Getting Pet Transport Quotes is Easy on Shiply

Moving pets and animals

Setting up home in a brand new location is an exciting prospect, but moving house many miles away can be stressful too. Packing and transporting all of your worldly goods and ensuring they arrive safely and intact is of paramount importance.

And of course there is the safe arrival of you and your loved ones – and for many people this includes their pet, a very important and much loved member of the family. If you are planning to transport your cat, dog or fish to a location hundreds or thousands of miles away there are plenty of ways to help make pet relocation as comfortable and as hassle-free as possible for everyone.

Finding a reputable pet mover

Firstly, always be sure to use a reputable pet movers. This means one less thing for you to arrange, and knowing this otherwise complicated procedure will be taken care of gives peace of mind.

There are many pet transport firms in Canada; check out their credentials as well as reviews posted online by previous customers. When contacting the pet transport company have information about your pet on hand. For example: age, size, weight, breed, special requirements, and so on.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the company's service, experience or prices. Do they have specially trained staff that will help settle your pet once the journey begins? What documents are required? And are there restrictions? For example most shipping companies only transport pets at certain times of the year, and not in very hot or very cold climates.

Preparing for the move

Once you have booked pet transport in Canada, your top priority will be making sure your pet will be comfortable during their journey. The International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA), founded in 1979, has regulations for transporting pets to and from Canada and around the world. These regulations include, for example, guidelines for the correct crate dimensions, depending on the size and breed of animal, and stipulating the correct levels of ventilation.

Prior to booking your pet onto his or her special journey, there are a few ways you can make sure they will be comfortable and happy. Help them feel at ease by providing a favourite blanket, cushion or toy. If they are not used to being away from home, consider booking a couple of nights at a local kennel or a cattery, or with a professional pet sitter. Once they see you return, they will be less anxious about time apart in the future. You may also be able to take them to the shipping carrier to get them used to the new surroundings before the travel date; ask the pet transport company for more details.

If your pet is particularly nervous or anxious, there are various remedies available, such as Feliway for cats and Adaptil for dogs. These remedies come in spray form and release pheromones that help calm and reassure pets when anxious. You can ask pet shipping companies in Canada to use these inside a travel kennel or crate, or on bedding.