Shipping Puppies

• health certificate (2 copies)
  • completed by vet within 10 days of travel stating that puppy is healthy and fit to travel
  • includes shipper’s name & address
  • tag numbers, tattoos, or microchip number of animal
  • age of animal
  • veterinarian signature & date of signing
• ownership papers
• authorization papers if puppy has non-owner escort
• travel feeding/watering instructions
• etc?

• begin crate training of puppies to be shipped 2-3 weeks prior
  • use crate designed for airline travel; this is different than a wire crate
  • size – puppy must have enough space to stand, run around normally while standing up and lie down in natural position
  • video – “how to acclimate your pet to a crate for travel” 
  • time in crate for training?
• microchipping puppies to be shipped is highly recommended
• preparing crate for shipping:
  • airline approved crate with two dishes (one for food, one for water)
  • documentation taped to crate (what items?)
    • health certificate
    • food/water instructions for travel
    • statement of food/water offered prior to travel (within 4hrs of travel)
  • a bag of food taped to the top (in event of long delay) along with feeding and watering instructions
  • absorbent material on the bottom floor of the kennel (blankets, towels, or beds);
  • include a blanket or t-shirt with your scent to comfort puppy
  • leash and collar
• reservations
  • a separate booking of the flight is required (even if its human is traveling on same flight)
  • some carriers will not accept bookings until 14-days prior to departure; others up to 30 days prior
• day of shipping:
  • puppy must be at least 8 weeks old
  • feed/water puppy within 4 hours of check-in
    • affidavit – airlines typically will ask you to complete live animal checklist which includes confirmation that your pet has been offered food and water within 4 hours of check-in
  • exercise puppy before leaving for the airport
  • NO tranquilizers – use of pet tranquilizers at high altitudes is unpredictable and not recommended by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association)
  • multiple puppies in single kennel – 2 puppies typically may share a kennel if each puppy is less than 20 lbs and less than 6 mos old as long as they are comparable in size and temperament and can move about freely

Puppies can sometimes fly in the cabin when flying within the United States. Typically a one-way fee is charged. 

• crate training prior to flight?
• pet carrier size
  • small, ventilated, must fit under the seat in front of you
  • pet carriers in cabin count as your one carry-on item
  • carriers/kennels must be leak-proof
  • carry-on kennel dimensions are determined by your flight
• medication?
• microchipping puppies to be shipped is highly recommended
• travel items
  • wee pads?
  • snacks?
  • water?
  • documentation?
• travel day
  •  

• training?
• travel day:
  • feeding?
  • water?
  • documentation?

Rules between Countries and between airlines can vary greatly. Do your research! 

• Each airline tends to have own set of rules.
• Countries can have different regulations.
• Rabies vaccination is imperative in most EU countries; thus puppy would need to be at least 15wks old before travel.
• Shiloh puppies tend to be too heavy to qualify for in-cabin travel.

Regulations can often change. It’s best to research fresh every time you need to look at shipping throughout Europe. International Animal Transportation & Pet Relocation (contact info below) may be a good resource.