Patrick MacFarland · Updated February 23, 2024
Transporting a pet doesn’t need to be a stressful process when you’re confident you’ve hired the best pet transport company. Whether you’re moving out of state or simply need to transport your pet from point A to point B, the right pet transportation service makes all the difference.
There are many options, making it difficult to know what the best pet transport service is for your specific situation. We’ll detail the most common pet transportation options so you can make an informed decision.
What To Look For When Choosing the Best Pet Transport Service
When selecting the best pet transport service, there are several factors to consider. These include price, delivery timeframe, flexibility and ease of use, as well as insurance and safety.
Price
For most pet owners, price is one of the most important factors when choosing a pet transport service — if not the most important. Many pet transporters offer a variety of packages that come at varying costs. Compare prices to find the best pet transportation company that fits your budget and provides the services you need.
Experience
While price is important, pets are like family and we want to entrust them with a reputable animal transport service. While it’s possible that brand new transporters will do just as good of a job as a seasoned veteran, on-the-job experience provides pet owners with reassurance. Your peace of mind is worth paying a little extra.
Delivery Timeframe
Another important factor is the delivery timeframe. Depending on the distance and mode of transportation, delivery times may vary significantly. If you need to transport your pet in a specific amount of time, call around to be sure you find a shipping service that can meet your needs.
Another way to find a transporter that can meet your timeframe is to use a pet shipping marketplace like CitizenShipper. First, you’ll receive several quotes from professional pet transporters. Then, you have the opportunity to chat directly with the drivers to coordinate on a schedule. Finally, you book the transport!
Flexibility & Ease of Use
When looking for a pet ground transport company, you’ll also want to consider flexibility and ease of use. Most services offer different levels of flexibility, such as the ability to customize your delivery or make changes to your order. You’ll also want to make sure the service is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Ask the transporter whether they provide extras like GPS tracking.
Insurance & Safety
Finally, you’ll want to make sure the pet delivery service has adequate insurance and safety measures in place. Look for services that offer liability coverage, as well as safety precautions such as temperature-controlled vehicles and experienced drivers. Verify that the transporter is registered with the USDA; while it’s required by law, many transporters aren’t registered.
Tips for Choosing the Best Pet Transportation Service
Once you’ve identified the factors that are important to you, there are a few tips to help you make the best choice for your pet travel needs. Let’s take a look at them!
Research Your Options
The first step is to research your options. Look for ground transportation services that offer the features you need, like if they take multiple pets, as well as competitive prices. Compare different services and read customer reviews to get an idea of what kind of experience to expect.
Read Reviews & Testimonials
Reading customer reviews and testimonials is helpful in determining which pet delivery service is the best for your needs. Reviews and testimonials provide insight into the quality and reliability of a service, as well as how customers were treated. Joining Facebook groups in pet travel can also help because you can talk to actual customers who have experience with transporting their pets.
Compare Prices & Services
Finally, compare prices and services to find the best deal. Prices may vary significantly between services, so it’s important to compare the features and costs to make sure you’re getting the most value for your money.
How to Protect Yourself from Fake Shipping Companies
One thing to always look after is fake shipping companies. Fake shipping companies and pet scammer sites pop up on the web all the time. You need to stay vigilant and know what steps to take to protect yourself. To protect yourself from these fraudsters, follow these essential tips.
- Don’t disclose any personal information to these sites unless it’s a genuine breeder or legitimate company.
- Do not, under any circumstances, send any money through Western Union, MoneyGram, Facebook Marketplace, or a personal bank account.
- If you spot a scammer website, don’t hesitate to report it to IPATA and other sites that publish scammers online, like petscams.com.
- Lastly, you should always contact the authorities and relevant government websites if you spot a fake shipping company or puppy scammer. This will put the government on alert to shut them down quickly.
Bottom Line
Finding the best pet transportation services for your needs can be a daunting task. Consider the factors that are important to you such as price, delivery timeframe, flexibility and ease of use, as well as insurance and safety. Research your options, read reviews and testimonials, and compare prices and services to help you make the best choice. With the best pet shipping company, you can have peace of mind knowing your pet will arrive safely and on time.
Patrick MacFarland has been a teacher, a candidate for public office, and a local tour guide. But now he dedicates his time writing full-time, currently at CitizenShipper and VeraContent.
