Practical guides on moving dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, reptiles and snakes safely, from cross-border paperwork to animal care on the road.
Pet transport comes with its own jargon: APHIS, CITES, IATA, transfer of care, brachycephalic and more. This glossary explains the terms you're most likely to run into when moving a pet.
Read the article →Not every delay can be avoided. Snowstorms, heat waves, highway closures and long border lineups all happen. What matters is how the trip is planned so your pet stays safe and comfortable when schedules change.
Read the article →Highway rest stops are busy, noisy and full of hazards, and they're where most road-trip escapes happen. Here's how to handle potty breaks, water and pet checks safely, whether you're driving yourself or hiring help.
Read the article →Every time a pet changes hands, from you to a driver, from one driver to another, or to an airline, there should be a clear record. Here's what transfer of care means and what a good handoff record includes.
Read the article →Many households have a mix of species, and they often travel together. But a dog next to a rabbit, or a cat next to a bird, can be very stressful for the prey animal. Here's how to set up a multi-species trip.
Read the article →The ball python or ferret that's perfectly legal in your current home could be banned in your new city or state. Before you move an exotic pet, check the rules at every level of government, and at every border along the way.
Read the article →You'll see references to USDA registration and CFIA rules on pet transport websites. But what do they actually mean, and how can you check them? Here's a plain-language guide to the regulations behind the credentials.
Read the article →Plenty of people move their own pets, and plenty hire help. Neither is always right. Here's an honest look at the pros and cons of doing it yourself versus hiring a professional pet transporter.
Read the article →The holidays mean busy highways, long border lineups, winter storms and fully booked pet services. If your pet is travelling at the end of the year, here's how to plan ahead and avoid common holiday hazards.
Read the article →Pets on insulin, seizure medications, special diets or post-surgery care need more planning, not a cancelled trip. Here's how to prepare instructions, supplies and a monitoring plan with your vet and your transporter.
Read the article →Panting, pacing, yowling and hiding are all signs of travel anxiety. From desensitization to pheromones to vet-prescribed medication, here are the strategies that make the biggest difference.
Read the article →Every fall, thousands of Canadians head south for the winter, and many bring their pets. Here's how snowbirds can handle the paperwork, the long drive and the return trip in spring.
Read the article →Your pet has arrived. Now what? The first days in a new home set the tone for how quickly they settle. Here's how to help dogs, cats, birds, small mammals and reptiles adjust.
Read the article →Adopting from a rescue in another city or across the border is increasingly common. But a newly adopted pet is often stressed, unfamiliar with crates and not yet bonded to you. Here's how to plan their journey home.
Read the article →Insurance is one of the least-discussed parts of pet transport, but it matters if something goes wrong. Here's what types of coverage exist, what they usually do and don't cover, and what to ask your transporter.
Read the article →Most trips go smoothly, but a professional plans for the ones that don't. From vehicle breakdowns to a pet falling ill on the highway, here's what a proper emergency plan looks like.
Read the article →Feeding on the road is a balancing act: too much food can mean carsickness, too little water can mean dehydration. Here's how to handle meals and water for every species on a long trip.
Read the article →Pet transport quotes can range from a couple of hundred dollars to several thousand. Distance is only part of it. Here's what actually drives the cost, and how to compare quotes fairly.
Read the article →Moving across the border with two dogs, a cat and a parrot means juggling different rules, crates and personalities. This guide helps you build one plan for a multi-pet move.
Read the article →A crate that's too small is cruel, and one that's too big isn't safe. Here's how to measure your pet, which materials work best, and what airline standards (based on IATA rules) usually require.
Read the article →Pets flying as cargo don't check in at the passenger terminal. They go through a separate cargo facility, often hours before the flight, with specific crate and paperwork rules. Here's how it works.
Read the article →Forgetting a medication or a rabies certificate can derail a pet move. This checklist covers what to pack for every species: documents, food, meds, comfort items and cleanup supplies.
Read the article →Lots of pets get carsick, especially young ones. Drooling, lip licking and vomiting are the classic signs. The good news is that there's a lot you and your vet can do to help before a long trip.
Read the article →Bringing home a new puppy or kitten from far away? Age matters, both for their health and for border rules. The U.S. now requires dogs to be six months old to enter. Here's what to know before you book.
Read the article →Older pets often have stiff joints, reduced hearing or vision, and health conditions that need managing. With a vet check and a few changes, many senior pets travel comfortably. Here's what to plan for.
Read the article →If a pet gets lost during a move, a registered microchip is often the only way back home. Plus, microchips are now required for dogs entering the U.S. Here's what to check and update before you travel.
Read the article →Purebred dogs and exotic pets are targets for theft, and a frightened animal can bolt through a door that's open for just a second. Here's how professional transporters keep vehicles, rest stops and handoffs secure.
Read the article →When a transport quote promises to drive 1,500 km in a single day with one driver, ask how. Fatigue is a leading road safety risk, and the pets in the back depend on a driver who is rested and alert.
Read the article →Some diseases can pass between animals and people. That's a real consideration for anyone who handles many different animals, like pet transport drivers. Here's how good hygiene protects drivers, pets and families.
Read the article →Even the sweetest pet can bite when frightened in an unfamiliar vehicle. Professional drivers rely on body language, the right equipment and careful routines to keep both the animals and themselves safe.
Read the article →Guinea pigs and chinchillas are both sensitive travellers, but for different reasons. Guinea pigs need their vitamin C and company, and chinchillas can't cope with heat or humidity. Here's what to plan for.
Read the article →Rabbits are prey animals with delicate digestive systems and a low tolerance for heat. A stressful trip can put them off their food, which is a real health risk. Here's how to keep your rabbit calm, cool and eating.
Read the article →Flat-faced breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, Frenchies and Persian cats have narrower airways that make heat and stress more dangerous. That's why many airlines won't fly them in cargo. Here's how to travel with them safely.
Read the article →It's one of the most common questions in pet travel forums: should I sedate my pet? Most veterinary and airline guidance says no to true sedation, but there are safer options for anxious travellers. Here's the difference.
Read the article →Canadian winters test any road trip. Cold stress, road salt, icy highway delays and warming-up mistakes all put travelling pets at risk. Here's how to plan winter pet transport safely.
Read the article →Small rodents are easy to overlook in a move, but they're sensitive to heat, drafts and stress. Here's how to set up travel containers, handle food and water, and keep the right animals together (or apart).
Read the article →Reptiles rely on their surroundings for body heat, so temperature control is everything. Here's how to pack snakes and lizards for travel, keep them warm but not hot, and stay on the right side of wildlife laws.
Read the article →Canada's entry rules for pet dogs and cats focus on rabies vaccination. But puppies, kittens and pets travelling without their owner can have extra requirements. Here's a plain-language guide.
Read the article →Shared pet shuttles bundle many animals on one route to lower costs. Dedicated trips go straight from your door to the destination. Here's how they compare on price, time, stress and health risk.
Read the article →What actually happens between the moment your pet leaves your door and the moment they arrive? A step-by-step walkthrough of a professional pet transport trip, from the pre-trip check to the documented handoff.
Read the article →Fake pet shipping companies are one of the most common online scams. Surprise "insurance" fees, crates you have to pay for twice, and pressure to pay by gift card are all warning signs. Here's how to protect yourself.
Read the article →Birds are sensitive to temperature, fumes and fright. We cover carrier setup, keeping birds calm on the road, and the U.S. permit and health certificate rules for bringing a pet bird in from Canada.
Read the article →Cats are territorial and routine-driven, so a move turns their world upside down. From hiding the carrier to the first night in the new home, here's how to make travel day easier for your cat.
Read the article →The crate is your pet's safe room for the whole journey, so it helps if they already like it. This step-by-step plan builds crate comfort over a few weeks, with tips for cats and for dogs that have bad crate history.
Read the article →A parked car can heat up by roughly 10°C in ten minutes. Here's how heat affects dogs, cats, birds, rabbits and reptiles on the road, the warning signs of heat stress, and how professional transporters plan around summer.
Read the article →Every dog entering the United States now needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, a microchip and to be at least six months old. Here's what that means for dogs travelling from Canada, and the mistakes that get dogs turned back.
Read the article →Flying is faster, but it isn't always better. We weigh ground transport against air cargo for dogs, cats, birds, small mammals and reptiles, including the breeds and species that shouldn't fly at all.
Read the article →Handing your pet to a stranger for a long drive is a big decision. These twelve questions help you tell a professional pet transporter from someone who just owns a van, and what good answers sound like.
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