Frequently Asked Shipping Questions
AIRLINE RELATED
Is it really safe for the puppy?
I receive many inquiries on the process of shipping a puppy via airline, my buyers often wonder if it is safe and how it works.
Won't s/he be scared? How long does it take?
Won't it be difficult for the puppy having to be all alone in a crate for so long?
This is how I explain the shipping process to individuals to help them feel more at ease with the process of getting a puppy:
Shipping a puppy is very safe:
Shipping a puppy by itself to a new location always sounds cruel and intimidating for a pup, but actually I think it is harder for us than the puppy. If you stop and think about it, the airlines are not going to mistreat the puppy for fear of lawsuit and customer dissatisfaction.
I will take your puppy to the vet for health papers to ensure they are fit for a flight. Then, my vet will sign a "Breed Verification" form and a "Letter of Acclimation" to let the airlines know that your puppy is not a brachycephalic breed (flat nose) and is safe to fly between 20 and 85 degrees.
Whenever I drop off your puppy in their crate at the airport, the airlines will stick "LIVE ANIMAL" and upward arrows on the crate. Usually I do this already to make their job easier, if I have the stickers. I will tape their food and water bottle to the top of the crate, and a sticker with feeding and watering instructions for when they lay-over (change planes). They will inspect the inside of the crate to ensure I am not trying to pull a fast one. Then, they close the crate and ziptie the door in all four corners. The way they feed and water your pup is through the grid on the door of the crate.
The average flight is approximately 6-8 hours. I always ask about any delays or layovers and know the exact times and departures of the flights, so I know where the pup is at all times. I will give you the information as well. I have rarely ever had any issues with a flight not being on time or being delayed. Whenever I book the flight, I will be given an Airway Bill number that you can track your puppy with on aacargo.com!
The pup will arrive the same day as it is sent--usually a few hours. Your pup will have a cushion in the crate that his siblings slept on the night before and a toy to help the pup feel more secure.
What about shipping in the winter –is it not too cold?
Puppies can be shipped safely between 20 and 85 degrees--AA rules. All puppies ride in the belly of the plane where the temperature is kept at a comfortable 70 degrees--same as for the passengers--and they are the last on and first off the plane. Shipping during this time of year is completely safe. Just like a person getting on a flight to go meet their relatives and/or friends for the holidays, shipping a puppy is very similar-and probably even a little easier. The only thing different about this time of year is that the airlines can be strict on the minimum temperature at each location. I believe it is mainly for their liability and protection. Likewise, in the summertime--they will not ship if temperatures are too hot along the way. I have been turned away for temperatures being one degree over. If this is the case, we will just wait for the next best day to ship or ship earlier or later in the day to combat the hot/cold part of the day.
What is involved in the shipping process?
You will know your pup’s 8 week old birthday once they are born or shortly after. Try to plan a day to get your pup after that date. I will keep the puppy in my care for up to 2 weeks past that date, then I charge $20/day boarding fees.
Usually, I can only book a flight three days in advance so they are aware of the temperatures for shipping. After I have booked the pup, I will call and/or email you with the flight number and times, and location where the puppy is to be picked up. All you need to do is pick up the pup at your airport. You will need TWO FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION, like a driver's license, social security card, insurance card and the Airway Bill number that I give you.
Please bring lots of babywipes, papertowels, and clean bedding with you to pick up your puppy. The door to your pup's crate has been zip tied the entire flight, and if s/he needed to potty, the crate is all they have. Please expect a mess. With the stress of being on aircraft, expect diarrhea, but know that it should clear up by the time you get your pup settled in at home.
Once picked up, I ask individuals to contact me as soon as possible after they receive their puppy, as I'm very anxious to hear about the puppy— if everything went ok, what you think, and any other questions you might have.
It seems lengthy in explanation but it actually goes very quickly!
What is the normal Shipping cost?
I like to use American Airlines Cargo as they have provided me with quality service. (I have used Delta Airlines before and was not very impressed with their service.)
International airports are often the best bet, but I would be glad to check out your local airport to see if shipping is possible. Shipping to Alaska and Hawaii is also available at select times, but may cost more. I am only able to ship within the US at this time, although some of my puppies are in Canada from the buyers driving over to a US airport. Shipping to any state in the lower 48 states is a flat fee of $600, which includes an airline-permitted dog crate, appropriate attachable bowls, and health certificate. Hawaii and Alaska may cost a little more.
If 2 puppies are being purchased at the same time, from the same litter, they can be flown together in a larger crate for slightly more. I typically do not like to sell siblings together for future behavioral issues, please contact me with questions about this if you were wanting siblings.
When sending me your preferred airport, please send 2 different airports that you would be willing to travel to pick up your puppy. I will try my best to accommodate you.
What are puppies fed with?
Our puppies are raised on Victor Hi-Pro Plus with de-coxx granules mixed in as a coccidia preventative. A large portion of their food will be taped to the top of their airline crate, along with a water bottle. Puppies are fed dry puppy food only at this age.
Can I just fly to your airport to pick up my puppy?
YES! I live 10 minutes away from the airport. I can meet you at the airport to give you your puppy, and since it is a small airport, if you need to reboard a plane in an hour or less, it is extremely doable. I have met a buyer who had 30 minutes between flights, and we were able to make it work because the airport is so small. YOU WILL NEED TO BRING YOUR OWN CRATE. Some past buyers have used the collapsible crates from PetSmart. I have seen these same crates at HomeGoods for $19.99. Please contact me and I will send you a picture of one. Your pup will ride under your seat on the way home as a carry-on. Some buyers have said the flight attendants let them hold their puppy in their lap on the flight home, but that may not always be the case.
Please refer to the photos below to know what you can expect when picking up your puppy at the airport:
Is it really safe for the puppy?
I receive many inquiries on the process of shipping a puppy via airline, my buyers often wonder if it is safe and how it works.
Won't s/he be scared? How long does it take?
Won't it be difficult for the puppy having to be all alone in a crate for so long?
This is how I explain the shipping process to individuals to help them feel more at ease with the process of getting a puppy:
Shipping a puppy is very safe:
Shipping a puppy by itself to a new location always sounds cruel and intimidating for a pup, but actually I think it is harder for us than the puppy. If you stop and think about it, the airlines are not going to mistreat the puppy for fear of lawsuit and customer dissatisfaction.
I will take your puppy to the vet for health papers to ensure they are fit for a flight. Then, my vet will sign a "Breed Verification" form and a "Letter of Acclimation" to let the airlines know that your puppy is not a brachycephalic breed (flat nose) and is safe to fly between 20 and 85 degrees.
Whenever I drop off your puppy in their crate at the airport, the airlines will stick "LIVE ANIMAL" and upward arrows on the crate. Usually I do this already to make their job easier, if I have the stickers. I will tape their food and water bottle to the top of the crate, and a sticker with feeding and watering instructions for when they lay-over (change planes). They will inspect the inside of the crate to ensure I am not trying to pull a fast one. Then, they close the crate and ziptie the door in all four corners. The way they feed and water your pup is through the grid on the door of the crate.
The average flight is approximately 6-8 hours. I always ask about any delays or layovers and know the exact times and departures of the flights, so I know where the pup is at all times. I will give you the information as well. I have rarely ever had any issues with a flight not being on time or being delayed. Whenever I book the flight, I will be given an Airway Bill number that you can track your puppy with on aacargo.com!
The pup will arrive the same day as it is sent--usually a few hours. Your pup will have a cushion in the crate that his siblings slept on the night before and a toy to help the pup feel more secure.
What about shipping in the winter –is it not too cold?
Puppies can be shipped safely between 20 and 85 degrees--AA rules. All puppies ride in the belly of the plane where the temperature is kept at a comfortable 70 degrees--same as for the passengers--and they are the last on and first off the plane. Shipping during this time of year is completely safe. Just like a person getting on a flight to go meet their relatives and/or friends for the holidays, shipping a puppy is very similar-and probably even a little easier. The only thing different about this time of year is that the airlines can be strict on the minimum temperature at each location. I believe it is mainly for their liability and protection. Likewise, in the summertime--they will not ship if temperatures are too hot along the way. I have been turned away for temperatures being one degree over. If this is the case, we will just wait for the next best day to ship or ship earlier or later in the day to combat the hot/cold part of the day.
What is involved in the shipping process?
You will know your pup’s 8 week old birthday once they are born or shortly after. Try to plan a day to get your pup after that date. I will keep the puppy in my care for up to 2 weeks past that date, then I charge $20/day boarding fees.
Usually, I can only book a flight three days in advance so they are aware of the temperatures for shipping. After I have booked the pup, I will call and/or email you with the flight number and times, and location where the puppy is to be picked up. All you need to do is pick up the pup at your airport. You will need TWO FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION, like a driver's license, social security card, insurance card and the Airway Bill number that I give you.
Please bring lots of babywipes, papertowels, and clean bedding with you to pick up your puppy. The door to your pup's crate has been zip tied the entire flight, and if s/he needed to potty, the crate is all they have. Please expect a mess. With the stress of being on aircraft, expect diarrhea, but know that it should clear up by the time you get your pup settled in at home.
Once picked up, I ask individuals to contact me as soon as possible after they receive their puppy, as I'm very anxious to hear about the puppy— if everything went ok, what you think, and any other questions you might have.
It seems lengthy in explanation but it actually goes very quickly!
What is the normal Shipping cost?
I like to use American Airlines Cargo as they have provided me with quality service. (I have used Delta Airlines before and was not very impressed with their service.)
International airports are often the best bet, but I would be glad to check out your local airport to see if shipping is possible. Shipping to Alaska and Hawaii is also available at select times, but may cost more. I am only able to ship within the US at this time, although some of my puppies are in Canada from the buyers driving over to a US airport. Shipping to any state in the lower 48 states is a flat fee of $600, which includes an airline-permitted dog crate, appropriate attachable bowls, and health certificate. Hawaii and Alaska may cost a little more.
If 2 puppies are being purchased at the same time, from the same litter, they can be flown together in a larger crate for slightly more. I typically do not like to sell siblings together for future behavioral issues, please contact me with questions about this if you were wanting siblings.
When sending me your preferred airport, please send 2 different airports that you would be willing to travel to pick up your puppy. I will try my best to accommodate you.
What are puppies fed with?
Our puppies are raised on Victor Hi-Pro Plus with de-coxx granules mixed in as a coccidia preventative. A large portion of their food will be taped to the top of their airline crate, along with a water bottle. Puppies are fed dry puppy food only at this age.
Can I just fly to your airport to pick up my puppy?
YES! I live 10 minutes away from the airport. I can meet you at the airport to give you your puppy, and since it is a small airport, if you need to reboard a plane in an hour or less, it is extremely doable. I have met a buyer who had 30 minutes between flights, and we were able to make it work because the airport is so small. YOU WILL NEED TO BRING YOUR OWN CRATE. Some past buyers have used the collapsible crates from PetSmart. I have seen these same crates at HomeGoods for $19.99. Please contact me and I will send you a picture of one. Your pup will ride under your seat on the way home as a carry-on. Some buyers have said the flight attendants let them hold their puppy in their lap on the flight home, but that may not always be the case.
Please refer to the photos below to know what you can expect when picking up your puppy at the airport:
