What Are Dog Transportation Services? Types, Uses, Pros & Cons

Dog transportation services are businesses or professionals that will transport your dog from one location to another. This can be to prearranged appointments in the same town, across the country as part of a pet relocation, or even overseas. The service should be insured, and experienced in dealing with dogs, and it should have comfortable and secure transport. Costs will vary according to the distance traveled, the type of transport required, and whether your dog has any special requirements that need to be met. Using this type of service can be essential for those without appropriate transport of their own, but it can also help reduce the stress of moving or relocating a pet to a different part of the world. Below, we take a deeper look at dog transportation services, including the different types that are available, and what you should look for when considering how to transport a dog across the country.

How Does It Work?

Depending on the type of dog transportation you use, the service will use a car, van, or other primary vehicle to transport the dog. If necessary, they may use ferries or other types of transport to further the journey. And, in some cases, this can include putting your dog on an airplane. The transportation service will plan the journey to ensure the best route and to ensure your dog arrives on time and in the right place. They will schedule stops for walks and toilet breaks, if necessary, and they may keep you updated with the journey's progress. The transportation service will have all the necessary equipment for safe, secure travel. As well as an appropriate vehicle, this will typically include crates or cages and harnesses. Equipment like beds, cushions, and bowls will also ensure that your dog is comfortable on the journey. The company should be insured, including liability insurance, in case something goes wrong. As well as use by individuals to transport one or two dogs, some transportation services are also used by rescues and rehoming services. This is especially true of those that rescue dogs from overseas and adopt them to owners in other countries.

What Are the Different Types of Dog Transportation Services?

All dog transportation services offer the same basic service, which is to transport a dog from one location to another. However, different types of service exist, according to the distance traveled and the type of vehicle used to transport the dogs.

• Local Pet Taxi – Local pet taxis are used for short journeys, typically to take a dog to a vet or other appointment when the owner is unable to transport the dog themselves. This type of service doesn’t usually require toilet stops, but the driver needs to be reliable to ensure that the dogs arrive at appointments on time, and they may be willing to attend the appointment with the dog before driving them back home.
• Cross Country – Whether the owner is moving, or the dog is being relocated for any other reason, a cross-country transportation service needs to be prepared for journeys that can last hours or even days. Regular stops will be necessary, to ensure the dog can pee and poop and that it doesn’t get too stressed out on the journey. The vehicle needs to be comfortable, too, and the route should be planned meticulously to ensure an optimal route with backup directions, in case they are required.
• International Dog Transportation – International dog transport services will typically either fly or take the dog on a boat, depending on the distance being covered. This may mean using multiple different vehicles, ensuring paperwork like passports and insurance are in order, and feeding and exercising the dog at regular intervals.

When Is It Used?

There are many different reasons why an owner might need to use dog transportation services, but the main reasons are:

• Appointments – Whether a dog is scheduled for an appointment with the groomer or has an essential veterinary appointment, a transportation service is useful if the owner can’t make the journey. For appointments like these, local dog taxis are the most common type of service used, but if a dog needs to visit a specialist across the state or in a different state, the longer journey might require a different type of transportation.
• Moving – Moving house is stressful for dogs and their owners. Having a professional service transport the dog means removing one possible headache for the owner and it can prove less stressful for the dog.
• Rehoming a Dog – Whether a dog is being rehomed after a breakup or has been adopted and needs to be moved from the adoption center to its new home, transportation services are regularly used to make the journey. They are even used when dogs from overseas are adopted and need international travel.

Advantages of Dog Transportation Services

• They Have the Equipment – Transporting a dog safely, especially over longer distances, typically requires cages or crates as well as accessories like bowls, beds, and other items. If the dog is then transferred to another vehicle, it will need an appropriately sized carrier. A transportation service should have, or will be able to get, all the right equipment that owners won’t necessarily have.
• They Have the Vehicle – A common reason owners use dog transportation services, especially for shorter trips to appointments and vet visits, is because they don’t have a car. Using transportation negates the need to go on buses or other public transport.
• They Have Insurance – A transportation service will be insured, offering financial protection if the worst happens.
• They Are Experienced – The drivers and other employees deal with dog transportation regularly. They know the dogs are stressed and anxious, and they have experience dealing with the necessary paperwork and checks that are conducted at the borders and airlines. This can prove invaluable, preventing difficulties and ensuring onward travel.

Disadvantages of Dog Transportation Services

• It Can Be Stressful – Transport is stressful for dogs. They are confined, typically in quite a small space, and even with regular walks and toilet breaks, they don’t have the freedom they would enjoy at home. They may also be put in a vehicle with other anxious dogs, which can further heighten anxiety.
• Owners Can’t Travel with the Dogs – Most dog transportation services are insured to carry pets, but may not be insured to carry people, and if they are taking multiple dogs, they won’t have room for owners to tag along. This means leaving your dog in their hands, which can be upsetting for the dog and you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can You Take a Dog on Public Transport?

Public transport does offer one alternative to using transportation services, but not all public transport services will allow dogs. Service animals should always be permitted, but this isn’t necessarily true of pets, and you will need to check with every public transport service you intend to use before traveling.

What Should You Check When Choosing a Service?

When choosing a service, make sure they are reputable, reliable, and have the appropriate insurance. You should also check the quality of their vehicles and any other equipment they use, to ensure your dog will be safe and comfortable.

Will They Take All Dogs?

There may be limitations on certain dog breeds and types of dogs. Some services may not have the room to transport a Great Dane and others may refuse breeds that are considered aggressive or dangerous. Check with the company when making a reservation, to avoid disappointment.

Conclusion

A dog transportation service can be used as an alternative to driving a dog yourself and can prove invaluable if you’re moving across the country or need to transport a dog across the country and don’t have an appropriate vehicle yourself. Costs vary, and so too do the types of service on offer, but they range from local pet taxi services to international transportation services that can be used to bring dogs over from abroad.

Featured Image Credit: Andrey_Popov, Shutterstock