Starwood Pet Travel is the best pet shipping company for international moves, with prices from $1,800 hub-to-hub and a history back to 1979. Air Animal is the best choice for air travel, with veterinary oversight from a company founded by a veterinarian in 1977. PetRelocation is the best choice for complex international moves, with service to more than 150 countries and 40,000 animals moved since 2004.
We compared 7 options for best pet shipping companies. Each profile below lists the price, free plan, pros and cons as published by the company.
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Best pet shipping companies: comparison table
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
| # | Name | Best for | Starting price | Free plan / trial | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PetRelocation | Complex international moves | quote only | Not applicable | Visit |
| 2 | Starwood Pet Travel | International moves | $1,800 | Not applicable | Visit |
| 3 | Air Animal | Air travel with vet oversight | $2,500 | Not applicable | Visit |
| 4 | Airpets International | Exotic and small pets | $900 | Not applicable | Visit |
| 5 | Pet Express | International concierge moves | quote only | Not applicable | Visit |
| 6 | Happy Tails Travel | Flight nanny service | quote only | Not applicable | Visit |
| 7 | CitizenShipper | Budget domestic ground transport | $0.50 per mile | Not applicable | Visit |
The 7 best best pet shipping companies, in detail
PetRelocation
Best for: Complex international moves
PetRelocation is the best-known name in international pet transport, and it suits owners facing country-specific rules and long timelines. The company has been in business since 2004, has moved more than 40,000 animals and serves more than 150 countries, with a focus on destinations where import preparation, quarantine or government paperwork creates a long planning window. The service is end-to-end: PetRelocation handles the veterinary paperwork, the import permits, the customs clearance, the airline booking, the travel crate and the destination logistics.
- The company is an IPATA member and supports corporate and military transfers, which means it has systems for moves that must hit a fixed date.
- The limits are the price model and the domestic gap.
- PetRelocation does not publish rates, so every move is priced by quote, and the cost for a complex international move runs $3,000 to $8,000 or more de
- The company does not transport pets domestically in the United States, so a move inside the country needs a different shipper.
Pros
- Service to more than 150 countries
- 40,000 animals moved since 2004
- corporate and military moves
Cons
- No published prices, quote only
- does not transport pets domestically in the United States
Starwood Pet Travel
Best for: International moves
Starwood Pet Travel, officially Starwood Animal Transport, is the oldest company in this list, founded in 1979 in San Diego, and it is the top pick for international moves. The company is an IPATA member and USDA-registered, with a team that has a combined 50 years of experience in the industry. Prices start at $1,800 for hub-to-hub service and $3,055 for door-to-door, with domestic air at $1,800 to $4,500, international moves to Europe or Canada at $3,500 to $7,500, and complex quarantine destinations such as Australia, New Zealand or Japan at $8,000 to $15,000 or more.
- The company focuses on military PCS moves and corporate relocation packages, which means it is used to fixed timelines and strict paperwork.
- The limits are the price and the quote process.
- Starwood does not publish an online rate card and has no instant-quote engine, so you must request a quote and wait for a reply.
- The pricing sits on the white-glove end of the market, and a domestic move that costs $1,500 with Starwood can cost $190 to $600 on a marketplace such
Pros
- In business since 1979
- IPATA member and USDA-registered
- strong military and corporate focus
Cons
- Premium pricing
- no instant online quote
Air Animal
Best for: Air travel with vet oversight
Air Animal is the best choice for air travel, because it grew out of a veterinary practice that opened in 1961 and was founded as a pet mover by a veterinarian in 1977. The company provides international door-to-door relocation, documentation help, airline coordination and access to a global partner network, with veterinary oversight at every step. Air Animal is an IATA cargo agency appointed by more than 225 airlines, which gives it more flight options when routes get complicated, and it is an IPATA member.
- Cross-country ground transport costs about $2,500, and international moves run higher depending on the destination and the service level.
- The limits are the cost and the service tiers.
- The full-service option is costly, and the cheaper Book and Fly option needs the owner to manage more of the process, which suits a confident owner an
- Air Animal also has a strong focus on air travel, so a ground-only move may be better served by a ground specialist.
Pros
- Founded by a veterinarian in 1977
- USDA-registered
- IATA cargo agency for more than 225 airlines
Cons
- Cross-country ground costs about $2,500
- the Book and Fly option needs the owner to manage more steps
Airpets International
Best for: Exotic and small pets
Airpets International has been in business for more than 30 years, and it is the pick for exotic and small pets, which many shippers will not take. The company is USDA-registered and handles domestic and international transport for dogs, cats and exotic animals, with prices from $900 for a United States move and $2,000 for an international move. The service covers the veterinary paperwork, the airline booking and the destination logistics, and the company has a long record with zoos and breeders, which shows in the care given to unusual animals.
- The limits are the price and the focus.
- Prices may be higher than other transporters for a standard dog or cat move, and the company focuses on international service, so a simple domestic mo
- The quote process is by phone or form, with no instant online price.
- If your pet is exotic, small or unusual, Airpets International is the pick.
Pros
- More than 30 years in business
- USDA-registered
- prices from $900 for United States moves
Cons
- Prices may be higher than other transporters
- international service is the main focus
Pet Express
Best for: International concierge moves
Pet Express is an international pet transport specialist with a concierge service, and it suits owners who want one company to handle everything. The service covers the veterinary paperwork, the import permits, the customs clearance, the airline booking and the door-to-door logistics, with a dedicated coordinator for each move. The company focuses on international relocations, including moves to strict destinations with quarantine rules, and the concierge approach means the owner deals with one contact from start to finish.
- The limits are the price model and the domestic gap.
- Pet Express does not publish rates, so every move is priced by quote, and the concierge service costs more than a standard shipper.
- The international focus means domestic United States moves are not the main business, so a domestic move may be better served by a ground carrier.
- If your move is international and you want a single coordinator, Pet Express is a strong pick.
Pros
- International specialist with concierge service
- handles paperwork and customs
- door-to-door service
Cons
- Quote only, no published prices
- international focus means less domestic coverage
Happy Tails Travel
Best for: Flight nanny service
Happy Tails Travel is a flight nanny service, which is a different model from the other companies here: a trained nanny flies in the cabin with your pet, so the animal never goes into the cargo hold. The service suits small dogs and cats that fit in an approved cabin carrier, and the nanny handles the check-in, the security screening, the feeding and the comfort breaks. The company is well known in the pet transport world, and the personal care is the reason owners choose it over cargo.
- Prices are by quote and depend on the route, the airline and the pet size.
- The limits are the size cap and the cost.
- A flight nanny can only take pets that fit in the cabin, so large dogs must fly as cargo with another shipper, and the nanny service costs more than a
- The service also depends on flight availability, so a last-minute move may be hard to book.
Pros
- Flight nanny flies in the cabin with your pet
- personal care throughout the trip
- good for small pets
Cons
- Quote only
- limited to pets that fit in the cabin
- costs more than cargo for large pets
CitizenShipper
Best for: Budget domestic ground transport
CitizenShipper is a marketplace that connects pet owners with independent drivers, and it is the cheapest way to move a pet inside the United States. Ground transport typically costs $0.50 to $1.50 per mile, which works out to $150 to $400 for 250 miles, $250 to $700 for 500 miles, $500 to $1,200 for 1,000 miles and $800 to $2,000 or more for a cross-country trip. The platform shows driver profiles and reviews, and the owner can message the driver before booking.
- The service is domestic only, which keeps the model simple, and the marketplace format means the price is set by competition between drivers.
- The limits are about consistency and scope.
- CitizenShipper does not offer international transport, so an overseas move needs a different company, and the quality varies by driver, so the owner m
- The marketplace also takes a fee, and the driver handles the paperwork, so a move with complex veterinary requirements needs a full-service shipper.
Pros
- Ground transport at $0.50 to $1.50 per mile
- marketplace with driver reviews
- no international service needed
Cons
- No international transport
- quality varies by driver
- the owner must vet the driver
How we chose
We compared pet shipping companies that a pet owner can book in advance, and we read the prices and credentials on the company pages and on current comparison guides in November 2026. We did not test any shipper hands-on. We compared IPATA membership, USDA registration, the years in business, the service area and the price model, because those points decide safety and cost. We included full-service international shippers, a flight nanny service and a domestic marketplace, so every kind of move has a real option. A unique fact that most roundups skip: Air Animal is an IATA cargo agency appointed by more than 225 airlines, which gives it more flight options than a shipper that books through a single carrier.
What to check before you buy
Check IPATA membership and USDA registration first, since those two credentials mark a legitimate shipper, and IPATA warns about scammers who fake its logo. Check the price model, since most full-service shippers charge by quote only, and a quote can land far above the headline range. Check the paperwork, since every international move needs a health certificate, vaccination records and destination permits, and the shipper should handle them. Check the breed rules, since IATA guidance says brachycephalic breeds are not allowed in cargo holds except for confirmed service animals. Use the table below to match your move to a shipper.
| Move | Pick | Typical cost | Lead time | | Domestic, short ground trip | CitizenShipper | $150 to $400 for 250 miles | Days | | Domestic, cross-country | CitizenShipper or Starwood | $800 to $2,000, or $1,800 hub-to-hub | 1 to 2 weeks | | International, standard | Starwood or PetRelocation | $3,000 to $6,000 | 4 to 8 weeks | | International, strict destination | PetRelocation or Starwood | $5,000 to $15,000 | 3 to 6 months | | Air travel with vet oversight | Air Animal | $2,500 cross-country ground | 2 to 4 weeks | | Small pet in the cabin | Happy Tails Travel | Quote only | 1 to 2 weeks | | Exotic or small pet | Airpets International | From $900 United States | 2 to 4 weeks |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a pet?
Domestic pet shipping typically costs $300 to $1,200 or more per pet. Ground transport on CitizenShipper runs $0.50 to $1.50 per mile, so a cross-country trip costs $800 to $2,000 or more. International moves cost more: a standard move runs $1,500 to $6,000, and a move to a quarantine destination such as Australia runs $5,000 to $15,000 or more. Always get a written quote before you book.
Which pet shipping company is best for international moves?
Starwood Pet Travel is the best choice for international moves, with prices from $1,800 hub-to-hub and a history back to 1979. PetRelocation is the best choice for complex international moves, with service to more than 150 countries and 40,000 animals moved since 2004. Both are IPATA members and USDA-registered. Get quotes from both, since the price depends on the destination and the service level.
Do I need a health certificate to ship my pet?
Yes. Every airline and every destination country requires a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian, usually issued within 10 days of travel. Most destinations also need vaccination records, and some need blood tests, import permits and quarantine. A full-service shipper handles the paperwork, but the owner must book the vet visit and keep the records. Start at least 8 weeks before an international move.
Can my pet fly in the cabin with me?
Yes, if the pet fits in an approved carrier under the seat, which usually means a small dog or cat under 20 pounds including the carrier. A flight nanny service such as Happy Tails Travel can fly with your pet in the cabin if you cannot travel yourself. Large dogs must fly as cargo, and brachycephalic breeds are not allowed in cargo holds under IATA guidance except for confirmed service animals.
How far in advance should I book a pet shipper?
Book 4 to 8 weeks ahead for a standard international move, and 3 to 6 months ahead for a strict destination such as Australia, New Zealand or Japan, since vaccination, testing, permits and quarantine must follow a set sequence. Domestic ground transport can be booked a few days ahead, and a flight nanny needs 1 to 2 weeks. Summer and the December holidays book out first, so start early in those periods.
Is it safe to ship a pet by air?
Yes, when the shipper is legitimate and the pet is healthy. Choose an IPATA member that is USDA-registered, such as Starwood or Air Animal, and get a vet check before the flight. Avoid shipping in extreme heat or cold, since airlines restrict cargo in those conditions. A flight nanny is the safest option for a small pet, since the animal stays in the cabin with a person.
Sources
- https://www.petrelocation.com/
- https://www.starwoodpet.com/
- https://www.airanimal.com/
- https://www.airpets.com/
- https://www.petexpress.com/
- https://www.happytailstravel.com/
- https://www.citizenshipper.com/
Prices and features were read on each company’s own website in November 2026. They change often, so confirm the current offer on the official site before you sign up or buy.