A. The fees for professional pet relocation are figured on a case-by-case basis, and can vary considerably depending on a wide variety of factors. Those include: Cities of origination and destination, the weight and any special needs of the pet, vaccination and testing requirements, size of shipping kennel, any connections required, date of travel, time of departure and arrival, the time of year the pet is being shipping, possible needs for boarding en route, the amount of handling required on any leg of the trip, among many other things. Happy at Home Pet Care will be happy to discuss your needs and provide an estimate relating to all the costs involved with your pet's relocation as part of our service. We are able to provide nearly all necessary services and supplies required for a safe trip for your pet.

A. Relocating by air is the fastest and safest method of transporting animals. Hundreds of thousands of pets are shipped each year around the world, with a very tiny percentage of mistakes, errors, or mortality problems. Although no method of transport is guaranteed as foolproof, the shorter the amount of time your pet is in the care of others, the better it generally is for your pet's health and safety. Pets traveling as cargo on a plane are placed in temperature- controlled environments in the belly of the aircraft. In most cases, the same air that is circulated in the passenger cabin is circulated through the animal's cargo section. Prior to their placement on the aircraft, animals are held in temperature controlled environments inside the cargo facility itself or even in office areas located adjacent to the tarmac. The FAA, USDA, and IATA has very strict regulations concerning the care and handling of animals transported by air, which is one of the reasons temperatures play such an important role in the shipment of pets.

A. The animal must be able to stand up without touching the roof with any part of the hear or ears, turn around, and lie down in a natural position. Rigid plastic containers with ventilation are the industry norm, and are accepted by most airlines, although they may also be made of metal, fiberglass, solid wood or plywood, by meeting specific design requirements.

A. Foreign destinations may require certain documents (such as import or export permits) be obtained from their consulate office, which can take as long as two to three months. There may also be quarantine requirements and/or specific testing and inspections required prior to travel. Always plan well in advance if relocating your pet outside the U.S.

A. Generally speaking, each pet must be kenneled separately, although some airlines make an exception to allow two puppies or kittens less than six months old, as long as they are littermates.

A. Please see our separate section (select 'Pet Transport' up top, and select 'Tranquilizers') concerning this issue which we feel contains very important information that our clients should be aware of.