The Decision Framework
Most operators want basic health and vaccine information, especially rabies proof for dogs and cats old enough to need it. Keep records as PDFs or photos plus a printed copy when possible.
| Option | Best fit |
|---|---|
| Basic ground transport | Rabies proof, vet records, contract, contact details, and medication notes if needed. |
| Flight nanny | Airline pet reservation or fee rules, carrier requirements, health documents if required, and handoff authorization. |
| Rescue, breeder, PCS, or international moves | Organization paperwork, ownership transfer, base or housing rules, import/export documents, and health certificate timing. |
Cost and Route Fit
A health certificate is not always required for every domestic ground route, but it may be required by an airline, receiving state, breeder, rescue, housing provider, or operator policy. Timing matters, so ask early.
For private ground transport, $1.00-$1.75 per mile is a useful planning range. Shared routes can cost less when the pet fits a route an operator already has posted. Flight nanny service depends on airport access, ticket economics, airline pet fees, carrier size, and whether the pet can ride in cabin.
Safety and Verification
Write medication name, dose, time, route, refrigeration needs, vet contact, and emergency instructions. Do the same for anxiety, mobility, heat sensitivity, aggression, escape risk, or feeding restrictions.
Payment rule: use tracked payment and written terms. Avoid gift cards, crypto, wire transfer, and friends-and-family payment.
What to Ask Before You Book
Your contract should cover route, dates, price, deposit, balance, cancellation, service type, pickup contact, delivery contact, and emergency care permission. For someone else handing off the pet, write that authorization down.
- Who is physically handling the pet, and what is their phone number?
- What are the pickup window, delivery window, and backup plan?
- Where does the pet ride, rest, and sleep?
- How often are updates sent, and through what channel?
- What contract, deposit, balance, refund, and emergency terms apply?
How PetDrivr Helps
PetDrivr is a supply-first load board for pet transport. Operators post routes first: origin, destination, date, open slots, price, USDA registration, insurance, service type, and contact details. Pet owners search those routes instead of trying to decode scattered posts and comments.
That does not remove your responsibility to vet the operator. It makes the first comparison cleaner so you can spend your attention on the questions that matter.