SERVICES

Pet transport services we cover.

Six service tiers, from a $40 local pet taxi run to international relocation. Real 2026 pricing, paperwork handled, vetted operators — pick the tier that fits your trip.

Pet transport pricing is opaque on purpose. Marketplaces and operators advertise teaser rates, then layer on door-to-door fees, expedited timing, weight tiers, and brachycephalic surcharges. We pull real quotes from 17+ operators every month and publish the actual ranges below.

Pick the tier that fits your trip, then submit a quote request to get matched with vetted operators within 24 hours.

Service tiers at a glance

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Pricing by service tier

ServiceDistanceTypical 2026 costBest for
Local pet taxi0–25 mi$40 – $120Vet runs, grooming, daycare drop-offs
Regional ground25–500 mi$200 – $800Same-state moves, short relocations
Cross-country ground500–3,000 mi$1,000 – $2,500Long moves, anxious flyers, brachycephalic breeds
Flight nannyany$500 – $1,500Small pets in-cabin, owner not flying
Air cargoany$379 – $3,500Cross-Pacific, time-critical, healthy adult pets
Internationalcross-border$2,000 – $8,000Spain, UK, Germany, Australia, Japan
Private jetany$5,000 – $25,000+Luxury, multi-pet, snub-nosed breeds, concierge

All prices are quotes pulled May 2026 from 17 vetted operators. Actual quotes vary by route, season, breed, and timing. Try our free calculator for a route-specific estimate.

Each service tier, in detail

1. Local pet taxi — $40–$120

Short-distance rides under 25 miles. The driver picks up your pet at your door, secures them in a crate or harness, and delivers to a vet, groomer, daycare, kennel, or another home. Typical trip is 30–60 minutes door-to-door. Most local pet taxi rides book within 24 hours; same-day available with a $20–$40 surcharge.

Best for: vet appointments, grooming runs, daycare/boarding drop-offs, airport drop-offs, post-surgery rides home. Includes: climate-controlled vehicle, crate or harness restraint, single point of contact, 24-hour booking. Doesn’t include: overnight kenneling, route across state lines (use Regional Ground for that). Read the full pet taxi guide.

2. Regional ground — $200–$800

Same-state or cross-state-border ground transport, 25–500 miles. Typical timeline is same-day to 48 hours depending on the route. Operators handle one-pet private vehicles or shared 3–5 pet routes. Brachycephalic-friendly (no airline ban concerns at this distance).

Best for: moves within or between adjacent states, post-rescue transports, breeders shipping puppies in-state, military PCS short hauls. Includes: climate control, crate, walk + water breaks every 3–4 hours, real-time text updates. Booking lead time: 3–7 days for shared, 1–3 days for private.

3. Cross-country ground — $1,000–$2,500

500–3,000 miles by ground. The most common service tier for full coast-to-coast moves and the only viable option for brachycephalic breeds (bulldogs, pugs, boxers) since most US airlines ban them from cargo. Shared transport runs 4–6 days; private dedicated runs 3–4 days.

Best for: coast-to-coast moves, anxious or elderly pets, post-surgical pets, brachycephalic breeds, multi-pet households. Includes: daily walks, supervised rest stops, in-transit photos, climate-controlled crate compartments. Add-ons: private dedicated vehicle (+$400–$800), express timing (+$200–$600). See full long-distance cost breakdown.

4. Flight nanny — $500–$1,500

A trained handler flies with your pet in-cabin (small dogs, cats, rabbits) or escorts them through cargo handoffs. The handler picks up your pet at your home, navigates airport check-in, monitors them throughout the flight, and delivers door-to-door at the destination. Best for owners who can’t fly themselves but want a human watching the pet through the trip.

Best for: small pets (under 20 lb), owners not traveling, pets with separation anxiety. Includes: handler airfare, in-cabin pet fee, door-to-door delivery on both ends, real-time updates. Doesn’t include: overnight stays at destination (extra $200–$400 if needed). Booking lead time: 7–14 days.

5. Air cargo — $379–$3,500

Pet flies in the climate-controlled hold of a passenger or dedicated cargo flight, in an IATA-compliant crate. Fastest option for cross-Pacific (Hawaii, Asia) and time-critical relocations. Healthy adult pets only — brachycephalic breeds banned from cargo on most US carriers (United, American, Delta, Alaska). Detailed airline-by-airline rules in our airline pet policy guides.

Best for: Hawaii ⇄ mainland, Pacific or Atlantic crossings, military PCS with a deadline. Includes: IATA crate prep, USDA-compliant paperwork, airline cargo booking, transit-hub monitoring (Houston IAH, Cleveland CLE, Schiphol AMS). Restrictions: no brachycephalic, no pets under 8 weeks (16 weeks international), no embargo dates without ground-transport contingency.

6. International relocation — $2,000–$8,000

End-to-end international pet shipping including microchip, rabies vaccination timing, USDA APHIS endorsement, destination customs clearance, and door-to-door delivery on both sides. Required lead time is dictated by the destination country: Spain (60 days minimum), UK (90 days), Australia (180 days for non-Class-1 countries). We handle the full paperwork chain.

Best for: EU, UK, Hawaii, Australia, Japan, Canada relocation. Includes: all paperwork, USDA endorsement, IATA crate, customs handling, two-side door-to-door. Doesn’t include: mandatory quarantine fees (Australia $1,500+, Hawaii $1,000+ for non-Direct-Release pets). See country-specific guides.

7. Private jet — $5,000–$25,000+

Charter or shared private-jet pet transport — Bark Air, K9 Jets, Set Jet model. Pet rides in the cabin with you (or a courier), no cargo handoffs, no breed restrictions, no quarantine for the flight itself. Cross-country one-way for two passengers + pet runs $5,000–$8,500 on shared service; full charter is $20,000–$80,000+.

Best for: snub-nosed breeds (banned from commercial cargo), multi-pet households, time-sensitive C-suite/celebrity moves, pets with severe anxiety. Includes: in-cabin transit, door-to-tarmac transfer, on-board comfort items. Booking lead time: 3–7 days for shared, 1–2 weeks for charter.

Add-on services

Add-onCostWhat it does
Door-to-door delivery$100 – $300Driver picks up + drops off at your address (vs meeting at a designated lot)
Expedited / rush timing$200 – $600Priority routing, fewer stops, faster transit (1–2 day reduction)
Same-day rush$300 – $800Pickup within 4 hours of booking; subject to driver availability
Multi-pet (per additional pet)$50 – $200Same-vehicle, same-trip secondary pet (one slot already booked)
Vet-tech accompaniment$400 – $1,200Licensed vet tech in the vehicle for senior, post-op, or critical-care pets
Overnight kenneling$75 – $150 / nightBoarding stop on multi-day routes (instead of in-vehicle overnight)
USDA paperwork handlingincluded international, $150 add-on domesticCVI prep, APHIS endorsement scheduling, destination customs forms
In-cabin escort (small pets)$300 – $800Handler flies with your pet in-cabin instead of cargo (Flight Nanny tier)
Pet preparation crate training$50 – $150Pre-trip familiarization session with the actual transit crate

Pets we transport

  • Dogs — all breeds and sizes up to ~150 lb. Brachycephalic breeds restricted to ground or private jet only. Pit bulls have airline + state restrictions on some routes (Miami, Denver, parts of UK).
  • Cats — all breeds. Must travel in hard-sided carrier under 15 lb pet weight; larger cats use airline-approved soft carriers. Brachycephalic cats (Persian, Burmese, Himalayan) restricted from cargo on most US carriers.
  • Rabbits — transported routinely; require carrier with hay padding and water dispenser. State-specific entry rules for Hawaii (mandatory quarantine 30 days).
  • Birds — parrots, parakeets, finches, canaries. Cargo only on most carriers; private jet preferred for exotic species. CITES paperwork for international transport of regulated species.
  • Small reptiles — non-venomous snakes, geckos, bearded dragons, turtles under 4 inches (USDA size rule). Climate-controlled handling required; some states ban specific species (consult before booking).
  • Ferrets, hamsters, guinea pigs — transported on case-by-case basis; some states (California, Hawaii) ban ferrets entirely.

What we don’t transport

  • Livestock (horses, cattle, goats, pigs) — specialized livestock haulers handle these
  • Venomous snakes or invertebrates — legal restrictions vary by state, beyond our scope
  • Endangered species without proper CITES permits
  • Pets under the legal minimum age (8 weeks domestic, 16 weeks international)
  • Pets without current rabies vaccination (where required by destination)
  • Pets currently sick or recovering from major surgery without veterinary clearance

Where we operate

Domestic ground: all 48 contiguous US states, Washington DC, Alaska (limited routes via Canada).

Domestic air: all 50 states including Hawaii via cargo; routes through Anchorage, Honolulu, San Juan handled by IATA-network operators.

Cross-border North America: Canada (BC, AB, ON, QC most common), Mexico (Tijuana, Guadalajara, Mexico City), Puerto Rico.

International (~30 destinations): Spain, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Ireland, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, UAE, Israel, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Panama, plus EU/EEA states with standardized pet passport rules.

If your destination isn’t listed, ask us — we can usually arrange transport with 30 days lead time.

What every booking includes

  • Door-to-door pickup and drop-off (most operators standard; some charge $100–$300 add-on)
  • Climate-controlled vehicle or aircraft hold
  • Federal-compliant crate or harness restraint
  • Walks + water breaks every 3–4 hours on ground transport
  • Real-time text updates throughout transit
  • Standard pet bailee insurance ($2,500–$10,000 per pet)
  • USDA-endorsed paperwork handling on international routes

Pre-transit checklist for owners

The smoother your prep, the calmer the transit. We’ll send you a tailored checklist after booking, but here’s the core:

  1. Vet visit (10–30 days before pickup): Health certificate (CVI) signed by USDA-accredited vet. Required for interstate ground transport, all air transport, and international.
  2. Microchip + rabies (international only): Microchip implanted before rabies vaccination, then 21–30 day wait period before entry into EU, UK, Australia, etc.
  3. Crate familiarization (1–2 weeks before pickup): Place the actual transit crate in your home with treats and bedding so it smells familiar by transit day.
  4. Reduce food on travel day: Light meal 4–6 hours before pickup; full water until 1 hour before. Reduces motion sickness.
  5. Pack a transit kit: 2–3 days of food in sealed bag, current vet records (paper copy), favorite blanket or toy, leash, ID tag with your phone number.

Cancellation & rescheduling

  • 7+ days before pickup: full refund minus a $50 admin fee
  • 3–7 days before: 50% refund (operators have already routed/staffed)
  • Under 3 days: typically non-refundable, but reschedulable within 60 days at no extra fee
  • Vet emergency cancellation: full refund with vet documentation, any service tier
  • Weather / force majeure: automatic 14-day reschedule window, no fees

Service FAQ

How quickly can you book a pet taxi or transport?<br />
Standard pet bailee insurance ranges from $2,500 to $10,000 per pet, included in the operator quote. For higher coverage or trip cancellation insurance, add-on policies cost $30–$150 per trip. Full insurance breakdown here.

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