As a service provider, transporting beloved family pets can be incredibly rewarding, but it also presents its own challenges and special considerations. Here's how to make sure that you're providing top notch service and avoiding potential complications:

The Health of the Pet

Make sure to ask questions to verify that the pet is fit for transport. You should request a health certificate from the owner's veterinarian to show that the animal does not have any kind of health issues that may affect other pets in your vehicle or make it a high risk shipment. You will also want to verify that the pet is up to date on all shots and immunizations.

We do not recommend the transport of pets under 10 weeks of age.

The Season and Temperature

We would discourage shipping pets in the heat of the summer. If the customer absolutely cannot wait for cooler temperatures, you should be taking extra precautions to be sure that your air conditioning is fully functioning and maintaining a cool environment. Transportation of live animals in vehicles that do not offer climate control is absolutely not acceptable. Additional breaks for fresh air should also be scheduled.

The Breed

Certain breeds of dogs and cats are at particularly high risk for breathing incidents during transportation. Snub nosed dogs, like Pugs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, some Mastiffs, Pekingese, Lhasa Apsos, Shih tzus and Bulldogs can go into distress easier due to stress or high temperatures. Himalayan and Persian cat breeds carry similar concerns.

Frequent Breaks

Pets need to be able to relieve themselves every few hours. This is also a good time for them to get some exercise and fresh air. During the transition from a kennel or the vehicle, you should take extra precautions to make sure they do not get loose. Make sure you are also feeding and administering any necessary medication in accordance with your customer's instructions.

Communication

Pet transport is not something that your customer has likely experienced before. Entrusting a beloved pet to a stranger can be stressful for the owner. Set expectations for communication and updates, and consider sending photos in transit to ease their mind. If there does happen to be a problem, communicate that to the customer immediately.

Also, as always, let uShip Support know if you have any questions or concerns.