Can I Ship a Pet with UPS or USPS? Complete Guide to Pet Shipping Alternatives

Transporting a pet is hard work. You have to plan a lot to ensure everything goes smoothly. You’re probably wondering, “Can I transport a pet through well-established transport companies like UPS, Amazon, or FedEx?” Likewise, you may be wondering if you can ship your pet through the United States Postal Service (USPS).

UPS is a major shipping company in the United States, so it just makes sense that you could potentially ship a pet through them. But the question remains, can you? And can you ship a pet through the United States Postal Service? Spoiler alert: you can’t — so we’ll tackle several other options for you.

Why UPS Doesn’t Ship Pets: Policy Explained

You’re probably thinking that because you can ship almost anything through UPS, you can also transport pets. Unfortunately, UPS only transports other animals if they are going from one zoo to another, or one pet store to another. UPS has a list of prohibited animals. Prohibited animals usually tend to be pets, but also endangered or threatened animals.

USPS Pet Shipping Policy: What’s Not Allowed

I know what you’re thinking: the USPS is a government agency. That means they definitely should accept pets for transport, right? Regrettably, that is not the case — the USPS does not do pet shipping. Just like UPS, they will only accept live animals between pet stores, breeders, and zoos.

5 Safe Alternatives to Ship Your Pet in 2025

So UPS and USPS don’t ship pets. So what should you do? What options do you have to transport your pet? You have five main alternatives. Let’s take a look at them.

Option 1: Air Travel with an Air Nanny

Transporting a pet by air is one common way to get them from point A to point B. There are definitely some advantages, including:

• It’s the fastest way to move a pet long distances.
• If you have a small pet that meets weight requirements, its ticket will be relatively inexpensive.
• If you cannot accompany the animal on the plane, you can hire an air nanny.

Unfortunately, there are even more disadvantages to transporting a pet by air. These downsides include:

• Limited availability for pets to fly — usually one or two per flight.
• Large pets must ride in the cargo area, which isn’t a very humane way to transport a pet.
• You must purchase a carrier that meets airline standards.

Air transportation can be very expensive if you have a pet in the cargo area. Not only will you need to buy a carrier and pay for your pet’s ticket in the cargo area, but you’ll have to buy a ticket for yourself or an air nanny. Those costs add up fast — and while flying a pet in-cabin is less expensive, it’s still usually more than ground transportation.

Option 2: DIY Train Travel

You can also transport pets by train. Amtrak allows dog and cat transportation, but there are several requirements and costs. Here they are:

• Only one pet per passenger.
• The trip cannot last more than seven hours.
• Your pet must be more than eight weeks old and weigh less than 20 pounds.
• Your pet must be under your seat at all times inside a carrier.

Moreover, train travel is an affordable option, costing only $25. Of course, as stated above, this option is only possible if you have small pets. Another obstacle to taking the train is that Amtrak has limited routes.

Option 3: Car Travel

A third option is driving with your pet by yourself. This can be appealing if you enjoy long drives and are comfortable taking care of a pet on the road. While it may seem like a more affordable option, there are many cost factors to consider:

1. Wear and tear on your vehicle
2. Gas
3. Food on the road — for you and your pet!
4. Taking time off from work
5. If it’s an overnight trip, pay for pet-friendly lodging

Option 4: Traditional Transport Service

If you don’t want to drive your pet by yourself and don’t want the uncertainty or cost of air travel, there are traditional pet transportation companies. Over 50 pet transportation companies operate across the United States.

Some of these companies only operate regionally, while others provide service to the continental United States. These companies have varying degrees of quality, so if you choose a traditional transportation service, spend some quality time researching their reputation, customer service, and safety.

One downside of using a traditional service is that getting quotes can be very time-consuming. Typically, you’ll need to call them or fill out an online form, and then you’ll receive quotes anywhere between a few hours and a few days. Then, if you want to get multiple quotes to compare, you must lather, rinse, and repeat. If you’re in a hurry, this isn’t a great option.

Another downside is that many transportation companies are, in fact, dispatch services. If you do speak with someone before the transport, chances are high that it won’t be the same person on the road with your dog for hours or days.

Option 5: Using a Pet Transportation Marketplace

The demand for pet transportation has been growing over the last two decades, and an alternative to the traditional options has emerged. Pet transportation marketplaces like CitizenShipper, a peer-to-peer pet transportation marketplace founded in 2008, offer many of the same services, but with some benefits that run-of-the-mill transportation companies don’t provide.

Multiple Quotes With Just One Listing

One of the biggest benefits of using a marketplace is how easy it is to get multiple quotes within a few hours — and often within minutes! All you need to do is post a single listing on the marketplace, and a fleet of transporters will be alerted. You’ll receive multiple quotes from transporters with varying experience levels and price points.

Internal Chat System Allows You to Get to Know Potential Drivers

Once you receive quotes and messages from the transporters, you can use our internal chat system to discuss trip details. Additionally, you can read reviews from previous customers to gauge the quality of their services.

Robust Driver Profiles Help Make the Decision Easier

Not only that, but every driver has a profile you can browse to see what kind of equipment they use, the vehicles they drive, and just get a general idea of their experience. Typically, the best drivers have a robust profile with lots of details about their experience.

Bottom Line

The transportation method you choose has a big impact on your pet. For many animals, plane travel is much too stressful and can result in mental or physical injury. And while train travel is a nice option, it only works for a small percentage of pet owners.

Choosing a ground transportation provider can feel overwhelming, and that’s why CitizenShipper connects you with background-checked drivers within hours. Instead of spending hours trying to find the best quote, you can take 10 minutes to fill out a listing and have several options come directly to you. If you need to relocate a pet, post a listing on the CitizenShipper pet transportation marketplace today!

Frequently Asked Questions