Your Guide to Choosing the Best Pet Transport Company in Australia

Choosing the best pet transport company is more than a practical concern when travelling with pets. The right choice is essential for the safety and comfort of your beloved pet.

A reliable pet transport service guarantees all aspects of your pet’s journey are managed professionally. Anything from following safety regulations to handling the stress pets often experience during travel.

A competent pet transport company transforms what could be a tense situation into a smooth and stress-free process for you and your family pet.

The best pet transport company has:

• Experience
• Trusted credentials
• Comprehensive services
• A wide network of contacts
• Updated info on industry regulations
• Domestic and international airline partnerships
• High ratings in customer reviews and testimonials

Let’s look at seven questions to ask when choosing the best pet transport company before covering the importance of picking the best one.

Picking the Best Pet Transport Company: 7 Questions to Ask

Asking the following seven questions will help you choose the best pet transport company in Australia to suit your needs.

1. How experienced is the company?

Experience in pet travel matters. The understanding gained through experience builds skills for handling various pet needs.

Companies with extensive experience are better equipped to deal with potential complications. This ensures smooth and safe travel for your beloved pets. Experienced providers have proven protocols and a deep understanding of how to care for pets under the stress of travel.

The unexpected becomes normal with 50+ years of pet transport experience. We’ve seen it all, so nothing catches us off guard when it comes to pet travel.

Our experience means we:

• Have established relationships with airlines
• Understand complex travel logistics
• Anticipate potential challenges

Choosing an experienced pet transport company puts your pet in the safest hands.

2. Is the pet transport company an IPATA member?

Membership in the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) adds a layer of credibility to a pet transport company. IPATA members are committed to ethical business practices and professionalism in pet transport worldwide.

Membership ensures the company adheres to the highest standards of pet welfare. IPATA members like Dogtainers get updated on the latest industry regulations and practices.

We follow the live animals regulations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). These protocols ensure the safe transportation of your pets.

We also have partnerships with other important organisations in the pet industry:

• RSPCA
• Greencross Vets
• Integra Service Dogs Australia
• Dogs Breeder Association
• DogsVic, DogsNSW,
• DogsQLD, DogsNT,
• DogsAustralia
• AFRA

3. What services does the pet travel company offer?

A world-class pet travel company will offer a variety of services tailored to meet different needs.

Our pet transport services include:

• Door-to-door pet transport
• Custom pet carrier solutions
• Personalised pet travel plans
• Manage pet boarding if needed
• Reserve quarantine stays for pets
• Documentation and permit assistance

These services can be tailored to meet your pet transport needs, whether travelling domestically or internationally. We accommodate every situation with utmost care.

Some pet travel companies won’t transport high-risk brachycephalic pets. These include:

• King Charles Spaniel
• French Bulldog
• Pekingese
• Shih Tzu
• Boxer
• Pug
• Persian Cat

We offer transport services for “brachy” breeds domestically and internationally where possible. These services are only in line with airline rules – some airlines won’t take them. You can enquire for more details.

4. Do they have contacts across Australia and in other countries?

A reliable network across Australia and overseas is vital for seamless domestic and international pet transport. This network means the pet transport company can efficiently handle logistics, deal with local customs, and resolve any issues that may arise during travel.

We have 16 offices across Australia and New Zealand. With 13 offices spanning every state in Australia and three offices in New Zealand, we’ve got your pet transport needs covered in the ANZ region.

Also, we have trusted travel partners in every country in the world. Our extensive network helps us guide your international pet transport, no matter what country you’re travelling to or from.

We also have trusted corporate partners across the world to help meet your pet travel needs. For instance, we have connections to a wide network of pet boarding facilities across the globe.

Our reliable network makes pet transport smooth and stress-free for you and your beloved pet.

5. Is the pet transport company up to date on industry regulations?

Pet travel regulations can vary widely by destination, airline and mode of transportation. You’re in the best hands with a company that stays up-to-date with the latest travel regulations and requirements.

A knowledgeable company like Dogtainers helps you stay on top of all necessary permits, vaccinations, and documentation for your trip. We limit delays or complications during travel.

An experienced company also has their finger on the regulatory pulse. Knowing and understanding regulations sets you and your pet up for a smooth journey.

We have dedicated international pet travel pages for many countries and regions. These include Europe, USA, UK, New Zealand, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, United Arab Emirates, and Hawaii.

Our documentation has information for shipping dogs and cats overseas, vaccine requirements, banned breeds and general guidelines for overseas pet transport.

These are just some of the popular destinations we deal with. Our pet travel experts have travel profiles for 80+ countries worldwide.

With our regulatory knowledge and global network of trusted travel partners, we will find the best international pet transport solution for you.

6. Does the pet travel company have partnerships with airlines?

Partnerships with reputable airlines are vital for pet transport. A partnership helps secure the best possible flights for your pet.

Also, airline partnerships show the pet transport company is recognised and trusted within the industry. Choosing a pet transport company partnered with airlines makes the trip smoother.

We’re partnered with multiple airlines domestically and internationally.

Domestic airline partners:

• Air North
• Qantas
• Virgin
• REX

International airline partners:

7. What do their customers say?

Customer testimonials and reviews give you a valuable understanding of a pet transport company. They let you see the level of service and customer satisfaction in the business.

Reading reviews and testimonials from previous customers is a great way to gauge the pet travel company. You get a window into other customers’ experiences with the pet transport services.

Check overall satisfaction with services, communication, and care of their pets. Did the company provide stress-free pet transport?

We’re rated 4.7 stars out of 5 – from 930 reviews on Product Review.

Why Choosing the Best Pet Travel Company is Important

Choosing a pet transport company without a solid reputation or sufficient experience can lead to complications during pet travel. Inexperienced handlers may not know how to properly handle customs procedures or care for pets during stressful situations like transit delays.

Also, inexperience can result in your pet escaping during the travel process. This happened recently when pet dog Milo escaped from the handlers of a pet transport company near Melbourne airport.

Milo was relocating from Australia to the UK with his owners. But the five-year-old terrier escaped from the pet transport company while being moved from his cage and went on the run in Melbourne.

Fortunately, the ordeal had a happy ending when an animal rescue charity captured Milo. He was reunited with his owners in the UK around a month later.

One of the owners, Jason Whatnall, said losing Milo was extremely upsetting.

“To find out that he was lost, and they really didn’t know where, was extremely concerning and upsetting.”

The best pet transport company in Australia should make the process stress-free instead of adding to the anxiety.

Benefits of Choosing a Reputable Pet Travel Company 

Selecting a reputable pet transport company comes with significant benefits. A massive one is that we’re able to calm your pets for a stress-free and comfortable journey.

Here are the other main ones.

• Safety: Established companies adhere strictly to safety protocols and regulatory compliance, ensuring that your pet is safely handled throughout the journey.
• Reliability: A reputable pet travel company offers reliable scheduling and thorough planning. This reduces the likelihood of last-minute cancellations or delays that could impact your travel plans.
• Peace of Mind: Knowing that your pet is in capable hands alleviates much of the stress associated with transporting your beloved pet. Reputable companies provide transparent communication and updates on your pet’s status. Knowing your pets are treated with care is comforting.
• Professionalism: Experienced pet transporters are equipped to handle all aspects of pet travel. They can help with veterinary checks, paperwork and pet boarding. They ensure you meet all requirements, from health certificates to specific entry stipulations of the destination.

Conclusion

Choosing the best pet transport company in Australia is an important decision. It impacts the safety, comfort and well-being of your pet during travel.

The best pet transport company has:

• Experience
• Trusted credentials
• Comprehensive services
• A wide network of contacts
• Updated info on industry regulations
• Domestic and international airline partnerships
• High ratings in customer reviews and testimonials

Picking the best in pet transport ensures a stress-free journey for you and your pet.

With 50+ years in the pet transport industry, we tick all of the boxes. We’ve transported 1000s upon 1000s of pets domestically and internationally.

Get a quote today for your next trip and experience stress-free pet transport.