toy. Feed the pet in the kennel with the door open for several days, then feed with the door shut for just a few minutes. Gradually increase the time the pet spends in the kennel with the door shut. ( Letting the pet sleep in the kennel in your bedroom is also helpful.) All dogs are basicly den animals( you may notice that your dog often likes to lay behind or under furniture- that's because they feel secure in an enclosed area) Pets that are used to being in a kennel will feel very safe and secure because they are in something familiar and comfortable to them.

ANY type of travel is much safer with the pet in a travel kennel- they can't escape or become a flying object in the car if you're in an accident. We personally know of several accidents where people in the car were killed and crated dogs were not injured.

We also highly recommend microchipping for permanent identification. It is also a good idea for your pet to travel with a BUCKLE type collar (NO CHOKE COLLARS ,PLEASE) with an ID tag on the collar with someone to contact on both ends of the shipment.

All pets must have a Health certificate from a veterinarian dated no more then ten days before date of shipment. Get it as close to shipping date as possible, in case of delays, so you won't have to get another one if it's outdated.

We can advise you what type of crate to get ( the cheaper ones are not safe and we won't let you ship in one that's not safe)- we recommend Vari Kennels. If you need a crate we can arrange to have it shipped to you ahead of time.