Why a checklist helps
Pet transport is a service you cannot watch happen. Clear answers before you book replace guesswork with facts. Use this checklist with any company, including ours.
Ten things to confirm
- Ground only or any flying? Know whether your pet will fly at any point.
- A handler throughout. Is someone with your pet from pickup to delivery?
- Climate control. Is the vehicle climate-controlled for the whole trip?
- Crating. Are cats and small pets crated for the whole trip, and what is the plan for dogs?
- Private or combined. Are other owners' pets on the trip?
- Breaks. How often are rest, feeding and exercise stops?
- Updates. How will you hear how your pet is doing?
- Registration. Is the carrier registered, and can you verify the number? Happy Arrival Pets is a USDA APHIS registered Class T carrier.
- The quote. Is it fixed, and what is included?
- Paperwork. What vaccination records and health certificates does your route need? See interstate pet transport requirements.
Red flags
- Vague answers about who will be with your pet.
- A price that changes after you book.
- No way to reach anyone during the trip.
- Pressure to pay in full before you have written terms.
How to verify each answer
- Registration: ask for the number and check that it is current.
- Insurance: ask what it covers, and get it in writing.
- Vehicle: ask about temperature control and ventilation, and whether you can see photos.
- Crating: ask how crates are sized, secured and cleaned.
- Updates: ask for an example of the kind of update you will receive.
Documents worth asking for
- A written quote with what is included.
- A written terms sheet covering deposit, payment and cancellation.
- A registration number you can verify.
- A list of the paperwork you need to provide.
What a safe vehicle looks like
The details matter. A safe pet transport vehicle has working climate control, good ventilation, crates that are sized to the animals and secured so they cannot shift, and space to reach animals at stops. Ask how animals are protected from heat and cold, what the handler does if the vehicle has a problem, and what the plan is for breakdowns.
Safety at stops
- Animals are on a secure leash or harness when out of the crate.
- Crates are never opened near a road or unfenced area.
- Identification, including a microchip and tag, is current.
- Water is offered regularly, and animals are monitored for signs of stress or illness.
A plan for delays and weather
Weather, road closures and traffic can change a schedule, and honest transporters tell you so. What matters is the plan: how will you be told, who decides what to do, and how are animals kept comfortable if a delay is long? Ask these before you book.
After delivery
- Check your pet over, and offer water and a quiet place.
- Confirm that everything you sent has come back with them.
- Note anything that concerns you and tell your transporter promptly.
- Contact your veterinarian if your pet seems unwell.
Before pickup
Read the preparation checklist, then confirm your pickup window and share any special instructions in writing.