Tips for Creating a Pet Shipping Starter Kit

Congratulations on becoming a transporter on CitizenShipper — get ready for a rewarding adventure exploring the country and helping out pet owners! One of the keys to success on CitizenShipper is being extremely professional. 

From the way you communicate with customers to the accommodations you provide during the transport, you should treat this like a business. The most professional transporters are able to consistently find transportation jobs and build their reputation through reviews and testimonials.

To help you on your journey as a pet transportation professional, we’ve compiled a list of items that you should always have on hand during your travels.  

Using Proper Pet Transportation Equipment

As a pet transporter, having high-quality equipment is always a must. As the USDA says in the Animal Welfare Act of 1966, “Ensuring proper animal care and comfort is not just good business — it is also required by law.”

There are several factors that go into being USDA-compliant. Filing the proper paperwork is the first, most simple step. Next, you need to make sure that you have the right transportation equipment. 

Pet transportation isn’t as simple as throwing a couple dogs into the back seat of your SUV and hitting the open road. 

Sturdy Kennels Made From High-Quality Materials

In order to be USDA-compliant and provide your furry passengers with safety and comfort, you need sturdy kennels. If you plan to stack rides and take on multiple passengers, you need to purchase more than one kennel. 

• The kennel must be sturdy, ventilated and leak proof.
• It must be hard-sided with fasteners.
• The animal must be able to stand up and turn around in the kennel.

One of our top transporters recommends RuffLand kennels for small to extra large dogs, while they prefer Impact Dog Crates for XXL to XXXL size dogs.

Pet Accessory Equipment Checklist

• Good quality leashes — 4’ and 6’, get both a standard leash and a slip lead.
• Quality collars — most dogs have a collar but you don’t know what level of quality it is, so bring your own. Our transporter recommends Martingale Collars, size Small to Extra Large.
• Food and water dishes that can be hung on the kennel’s door — this allows the pet to eat and drink as needed without making a stop.
• The transporter we spoke with brings bone broth specially made for dogs, plush wet food in pouches for 
• Pet first aid kit — include items like styptic powder (to stop bleeding) and Benadryl (for allergic reactions). However, you should always ask the owner permission before giving medication to a pet that isn’t yours. Here are more pet first aid tips for transporters.
• Other first aid supplies transporters include in their kit are lemon juice (a breathing aid for Brachycephalic dogs), 90% isopropyl alcohol, Karo syrup (to remedy low blood sugar in small breeds and puppies), and a variety of rolled bandages including CoFlex bandages.
• Bring a saline wash to use instead of hydrogen peroxide.
• Unscented Dial antibacterial soap, either as a bar of soap or in liquid form. 

Cleaning Supplies for Pet Transporters

Good communication and quality equipment is the first step in being a successful transporter on CitizenShipper. But when you actually hit the road, cleanliness is going to be the next big step. 

Maintaining clean and comfortable spaces for your furry passengers is extremely important and a key to being USDA compliant. 

Sanitization Kits for Pet Transportation

Wysiwash Sanitization System and/or Effersan Tablets

After each transport, you must sanitize the crates/kennels that you use for the animals. This is to ensure you don’t spread any contagious diseases between pets and to provide for a comfortable, sanitary experience. Plus, it removes odors from pet urine and other accidents that may happen along the road, making the next trip a much more pleasant experience for you and your next transport.

The gold standard for sanitation in the pet industry is the Wysiwash Sanitation System. This spray sanitizer is used by everyone from pet daycare centers to dog trainers to, yes, pet transportation professionals. Wysiwash offers a variety of products that range in cost:

• The top-tier sanitation system includes a spray nozzle and capsules and costs around $200.
• If you’re looking for a less expensive option, the company also offers Effersan Concentrated Tablets which can be dissolved in water for an effective sanitizing solution, which costs $75 for a 100 count. Smaller packages are available as well.

The solution is effective at killing Parvovirus, Feline Calcivirus, Giardia, and other pathogens. Other products that you can use to sanitize your pet transportation equipment include germicidal bleach like that produced by Clorox, PureBrite or HDX. 

IMPORTANT: DO NOT mix the above products. These are just suggestions of products you should use individually. Please be sure to read the product warnings of every chemical you use for cleaning your vehicle. 

• Bleach + Ammonia = Chloramine Gas
• Bleach + Acids (Vinegar, lemon juice, rust removers) = Chlorine Gas
• Bleach + Rubbing Alcohol = Chloroform

You’re Ready to Start Transporting!

Once you have your driver equipment kit completed, you’re ready to hit the road and start transporting pets across the country. Remember, while good communication and planning are keys to finding initial success on CitizenShipper, being a professional driver who follows USDA guidelines and has the proper equipment will lead to sustained bookings.

Never hesitate to reach out to the CitizenShipper team if you have any questions or concerns about your journey as a pet transporter using our service!