What is the Cheapest Way to Ship a Cat?

There are many reasons why you’ll need to ship a cat. Maybe you have to move across the country because you got the job that you’ve always wanted. Or perhaps you were tired of the cold winters in Wisconsin and decided to move to Florida. Maybe you just want to take an extended vacation in sunny California. Whatever the reason, you’re looking into cat transport services. And you’re not alone, the Bureau of Transportation reported that 256,114 animals were transported by airlines. 

So what do you do? Research? That’s a start, that’s for sure. But you may find yourself stressing over what travel method to choose. Do you want to drive, hire a ground transport company, fly, or take the train? Don’t fret or stress. We’ll cover what the cheapest way to ship a cat is and what you can expect to pay.

What Are My Options for Cat Relocation?

In order to let you know how much cat transport costs, it’s important to let you know the various options you have for cat relocation. After all, not every option will cost the same. There will be a variety of options with a variety of prices.

Air Travel

Air travel is the fastest way to transport a pet. They do have several requirements that may limit you in various ways. Only cats that are small enough to fly in a carrier placed under the seat in front of you are allowed to be in the cabin. If you have a bigger cat, it will have to fly in the cargo hold in a larger carrier that can accommodate a litter box. Airline policy only allows one or two pets per flight, so it’s important to call beforehand to reserve that coveted pet spot. 

You can also hire an airy nanny to transport your cat. An air nanny is someone you hire to take care of your cat on a flight. They can either be in the cabin with the nanny or in the cargo hold. You will have to buy a roundtrip ticket for the nanny apart from the pet fees airlines usually charge.

Train Travel

Amtrak allows pet transportation, and just like airlines, only small cats (and small dogs) are allowed. Having a cat on board the train only costs $25, but they have to fit in a carrier underneath the seat in front of you.

Ground Transport

The ground transport option is the most popular, as many are out there. You can easily find them online, all you need to do is Google. Some only provide certain services, and it’s important to research which ones provide what. All pet transport services must adhere to the USDA’s rules and regulations in pet handling. You can also go to IPATA for informative articles about recommended pet transporters, fake scamming companies and more.

Driving Yourself

The fourth option you can choose is the do-it-yourself approach. You can simply grab your car and drive your cat to your final destination. It’s an easy option, because there won’t be any regulations or outside requirements besides the documentation you need. This option has several variables that may rack up during the journey, including accommodation, food expenses, car wear and tear, and gas costs.

Using a Marketplace

Another fantastic option is going through a two-way marketplace (like CitizenShipper). It’s a way to save money, and there are trusted, reputable drivers on the platform who compete for your business. You will get free quotes after posting your cat’s transport information on the website. It’s a fairly easy process.

How Much Does Cat Transport Cost?

Cat transport depends on the method of cat transport you will use. For example, train travel will cost you $25 one way on Amtrak, but there are significant restrictions attached to that method. Like stated above, driving yourself may also be attractive, but it eats away at your schedule and costs can incur drastically. 

Let’s take a look at the various factors that affect the price of transporting your beloved kitty to its destination when it comes to ground transport versus air transport.

Distance

Distance plays a major role in cat transport. The reason for that is that it all depends on how you will be shipping your cherished cat. For ground transport, A short journey will be less expensive and a long journey more expensive, since usually companies charge per mile.

But let’s look at air travel. The price usually doesn’t vary too much and sits between $90 to $125 for a one way trip. Of course, only small cats and dogs are accepted in the main cabin. They must be inside a carrier and under the seat in front of you at all times.You can check your animal into the cargo hold, but you run the risk of stressing your cat too much or having them pee on themselves or not be able to eat.

Pet Size/Breed/Type

There are usually restrictions when it comes to pet size. Most airlines don’t accept pets other than cats and dogs. They also don’t accept snub-nosed breeds in the cargo area. 

When it comes to ground transport, size affects cost. The bigger the pet, the bigger the cost. It’s as simple as that. You should look into securing a package deal because it could save you money if you transport multiple pets — cats and dogs mixed may be allowed, too.

Health Documentation

This is probably the most important thing you have to do. Before the cat’s travel can begin, you have to go to a USDA-registered veterinarian and get a health certificate. You’ll also need to ensure all your pet’s immunizations are up-to-date. 

The health certificate costs vary, but usually they run at around a $100-$300 fee. You should check to see what health documentation is required at your destination, as well.

Equipment

Lastly, you need equipment. Why? Safety is important in all journeys — whether it’s by air or ground. You should buy a durable crate to make sure your pet is safe during the entire trek. Crates for small pets range from $50-$100, but larger crates can cost up upwards of $200. You should also consider buying other products like a first aid kit, your cat’s favorite toys or blankets, calming sprays for your cat, and other items.

Is Cat Travel More Expensive by Air or Ground?

Air transport is probably cheaper since most cats can fly in the cargo area. Just make sure in this section you explain that ground transportation is much more comfortable than air travel.

For ground transport, the consensus is that the estimate ranges from under  $1,000 to as high as $5,000. Why the big range? That usually depends on the company and any added benefits (like VIP service or door-to-door delivery) you may want to purchase to make the cat travel experience easier and safer for you and your beloved kitty. 

When it comes to air travel, the estimates can run at a low of $350 to a high of $800, but there are a lot of restrictions that airlines put on pet travel. If you want to hire an air nanny, you’ll have to buy her a round-trip airline ticket, so that total can run up to $1,000 more. So the bottom line is that ground transport is more expensive. 

But… Ground Transport is More Reliable

Look, we know air transport is cheaper, so you may be leaning toward air travel. But sometimes ground transport can be safer and more reliable. Let’s take a look at why.

1. When it comes to flying, most airlines prohibit large dogs and cats, which means if you have a large cat, they will have to go in the cargo hold. 
2. Flying can stress your cat because they are in a confined space for a long period of time. They may not be able to pee or eat for extended periods, which can be a huge problem.
3. With flight cancellations over the holidays, flying can be unreliable because of weather and other factors.
4. Lastly, ground travel logistics are easier and can offer door-to-door delivery, which can definitely ease your stress.

Good Qualities To Look For

When you’re researching cat transportation services, they should have qualities that you can look back at and say unequivocally that you made a good choice. 

Good qualities include:

• They advertise all breeds they allow, so you are not fooled during the process. It’s also essential they give you the prices upfront.
• The cat transporter is always with your cherished cat, and they are the only cat during the journey.
• They offer door-to-door delivery instead of having you drop off your cat and pick them up in another location. This will also relieve stress for you and your cat.
• They communicate well with you at every step and provide regular updates during the journey.
• They have excellent customer service. They pay attention to detail and ensure proper, loving care for your cat throughout the process.

How CitizenShipper Balances Safety and Affordability

Using a two-way marketplace like CitizenShipper to find a cat ground transporter is a great solution if you don’t want to deal with the stress of doing everything yourself, as well as hiring a cat transport company that will be more expensive. You can save money on transportation costs because drivers bid for your business, usually saving up to 60%-70% compared to a traditional cat transportation company.

Using CitizenShipper is Easy!

• Once you post a free listing on our marketplace, a fleet of vetted and background-checked, USDA-registered drivers will send you quotes within minutes. 
• You can compare bids and instantly chat with drivers across our network. Because drivers compete for your business, you’ll be able to choose a quote that is tailored to your budget and needs.
• Once you choose the driver you like best, you’re ready to book your trip! 

Now, a few tips we’d like to let you know of. We don’t recommend booking a driver based only on price. Usually the best transporters charge a little more. You should read reviews, communicate with the driver through the instant-messaging system, and look at past experience before making your ultimate decision. The bottom line is your cherished kitty cat will be in good hands with CitizenShipper’s qualified drivers. The drivers are huge animal lovers who will treat your cat like they are a part of their family. 

We truly work hard to ensure your peace of mind throughout the entire process. CitizenShipper also provides some added benefits for you so you’re even calmer — up to $1,000 Pet Protection guarantee, a messaging system where you can communicate directly with the driver and 24/7 TeleVet access through our partner FirstVet.

Bottom Line

There are a variety of methods and options you can choose from when it comes to shipping a cat. Cat transportation services are abundant on the internet. Sometimes it’s hard to pick just one, and often it’s overwhelming to understand all the cash you could fork over and why. 

The price of cat transportation services can fluctuate depending on different variables. By looking at the list of variables, you will understand perfectly what you will pay and why you will pay for that particular service. Sometimes, however, cat transportation companies have surprise fees that jump at you during the booking process or afterward.

If you want a hassle-free, transparent process, booking a driver through CitizenShipper is for you. It can be less expensive, and there are no hidden fees. Plus, our drivers understand what your precious cat means to you and will make sure they are properly taken care of, with love and understanding during the journey.

By trusting drivers on CitizenShipper to transport your cat, you will rest knowing your beloved kitty cat is in the best of hands. Don’t wait, enjoy a stress-free journey by relying on CitizenShipper for your cat transportation! List your transport now and get free quotes instantly.