So you found that perfect puppy across the nation. Now what?
Many people are missing the joy of owning a wonderful pet due to a fear that shipping an animal will cause extreme stress and result in a negative effect on the dog’s well being. I would like to assure these people that good breeders take special care when shipping a puppy. I put a lot of time, love and care into raising my puppies. For that reason, I want to see my dogs taken care of in the best possible way. When I ship my babies I ship them in the same crate they grow up in here with their own toys. Here are some tips for people who are considering buying a puppy over the internet that will be shipped:
1. When buying a puppy, be certain that the breeder ships the animal counter to counter. Although, there is a little more cost involved, this ensures that the puppy is never in a stressful situation and is not left unattended. He is hand carried from one counter to the next. Although handled by the Cargo/Baggage department of the Airline, the shipper does not need a statement of acclimation because the animals are always in a climate controlled environment and not in the main baggage compartment. The flight attendants just love to baby these little dogs! Important Note: Please call your airport well ahead of time to confirm exactly where to pick up your pup and what things you will need to bring! Some Airports take the pups to a separate holding area.2. It is important to make certain that the breeder makes shipping reservations for the shortest amount of travel time possible. Most reputable breeders will already be aware of this fact. It is possible for the buyer to also call for themselves and make sure the arrangements are for the shortest travel time.
3. As a breeder, I would like to assure people of the safety in shipping a puppy. I personally can supply references from those to whom I have shipped a dog. Any breeder, who has shipped previously, should be able to do the same. The people, who have received puppies from me, were very happy and did not feel there were any negative effects on the animal. In many cases, when the puppy came out of the crate to the new owner, the little one was so happy that there was an instant bond with their new family.
4. I suggest that people find out which airline the breeder uses. I usually ship with Continental Airlines and use their Quickpak Live Animal Service, and I am a Registered Known Shipper by them. It costs more but the careful handling and reliable, on-time delivery is worth the cost. I deliver the puppy to the main counter and the buyer picks their puppy up at their baggage counter (hand carried to them). I have found them to be very concerned with the safety of my dogs.
They work closely with the local Zoos and shipped animals for them, which gives me much comfort. Although I know there has been some bad press in the past about airlines and animals, things are different now. A few years ago, safety was an issue when airlines shipped an animal. However, I speak with experience when I say that Continental Airlines has made, and is making, huge strides in their efforts to improve the shipping quality and tracking of animals. Anyone who may be interested can call the Live Animal Desk in Continental Cargo’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-575-3335 for more information.
5. The age and health of a puppy must be taken into consideration before shipping. Puppies must be AT LEAST 8 weeks of age. The Tiny Tots often have to be a little older. I will not ship until the puppy is ready. My veterinarian will assist with the determination by performing a health check. This assures that the puppy is healthy and ready for the trip. The vet will then sign a health certificate signifying this fact.
6. I would like to address one last concern: purchasing a dog "sight unseen" over the internet: People are worried that they will not get the dog for which they paid. Or maybe the dog won't be what they want. Even with pictures, it is difficult for people to buy a dog. They must rely on the breeder to figure out what they want and the personality of the dog.It is imperative that breeders are careful NEVER to misrepresent their dogs. It is important that breeders take the time to listen to the customer and honestly tell them about the individual puppies. I suggest that the buyer ask the breeder for references of people who have purchased puppies from them. People need to know that they will be getting the dog they are expecting. Just like people all puppies have differences. The public needs to remember that a puppy is a long-term investment.
Therefore, it is important to only deal with a reputable breeder. Breeders should put their dogs and their customer's happiness before money. Certainly, breeders want and need to make money because so much hard work and expense goes into raising a healthy and well socialized puppy. However, if the dollar sign is the most important part of their breeding program, quality puppies will not be the end product.
You can take confidence in the fact that a good breeder will ship a puppy in the safest and best possible way to ensure the health and well being of the dog. You should also feel comfortable to ask the breeder as many questions as you need to. I strongly urge the public to get references from former customers and even breeder organizations (i.e., NRTA). Doing the homework assures a person of getting a healthy puppy of good quality.
*And finally, as the prices change frequently on the cost of shipping check with me about shipping prices to your location. I will be happy to let you know ahead of time what it will cost. Here are the two questions I am most frequently asked...
* WHAT IS INVOLVED IN SHIPPING A PUPPY, AND WHY DO SOME BREEDERS CHARGE MORE THAN OTHERS TO SHIP?
* WHY IS THE COST THAT THE AIRLINE QUOTES ME FOR SHIPPING DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU CHARGE TO SHIP?
I will answer both of these together. You can call the Airline and ask what it costs to ship a puppy. Then when you ask me how much it costs the price may be higher. Let me explain why the costs are different. There is so much more to shipping a puppy besides just taking him to the airport.
1) First, the basic cost of shipping by the Airline is the base cost I must pass on.
2) Next, I must find the closest airport for the buyer. This can sometimes take a lot of time. I will not ship the puppy to a small airport that does not handle commercial jets. The puppy can only be sent in a pressurized, climate controlled bay. I must frequently spend extra time with e mails and phone calls getting everything worked out. Once the puppy is scheduled I must E-mail and call the buyer with all the info, the airway bill number, flight number, date and time. This must be done at least 7 days in advance and sometimes weather or other problems get in the way and plans must be changed. If you live far away from a major airport, please plan to arrive there before the pup lands so he will not spend time in the crate. Please do not ask me to send him on by small plane.
3) I spend half a day taking the puppy to the Veterinarian for a health certification, and to make sure he is in the best condition to fly. There is a charge for a health certification and for time and travel to the vet.
4) It takes 2 to 3 hours to get the crate completely ready with all the papers and information for the buyer. It also must be carefully labeled to avoid mistakes on the plane. I clean the puppy, his crate, his blankets and toys the night before. The day of the trip I put him with the blankets and crate pads that he is used to into the crate along with stuffed toys and a safe chew toy for comfort.
5) Then there is the 100 mile trip one way to the airport in Austin, Texas. I do not use the closer, smaller airports. I won't use a plane that does not have a pressurized, climate controlled bay for the pup. This means that I usually must get up before daybreak and have the puppy prepared starting the day before. If traffic is bad it can take me all day to ship a puppy plus mileage, gas and meal expenses. There is no way to truly charge for wear and tear on the car but you can see that it takes it's toll.
6) I do not simply drop the puppy off and go on my way home. I stay with that puppy until he is boarded and the plane takes off, making sure everything will go smoothly for him. I talk to everyone involved making sure his needs will be met. I keep him comforted, as he is used to me. In case he is unable to fly for any reason I am there to take him back home.
7) I do everything I possibly can to make the trip less stressful for the puppy and the new owner. When possible I take puppies along on dry runs when I ship out older pups so that they will get used to riding in a car and all the noises. There is a lot of stress to the breeder when shipping a puppy and I simply cannot just charge what the airline charges alone. If I did that I would soon be out of business and could not sell healthy happy puppies to good homes unless the buyer picks them up from me.
8) I say all this to explain what is involved when I quote the shipping charge to you. I try very hard to be fair in my charges and truly represent the cost to me. That is why each charge may be slightly different. Each situation will be different and I will not do less than the absolute best for any puppy that I ship.
I do hope this helps explain the shipping charges and what is actually involved in shipping a puppy. Please E-Mail or call me for any other questions or concerns you have on this issue. Remember that you are always welcome to pick the puppy up yourself if that is possible for you. :) Marion
Sincerely, Marion Shiller
cc: Continental Airlines
* Special Note on how to help your Puppy handle being shipped *
I would like to add one thing here about low blood sugar in very small pups with a high metabolism. Because I cannot feed them much before going on the plane, sometimes the pup's blood sugar can drop if there are any delays. The Airlines are good about caring for my pups but sometimes the stress of the flight can cause the little ones to burn sugar more than normal.
I encourage you to prepare ahead of time for this. Carry a small amt. of Karo syrup with you and a small bottle of spring water. I raise the pups on well water and they are not used to the smell and taste of city water. Until they adjust you don't want them to get dehydrated or have their blood sugar dump. Most of my pups do well and want to eat right away.
If the pup is acting normally you can give him a couple of pieces of the hard food I send with him along with some water when you first get him. Do offer him some kind of food and water when you first pick him up. If he is listless let him lick some Karo syrup off your fingers along with a bit of water. Then give him a few pieces of puppy food when he perks up. If you feel that he did not weather the trip well a trip to your vet may be necessary. If he does not want to eat or drink within a couple of hours call your vet. I want to reassure you that these complications are rare but can happen. I do everything I can to make sure the flight is not stressful, but I cannot know how each pup will handle it.
I always appreciate a call from you once you get home and get settled so that I can see how the pup did on the trip.
Updated Oct 4th, 2007
