How to Choose a Puppy Transport Service in the USA

Every year, hundreds of thousands of puppies are transported across the United States — from breeders to new families, during relocations, and through rescue networks. Choosing the right puppy transport service is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a new pet owner. The wrong choice can expose your puppy to unsafe conditions, scams, or unnecessary stress.

This guide covers how to evaluate puppy transport services, the difference between ground and air options, what you should expect to pay, and how to use CitizenShipper’s verified marketplace to get competitive quotes from background-checked drivers.

But the question remains, do I need to find a puppy transport service? How do I know the service is legitimate? How do I go about looking for a reputable service? What are the ways to transport a puppy from Point A to Point B? Don’t worry, we’ll answer all of your questions so you can make an informed decision on what to do regarding puppy transport services.

When You Need a Puppy Transport Service (and When You Don’t)

If you are looking for a company that will transport your puppy from your current location to the place you are moving to, then the answer is yes. Unless you want to do the task yourself, it’s best to find a reputable puppy transport company to ensure everything goes smoothly.

But maybe you are looking to buy a puppy and have come across a company that sells them. Before you take out your credit card to get that puppy and have them delivered to your home, it’s best to know what a puppy scammer may look like.

How to Spot Puppy Shipping Scams: 5 Red Flags

According to the Better Business Bureau, pet-related scams — including fake puppy transport companies — have risen significantly in recent years. The FTC warns that advance-fee schemes are among the most common tactics. Here’s a simple list to keep handy when you’re looking for a puppy online:

1. The number one way to identify a puppy scammer is simple. They will insist on using untraceable methods of receiving money, like Western Union or MoneyGram.
2. Their correspondence will not come from their website but from a private email like Gmail or Hotmail. Their phone numbers may also be untraceable. Legitimate places of business will always use professional email addresses and have traceable numbers.
3. They usually advertise their services in fishy places like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Although these sites are legitimate, posting there is free, which means that they don’t have to invest in paid ads.
4. Criminal breeders offer purebreds for a considerably lower price than legitimate businesses, only asking customers to pay the shipping charges.
5. The prices of these fake shipping companies can be very low to make them attractive. Don’t fall for it! Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it’s probably fake!

If a company demands payment through Zelle, Venmo, CashApp, wire transfer, or gift cards with no invoice or contract, walk away. Legitimate puppy transport services provide written agreements, verifiable business addresses, and traceable payment methods.

What Makes a Trustworthy Puppy Transport Service: A Checklist

The best puppy transport services are those companies that stand out from the rest. They are the ones who will take care of your puppy as if it were their own. When you’re doing research, look out for these amazing qualities.

IPATA Membership

The puppy transport service should be associated with a professional pet travel association. Make sure you check out the International Pet Travel Association (IPATA) website to see if the business is a member of one.

• The organization is dedicated to the safe and humane transport of pets.
• The IPATA website has a lot of advice about pet travel, puppy transport services, and how to recognize fake shipping companies.
• The ATA, Animal Transport Association, also has great information you should take a look at before booking a puppy transport service.

Customer Service and Communication

If the puppy transport service has excellent customer service, it means that the company will take care of your pet as if it were their own. When you are looking at their website and communicating with them about what they offer, pay attention to those small details and their customer service quality. If they treat you and your pet with outstanding consideration, then you’ve landed on a good one.

• Communication is directly tied to customer service, and it’s essential for your pet’s safety and your peace of mind.
• If the puppy transport service has good communication skills during the entire process, outlines all fees, and doesn’t have any hidden fees, then that’s a great sign.
• The puppy transport service should also provide regular updates throughout the process.

Pet Safety and Health

This is probably one of the most important qualities to look after. The best puppy transport services’ number one priority should be the safety and health of the pet they are transporting. Period. There should be no ifs, ands, or buts about that. When that is at the top of the list, you know you will have the peace of mind that your puppy will be in safe hands throughout the transport journey and, most importantly, will arrive safe and sound at their final destination.

USDA Certification and Compliance

All puppy transport services should adhere to the USDA’s rules and regulations in pet handling. The USDA requires all commercial animal transporters to hold a Class T (transporter) license under the Animal Welfare Act. This license means the carrier is subject to inspections, must meet vehicle standards, and follow regulated handling protocols. When vetting a service, ask for their USDA license number and verify it through the USDA’s APHIS database.

Climate Controlled Vehicles

The means of transport are always something you should keep in mind. Never hire a transporter that doesn’t have a modern climate control system in their car. Puppies are extremely vulnerable to heat, and should never be in a car that doesn’t have a well-maintained air conditioning and heating system.

Puppy Transport Service Reviews: What to Look For

Reviews are the most reliable way to evaluate a puppy transport service before you book. But not all reviews carry equal weight. Here’s how to read them effectively:

Where to check reviews:

• Google Business Profile (most trustworthy — verified purchase/interaction)
• Better Business Bureau (BBB) — check for complaints and resolution patterns
• Transport marketplace platforms like CitizenShipper (reviews are tied to completed shipments)
• Facebook business pages
• Avoid relying solely on testimonials on a company’s own website — these are curated

What to look for in positive reviews:

• Specific mentions of communication during transport (photo updates, text messages, calls)
• References to the pet’s condition on arrival (“arrived happy,” “clean and fed,” “calm”)
• Comments about the driver’s vehicle (climate control, crate setup, cleanliness)
• Repeat customers or referral mentions (“used them again,” “recommended to my friend”)

Red flags in reviews:

• Generic or identical-sounding 5-star reviews (potential fakes)
• No reviews on any third-party platform (Google, BBB, Facebook)
• Multiple complaints about late delivery, poor communication, or pet arriving distressed
• Company responds to negative reviews with hostility rather than resolution

How many reviews are enough? A credible puppy transport service should have at least 20–30 verified reviews across platforms. On CitizenShipper, every driver has a public review history from verified pet shipments — you can read exactly what previous customers experienced before you book.

On CitizenShipper, you don’t have to take a company’s word for it. Every driver’s profile shows their verified reviews, star rating, number of completed transports, background check status, and USDA registration. You can also message drivers directly before booking to ask specific questions about their experience with puppies.

Ground vs. Air: Puppy Transport Options Compared

There are many ways to ship a puppy. You can travel to the destination yourself, which is very a la Travels with Charley. You can also use train travel. It’s a perfect excuse to try out Amtrak. However, you may not feel comfortable driving long distances with a brand-new puppy, and Amtrak has limited routes.

The fastest way to transport a puppy is by hiring an air nanny to travel with your adorable little pup. The other option is going with a traditional ground shipping company. Let’s take a look at these two options — flying a puppy and using ground transportation for puppy relocation.

Air Transport (Flight Nanny or Cargo)

While air travel is quick and efficient, it’s logistically challenging. You’ll need to buy tickets well in advance for both the puppy and whoever is flying with them, make sure you have an airline-compliant carrier, and hope that there aren’t any weather-related delays or cancellations on the day of the trip.

Some of these logistics can be handled by hiring a pet transportation company that specializes in air travel. They often will be able to take care of booking the flight and other red tape with the airline. Keep in mind that these are premium services and they come with a hefty price tag.

Most puppies are small enough that they’ll fit under the seat and can fly in the cabin. But for your large breed lovers, even a young pup might be too large for in-cabin flight and is relegated to a specialized cargo area. While the cargo area is mostly safe, it’s not humane and can lead to anxiety, trust issues, or personality disorders in your young, impressionable pup.

Ground Transport: The Most Popular Option

The most popular option when it comes to puppy relocation services is ground transportation. There are many companies that offer pet delivery services through ground transport. There are, of course, several factors that will determine the cost. Let’s take a look at them.

• Distance and location of the delivery
• Pet size/breeds (the larger the pet, the higher the cost)
• Health documentation requirements
• Equipment needs

Be careful not to fall victim to the trap of fake pet shipping companies. Look for warning signs, like using untraceable phone numbers or personal email accounts. And, please, never give out personal information before doing proper research and vetting.

How Much Does Puppy Transport Cost?

Puppy transport costs depend on distance, pet size, transport method, and time of year. Here’s what to expect in 2025:

Ground transport: $0.50–$2.00 per mile. A 500-mile trip typically costs $250–$600 for shared transport and $500–$1,200 for private, door-to-door service. On CitizenShipper, drivers bid competitively, so quotes often come in below industry averages.

Air transport (flight nanny): $300–$500+ for the nanny service, plus the cost of a plane ticket ($150–$500 depending on route and class). Total cost for a cross-country flight nanny trip: $500–$1,500.

Air cargo: Airlines charge $125–$500+, depending on pet weight and crate size, but most major US airlines no longer accept unaccompanied pet cargo on domestic routes.

What affects the price:

• Distance (the primary cost driver for ground transport)
• Puppy size and breed (larger breeds cost more)
• Shared vs. private transport
• Time of year (summer and holidays are peak seasons)
• Health documentation requirements

On CitizenShipper, the average pet transport cost is competitive because drivers bid for your listing — you compare quotes instead of accepting a single company’s price.

Ready to see what puppy transport will cost for your specific route?
Post a free listing on CitizenShipper and get competitive quotes from verified drivers within minutes — no commitment required.

Why Pet Owners Choose CitizenShipper

CitizenShipper is the largest pet transport marketplace in the United States. Founded in 2008, the platform has facilitated the safe transport of over 100,000 pets across all 50 states. Unlike traditional pet shipping companies that set their own prices, CitizenShipper works like a marketplace: you post your transport need, and verified drivers compete for your listing with quotes.

What sets CitizenShipper apart:

• Background-checked, ID-verified drivers — Every transporter on the platform passes identity verification and a background check before they can bid on listings.
• Competitive pricing through driver bidding — Because multiple drivers bid on each listing, prices are typically lower than single-company quotes. Quotes often arrive within minutes.
• Real reviews from real pet owners — Read verified reviews from previous customers before you book. You can also chat directly with drivers to ask about their vehicle, experience, and approach.
• Protection for your pet — CitizenShipper offers a Pet Protection Plan and 24/7 Vetster telehealth access so you have support throughout the journey.

CitizenShipper is the #1 pet transport marketplace in the US, trusted by breeders, rescue organizations, and pet owners relocating nationwide.

How CitizenShipper Works

• Step 1: Start by filling out your puppy’s information and specifics about the transport you need.
• Step 2: The minute you post a free listing on our marketplace, a fleet of background-checked, USDA-registered drivers will send you quotes.
• Step 3: Once you receive bids, you can view them, compare them, and chat with the drivers to know more details.
• Step 4: When you’ve found the driver you feel comfortable with, you will be able to choose a quote that fits your budget.

Get Free Puppy Transport Quotes Today

Your puppy’s first trip to their new home matters. Whether you’re a breeder shipping to a buyer across the country or a family relocating with a new pet, the right transport service makes all the difference. On CitizenShipper, you’ll get multiple quotes from verified drivers competing for your listing — so you can choose based on reviews, experience, and price, not just whoever answers the phone first.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does it cost to transport a puppy in the United States?

Puppy transport typically costs $0.50 to $2.00 per mile for ground transport. A 500-mile trip usually costs $250–$600 for shared transport or $500–$1,200 for private transport. Air nanny services generally range from $500 to $1,500 total, depending on distance and airfare.

2. Is ground transport or air transport better for puppies?

Ground transport is the most popular and safest option for most puppies. It allows for door-to-door delivery, climate-controlled vehicles, and regular monitoring, reducing stress compared to cargo flights. Air transport can be faster but is often more expensive and logistically complex.

3. How can I tell if a puppy transport service is legitimate?

A trustworthy puppy transport service should have:

• USDA registration or licensing

• Verified reviews on third-party platforms

• Clear contracts and traceable payment methods

• Professional communication and regular updates

• Climate-controlled vehicles designed for pet safety

Avoid companies that request payment through untraceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards.

4. When do I need to hire a puppy transport service?

You may need a puppy transport service if you're buying a puppy from a breeder in another state, relocating long distance, or adopting from a rescue organization. Hiring a professional transporter ensures your puppy travels safely and comfortably.

5. How do pet transport marketplaces help reduce puppy transport costs?

Pet transport marketplaces allow multiple verified drivers to bid on your listing, giving you competitive pricing. You can compare quotes, read verified reviews, and choose a transporter based on experience, safety, and price, rather than accepting a single fixed rate.