Name: Belinda
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: Dogs
Pet Breed: Shih-Poo, Mini Poodle
From: Florida, USA
To: California, USA
Hi PetRelocation,
I've heard way too many horror stories about pets being transported in the cargo area of the plane. I would like to explore non-plane options to get my pet to California.
Does your organization have those type of options?
Thanks,
Belinda
Hi Belinda,
We understand your concerns and have helped to arrange ground transportation for pets in the past, however we do urge you to review a few facts and tips before making the decision to avoid air travel altogether. When the right choices are made, it can be a very safe process.
Here's an overview discussing some of the issues that may be worrying you. Essentially, sad news stories tend to gain more attention than the routine pet flights that happen every day -- this isn't meant to diminish the emotions involved when things do go wrong, but when looking at the numbers you'll see that, by far, most pets fly without incident.
Here are a few tips for minimizing the risks of air travel. When you start with a health screening and a conversation with your vet, choose a pet-friendly airline, and help pets to feel comfortable in their crates, you're on your way to planning a successful trip.
You may weigh all of this information and decide that air travel still isn't right for your dogs. That's fine, of course! In this case you'll want to search for a driver who can safely transport your pets for you. Note that, due to the details and hours involved, driving often ends up being more expensive than flying.
Please contact us if you have further questions, or check out IPATA.org to locate a driver who may be able to help you. There are multiple solutions available when it comes to pet moves, and we'd love to help you find the right one!
Good luck with whatever you decide, and thanks for contacting us with your question.