Is it bad to have a puppy shipped? The Ultimate Guide

Shipping Puppies by Air: Everything You Need to Know

Your fur-baby is about to take a cross-country trip to meet you for the first time, so it’s only natural that you have questions and concerns. We’re highlighting some of the most important things to know, but if you have ANY questions, our team is more than happy to answer them.

Safety Comes First – Although we get asked a million times, “Is it safe to ship puppies?”, our answer never changes. We always say that shipping a puppy is as safe as flying yourself. While the experience can be very tiring for the little guys, there isn’t a risk to their wellbeing. In addition, we have a veterinarian double check the health of all of our puppies before they fly to meet you.

Pet-Safe Flights are Popular – Major airlines offer dedicated pet-safe flights in which pups (and other pets like pigs and large birds) travel in the cargo container of the plane. These flights feature a comfortable environment and temperature-controlled spaces for the animals. It’s not uncommon to see more than a dozen dogs flying on each of these pet-safe flights.

Puppies Often Sleep on the Flights – Most people prefer to get some shut-eye when flying, and many dogs are no different. In fact, we intentionally book early flights to make it as likely as possible that your pup sleeps through the majority of the trip.

We Place Absorbent Padding in Their Carriers – When sending a puppy on a plane, it is our standard procedure to place absorbent padding in their carriers. That way if they have to go potty over the course of the flight, it’s not an issue. Learn more about what you need to bring a new dog home.

We Track Your Puppy Every Step of the Way (And You Can, Too) – When shipping puppies by air, we track their progress every step of the way – and we make sure their full itinerary and tracking is available to you, too. We want to make sure that your precious package is on-track every step of the way!

We Fly Puppies Everywhere – As long as there is a pet-safe flight available, we will send fur-babies all over the country. We primarily fly out of Harrisburg International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport!

2 Forms of ID Needed to Pick Up Your Dog – Our commitment to pet safety by shipping puppies by air doesn’t end when the plane lands. In order to make sure our dogs go with the right person, we request that you prove your identity by providing 2 forms of official ID.

Read Our Reviews to Learn about the Experience – One other key thing we want to assure you of is that when you work with Keystone Puppies, we take care of all of the details and we advocate for you and your dog through the entire journey. Since trust is key for this entire process, we encourage you to read our reviews and see how we did for many other puppy parents!

We hope our guide was not only able to answer, “Is it safe to ship puppies?” – but also gave you some insight into what the experience is like for you and your brand new bundle of cuddles!

Ask the person shipping your puppy to send some extra food with your puppy so that when he/she arrives you aren’t switching to a new food too fast, this will prevent a tummy upset when your puppy starts his/her new life with you.

Schedule an appointment with your vet soon after your puppy is shipped to you. Even if your puppy looks good after arrival, it is best to have them checked by your own vet.

We hope you enjoy your new puppy, remember to take lots of pictures and videos because they grow up very fast. For any questions about shipping a puppy or having your puppy shipped to you, contact our team of pet travel consultants who are happy to help.

The person shipping your puppy to you should only book the most direct flight, even if it is more expensive. Make sure your puppy is being shipped on an airline that has a reputable pet shipping program in place and that the flights are booked at optimal times of day according to the seasons (early in the morning or late at night during warmer weather or during the middle of the day for colder weather).

The puppy should have a microchip implanted before he or she gets any vaccinations, like this it is easy to keep track of what immunizations your puppy has received and it is a requirement for pet travel in many parts of the world. The vaccinations should be completed for the age of the puppy, not just what’s necessary for travel, but all vaccinations to prevent any illness possible.

So, Can you ship a puppy by car?

While road transport offers an alternative to flying, it also comes with certain hazards. Puppies traveling by car are required to be fully weaned. Taking them away from the litter before the pets are 6 weeks old is considered animal cruelty. Perhaps more importantly, their immune systems make them susceptible to contagious diseases.

In most cases, puppies transported in cars will be in close proximity to other, older dogs. That may not be an issue if proper sanitation is maintained, but this isn’t always the case. Diseases and parasites preying on pups include heartworm, parvo, coccidia, and more. It’s absolutely vital for owners and transporters to ensure that all dogs are healthy and vaccinated before the pet hits the road!

Having puppies in the car can also be a dangerous distraction. US state laws require animals to be suitably restrained so that pets cannot significantly distract the driver. Portable kennels and carrier crates, preferably USDA-approved, are a must. Additional equipment may also be needed to secure the containers, depending on the type of transport.

And finally, here are some tips when transporting puppies.

Ask a vet. Before arranging your puppy’s transport, be sure to visit a local veterinary clinic. Your vet should be able to provide both health certificates and advice on safety measures.

Do research. When it comes to safety, nothing beats the hands-on approach. If choosing an airline, call them to get the latest on their fees, approved carriers, and more. If hiring a driver, check out his ratings and reviews for the feedback left by the previous customer.

Sort out the paperwork. Your puppy will be safer if you can move things more smoothly and swiftly. Try to have all the necessary documentation on hand well ahead of time. We know it’s a hassle, but it really is in the dog’s best interest to get through it quickly.

Consider all alternatives. If the trip seems to be too hazardous for the pup, consider adjusting your plans. Maybe you can wait until it’s old enough to fly? Maybe you can afford the cabin fee after all? Or is pet-sitting the more practical option while you traveling?

Again, ask a vet! We can’t stress this enough — you need to follow the vet’s recommendations to the letter. Never neglect the advice of trained medical professionals!

So, is it safe to ship a puppy? It is if you make it safe! Follow the advice outlined here to ensure your furry friends get to their destination swiftly and securely. If you run into any trouble along the way, be sure to contact our support teams for assistance.

Last updated at November 3, 2022

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How to have a puppy shipped from the breeder

During 2020, we learned a lot about getting puppies and dogs to their new homes in a safe and affordable manner.

As Americans adjusted to the “new normal” of working and learning at home, many people decided it was an opportune time to bring a new puppy or dog into their lives. We also discovered there were many logistical challenges to getting that new puppy or dog to its new home during a pandemic.

Travel restrictions made it very difficult for buyers to get their puppies, especially those who lived a long distance from the breeder.

Currently, only two airlines in the United States are conducting un-escorted pet transportation, which means the majority of the major airlines still have an “embargo” on pet transportation. That means you cannot ship a dog or puppy by air cargo with those companies.

The airlines that are shipping have added on a hefty “special handling” fee on top of the standard shipping fee. So, don’t be surprised when a $85 or larger fee is added onto the final bill on puppy shipping day.

Another rule that has changed: You must have your dog or puppy at the airline and checked into their flight three hours ahead of the posted departure time. In the past they had be checked in two hours before the flight.

With summer approaching, the few airline shipping opportunities will disappear as the annual “heat embargos” are put into place. This embargo prevents shipment of live animals if the temperature is forecasted to be above 84 degrees at any location on the itinerary.

Puppy buyers must be able and willing to travel to get their puppy and fly it home in the airplane cabin with them or use a “puppy nanny” to bring the puppy to them. Their other options are to drive to the breeder’s home to pick up their new family member or use a licensed pet transporter.

During COVID -19, many professional dog show handlers, who are very experienced and knowledgeable about dogs, chose to become registered pet transporters. There are a lot of people who still call on their friends or colleagues for help with getting a dog or puppy from one location to the next. But during the past year, we found that registered transporters have the protection of federal laws in the event an issue comes up during transportation.

Any company or individual transporting anything for hire in a vehicle over 10,000 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and have a US Department of Transportation (USDOT) number. If your vehicle is under 10,000 pounds, you are not required to have a USDOT number for transporting animals, but need to register with the US Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) when transporting animals to a third party for compensation. We want to encourage everyone to be properly licensed, registered and insured, because these few simple steps and a single piece of paper can protect you and your precious cargo during your travels.

The number one thing we found out about getting puppies and dogs to their new homes during 2020 is that a good transporter makes a lot of people happy! They make the new customers happy that their puppy arrived safely. They make the breeders happy that their precious dogs arrived safely, clean and healthy. A transporter that does a good job stays happy because they get repeat business.

Here are some Q&A to help breeders, buyers and transporters be the best they can be.

A: Breeders should still be using caution and practicing social distancing. These are suggested guidelines from AKC: Guidelines

Q: What should I look for in a pet transportation company and how do I know if they are safe?

A: Make sure any “pet transportation company” or “puppy nanny” has a current registration certificate with USDA APHIS, which is the oversite agency for the transportation of dogs, puppies, kittens, and cats and was established by the Animal Welfare Act in 1966.

Go to USDA and input the “license/registration type” as Carrier and your transporter’s “certificate number” and then search. Make certain the certificate is “active” and check the inspection reports.

There are many un-registered and un-regulated transportation companies, so be careful. Many will tell you they don’t need to be registered. The federal definition of a transporter is a person with a commercial business that moves animals from one location to another. They must be considered a transporter under the Animal Welfare Act and be registered with USDA.

A: Some transportation companies or puppy nannies will deliver right to the front door, but it will cost extra. Most will meet you at a set location. Expect that puppy buyers may have to drive a few hours and may be among others picking up their new arrivals.

Q: What if a dog is lost or stolen or something happens to it during transport?

A: Make sure the transporter is registered, has a valid license and insurance, and is bonded. There are a lot of good people out there who are just trying to earn an honest dollar. Transporting your precious cargo is not an easy task, but be safe and check registrations, references and reviews. You can do this by going to the USDA APHIS site and/or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and looking up Pet Transport Flight/Ground Services. You also can check reviews via Google or Facebook. See what others say about the transportation company you have chosen before the puppy gets in a vehicle.

The AKC is here to help owners with questions and concerns about COVID-19 and dogs. Find answers to your questions, plus at-home activity ideas, training tips, educational resources, and more on our Coping With COVID-19 hub.

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