Handing your pet to someone else for a long drive is one of the harder things a pet owner does. Most people only hire a pet transporter once or twice in their lives, so they don't know what to ask. The questions below come from what we hear from customers, what shows up again and again in pet-owner forums, and what we've seen go wrong in this industry. Ask all twelve. A good company will be glad you did.
1. Are you registered to transport animals commercially?
In the United States, anyone moving animals for hire across state lines or the border should be registered with USDA APHIS as a carrier under the Animal Welfare Act. Ask for the registration number and look it up. In Canada, commercial animal transport falls under the Health of Animals Regulations (Part XII, Transport of Animals), enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). A company that can't explain which rules it follows is a company that hasn't read them.
2. Will my pet travel alone, or with other animals?
Some services run shared routes that pick up and drop off many animals along the way. That can be cheaper, but it also means more stops, more time in the vehicle, and more exposure to other animals' stress and germs. A dedicated trip goes straight from your door to the destination. Neither is automatically wrong, but you need to know which one you're paying for.
3. How long will the trip actually take?
Ask for a realistic schedule, including stops, border crossings and any overnight. If a 1,200 km trip is quoted as a same-day drive with one driver, ask how that's possible without cutting rest breaks.
4. Who is the driver, and what's their experience?
You're allowed to ask who will be behind the wheel and how long they've handled animals. Ask whether the driver has pet first aid training and experience with your species. Someone who's great with Labradors may never have handled a nervous cockatiel or a ball python.
5. What vehicle will be used, and how is the climate controlled?
Look for a vehicle that stays climate-controlled whenever an animal is inside, including during stops. Ask what happens if the air conditioning fails in July. A good answer includes temperature monitoring and a backup plan.
6. How is my pet secured during the drive?
Loose animals in a moving vehicle get hurt in sudden stops. Crates or carriers should be strapped down or otherwise secured so they can't slide or tip.
7. How often will you stop, and what happens at stops?
Dogs need regular potty breaks on a leash in a safe spot. Cats, birds, small mammals and reptiles usually stay in their carriers, but they still need checks for water, temperature and stress. Ask about the plan for your particular pet.
8. How will you keep me updated?
Photo and text updates at set points, plus a phone number that a real person answers, go a long way toward peace of mind.
9. Who handles the border paperwork?
For cross-border moves, ask exactly which documents the company prepares and which ones you need to get from your vet. Paperwork mistakes are the most common reason a pet gets turned around at the border. Our cross-border transport page lists what we handle.
10. What is included in the price?
Get a written quote that lists the base fare and every possible add-on: border crossing, out-of-hours pickup, overnight boarding, airport drop-off and so on. If the company won't put fees in writing, walk away. We publish ours on our pricing page and explain each one on Fees Explained.
11. What happens if something goes wrong?
Ask about their emergency plan: nearby vets along the route, what they do if a pet becomes ill, and how quickly they'll call you. Ask what insurance they carry.
12. Can I see reviews from real customers?
Look for reviews on independent platforms, not just testimonials on the company website. A short track record isn't a dealbreaker for a new company, but they should be open about it and happy to answer detailed questions.
The bottom line
The cheapest quote is rarely the best value when your pet is the cargo. Pick the company that answers these questions clearly and in writing. If you'd like to see how we answer them, request a quote and ask us anything.
Planning a move with your pet?
4Paws Movers offers dedicated, climate-controlled ground transport across Ontario and cross-border into the U.S., plus airport cargo drop-off. Every fee is published.