Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ - Door-to-Door Pet Cargo Shipping
What is Pet Cargo Shipping?
Pet cargo shipping involves transporting your pet in the cargo hold of a commercial airline. This service is used when pets cannot travel in the cabin with you, often due to size restrictions or specific airline policies. Your pet will travel in an airline-approved, secure, and comfortable kennel in the climate-controlled cargo area.
Is Pet Cargo Shipping Safe?
Yes, pet cargo shipping is designed with your pet's safety as a top priority. Airlines adhere to strict regulations to ensure the cargo hold is both temperature-controlled and pressurized for a safe environment. Before travel, it's crucial to discuss any pre-existing health conditions with your veterinarian. Our team will also coordinate with your vet to ensure all health details are accounted for, providing the safest possible travel experience for your pet.
What Documents are Required for Pet Cargo Shipping?
You will need to provide a health certificate from your vet, proof of vaccinations, and any country-specific import permits or export documents. The exact requirements can vary depending on the destination, so it’s crucial to check with the relocation service or airline ahead of time. Our team will ensure all paperwork is compliant and completed in time for your pets’ move.
How Should I Prepare My Pet for Cargo Shipping?
Ensure your pet is comfortable with their travel kennel by letting them spend time in it before the trip. Avoid feeding your pet within four hours of the flight to prevent stomach upset. It’s also recommended to provide your pet with plenty of water and a familiar item, like a blanket or toy, to help reduce anxiety. We will guide you every step of the way :)
Can I Include Personal Items in My Pet’s Kennel?
Airlines generally allow a thin blanket or towel, a pee pad, and up to two food/water bowls attached to the kennel door. Other personal items are usually not permitted, so it’s advisable to ship those separately.
How Will My Pet Go to the Bathroom During the Flight?
Your pet will remain in their kennel throughout the flight. For dogs, a potty break is provided before check-in, and they are walked again upon arrival. Cats typically remain in their kennel, and accidents may happen, but the kennel will be cleaned if possible during transit or at arrival.
Will There Be Other Animals on the Plane?
There may be other pets on the same flight, but each will travel in their own separate kennel. The airline manages the number of pets in the cargo hold to ensure all animals are safe and comfortable.
Can I Track My Pet’s Journey?
Yes, most airline companies provide real-time tracking updates during your pet’s journey. You’ll receive notifications about their check-in, flight status, and arrival details to keep you informed every step of the way.
What Should I Do If My Pet Needs to Quarantine?
Some destinations require pets to quarantine upon arrival. Your pet relocation service will arrange the necessary paperwork and accommodations for quarantine, ensuring your pet is comfortable and well-cared for during this period.
What is Door-to-Door Vs Airport-to-Door, Etc.?
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Door-to-Door - We collect your pet right from your residence and deliver them to your new residence's front door
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Airport-to-Door - We meet you at the departure airport where you hand off your pet to us to transport to your new residence's front door
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Door-to-Airport - We collect your pet right from your residence and hand off your pet to you at the arrival airport
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Airport-to-Airport - We meet you at the departure airport where you hand off your pet to us and then hand off your pet to you at the arrival airport
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Door-to-Quarantine - We collect your pet right from your residence and transport them to the destinations quarantine station where you will pick up your pet at the end of their quarantine period
What Experience Do You Have With Pet Cargo Shipping?
Our experienced team has helped to relocate thousands of pets to and from countries all across the globe, many of them for Fortune 500 clients. Millions of pets travel by Pet Cargo Shipping every year and it an inherently safe method of transport for healthy pets.
Where Does My Pet Travel With Pet Cargo Shipping?
With pet cargo shipping, your pet will travel in an airline approved travel carrier on a commercial airline. Your pet will travel underneath where the passengers are in a temperature controlled, dimly lit area for their comfort and safety. The pilot is notified when there are pets on board so that they can remotely monitor the area where the pets are.
FAQ - Shared Charters
Where does my pet fly on the plane?
With you of course! All dogs are able to lay on the floor directly next to you on a leash and all cats are able to stay in a soft-sided carrier right next to your feet! We believe your pets belong right alongside you, not under the plane next to suitcases!
Why should I consider flying my pet by private jet instead of as cargo?
While shipping your pet as cargo underneath the plane is certainly an option, flying this way can be an incredibly stressful experience for both yourself and your pet. Pets flying as cargo often cope with the following on their own:
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Loud and unfamiliar sounds
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Temperature and air pressure changes
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Increased anxiety and emotional distress
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More susceptible to breathing issues and possible heart damage
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Other physical injuries whether caused by stress or self-induced such as chewing on a certain body part nervously until it bleeds
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Packed into a plastic, wooden, or metal travel carrier for many hours
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Not just the flight time, but sitting in the cargo warehouse pre-flight, being loaded onto a cart to be taken to the tarmac, sitting on the tarmac exposed to the elements for an unknown period of time, being loaded onto the plane as passengers board, waiting for takeoff and sitting for any delays, etc.​
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What is your cancellation policy?
Your flight will be confirmed once the 75% passenger and pet threshold is reached for the full route (both to and from). We will keep you updated on the status of your flight(s) on a regular basis.
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If your flight (and the linked flight) do not reach the minimum threshold, we may cancel the flight(s). This would be (at the very latest) 21 days in advance of your flight and we would then offer you a 100% refund or re-accommodate you on a future flight. However, we do not anticipate the cancellation of flights as we have received an outstanding amount of interest in Avolar Pets. There are no refunds given unless we cancel your flight(s).
How do I make payment?
You are able to pay by wire or with a credit card and your funds will be kept secure in our escrow account in line with the regulations of the US Department of Transport. Per DOT regulations, debit cards are not accepted.
What experience do you have with transporting pets?
As Directors who worked with Fortune 500 clients for one of the largest corporate pet transport companies in the world, we have been directly involved with the movement of thousands of family pets. Offering extensive knowledge of country-specific health and customs regulations, veterinary consultation, and dedicated passion for providing an unparalleled travel experience for our customers
How are seating arrangements made?
We assign seating arrangements based off the information provided to us in your Pet Profile form that gets submitted once you book your flight ticket. We look at the temperament, ages, and breeds of all pets to try to create a seating plan that will work for all pets. During our meet and greet prior to boarding the jet, we can make any necessary adjustments based on all of the pets' interactions displayed throughout this initial meeting.
What happens if my dog needs to relieve himself in flight?
While most dogs lay down and sleep for the majority of the flight once it departs, we do carry emergency pee pads on board for your dog to use in the event that they need to relieve themselves in flight.
Will you have other dates and routes coming onboard?
Yes! We are always looking to add on new routes that make the most sense to provide service to our customers. You can signup for our Newsletter here to be the first to know of any new routes and dates that have been added. If you have a suggested route for us to take under consideration, you can Contact Us here to let us know the route that you are looking for to be added.