Pet Transportation: Animal Safety Tips for Summer 2026

It’s almost that time of the year again – the hot summer months are coming up fast. Pretty soon, we’re going to have to start thinking about keeping our pets cool, at home or on the road. Here are a few words of advice you might want to consider if planning pet transportation this summer.

Know Your Pet’s Stress Tolerance

It’s always a good idea to be aware of risk factors that can threaten your pet’s health:

• When it comes to heat, the most vulnerable pets are those with preexisting respiratory conditions.
• Younger animals are also more vulnerable to high temperatures.
• If you have a young pet or one with preexisting conditions, keep a close watch for symptoms of heatstroke and provide enough water.
• Visit the vet before transporting your pet and gather all important veterinary documentation.

Plan Pet Transportation Ahead of Time to Reduce Risk

In addition to veterinarian advice, also consult your transporter in preparation for pet transportation in summer. Some things to check with the driver include:

• Ensure they have rest stops carefully pre-planned, and that water is available at all times.
• When taking the pet out on a walk, they’ll keep the animal in the shade and avoid hot asphalt.
• Check to be sure the carrier crate has adequate airflow — if you’re not satisfied with their crate, consider providing your own.

If the risk factors seem too high, you should consider delaying pet transportation to a season with cooler weather.

Recognize Symptoms in Time

It’s vitally important to spot the first signs of a pet’s problems with regulating body temperature. These might include:

• Breathing difficulties
• Increased heart rates
• General lethargy

If these early symptoms go unaddressed, the animal may start vomiting or having seizures. As soon as you suspect that a pet is suffering from heatstroke, get it to the nearest vet immediately. Along the way, don’t bother offering water – just wrap the pet in a cool, damp blanket instead.

Never Leave a Pet Inside a Locked Car

You’ve heard this countless times, but it bears repeating — do not leave animals unattended in a car! This is especially important when it’s warm outside, but even in seemingly mild weather, a car’s interior can rise well above 100 degrees within minutes, which can be fatal. And no, cracking a window won’t make a difference. Not to bum you out, but according to PETA, this has caused 140 recorded animal deaths just in 2025.

Conclusion

All this shouldn’t dissuade you from pet transportation in the summer. With the proper precautions, animals can comfortably handle transport even in the warmest weather.

CitizenShipper transporters are familiar with the risks outlined above and understand what steps are necessary to avoid them. You can discuss every detail of the trip with the driver before booking your pet’s trip. Animal care is a team effort — you can keep things cool by communicating and cooperating with your driver. 

If you need to move a pet long distances this summer, choose a pet transporter with experience. Post your shipping job on CitizenShipper today and get quotes from experienced pet transporters within minutes! Booking a pet transporter through our marketplace gives you the flexibility to choose a driver you’re completely comfortable with.

Frequently Asked Questions