Are you moving far away and trying to figure out how to get your furry friend there in the safest, smoothest way possible? Perhaps you’ve even thought about shipping Fido or Mittens through FedEx.
In this article, we’ll tell you what you need to know when it comes to shipping animals. More specifically, we’ll tell you if FedEx accepts animal shipments and how much pet shipping costs, so keep reading!
Can I Ship a Pet With FedEx In [currentyear]?
FedEx Express doesn’t normally accept live animal shipments, nor does it transport household pets like dogs, cats, birds, or hamsters in [currentyear]. Animals like horses, livestock, non-venomous reptiles, and fish can be shipped through FedEx with proper packaging and the approval of the FedEx Animal Desk. Pet shipping should be done through a specialized, licensed pet shipping company.
If you want to learn more about moving your pets around, then be sure to read the rest of this article for more useful facts and tips!
Can You Ship a Dog Through FedEx?
FedEx Express doesn’t accept live animal shipments as part of its regular service. Moreover, the company doesn’t transport household pets like dogs, cats, birds, or hamsters.
Given that FedEx Express doesn’t ship pets, it should go without saying that FedEx Ground doesn’t either.
That’s because Ground shipping could take anywhere from 1 to 5 business days. Keeping an animal contained for that long is inhumane and unacceptable.
If you need to ship a pet, your best bet is to contact a pet shipping company to help coordinate and facilitate transportation for your pet.
Which Animals Can You Ship Through FedEx?
While FedEx doesn’t ship household pets, some animals can be transported by the company.
For example, FedEx Express accepts shipments of live animals like horses, livestock, and zoo animals (to and from zoo locations only) on a case-by-case basis.
To do so, shippers must get approval from the FedEx Animal Desk. A representative in this department can be reached by calling 1.800.405.9052.
FedEx may also accept non-venomous reptiles, amphibians, fish, and beneficial insects on an exception basis, provided they meet the following conditions:
- Shipments are from a business to a business (e.g. from a breeder to a pet store)
- The shipper must get their packaging tested and pre-approved by FedEx Packaging Design and Development for the type of animal being shipped. Call them at 1.800.633.7019 for more information.
Lastly, it’s important to note that it is the customer’s responsibility to adequately package shipments for all temperature extremes and handling conditions.
Can You Ship Animal Carcasses Through FedEx?
Usually, FedEx Express doesn’t accept animal carcasses as part of its regularly-scheduled service.
However, the company may accept certain shipments of animal heads or other parts for taxidermy if they are properly packaged.
To ship animal carcasses, organs, or other parts, you must be granted an exception from FedEx. To get one, contact the FedEx Animal Desk at 1.800.405.9052.
If granted, the shipper must have their packaging tested and pre-approved by FedEx Packaging Design and Development for the type of animal carcass, organ, or part being shipped.
This division can be reached at 1.800.633.7019.
As with shipping live animals, it’s the responsibility of the shipper to correctly package shipments to account for temperature extremes and handling conditions.
How Much Does It Cost to FedEx a Dog?
As mentioned previously, FedEx doesn’t accept shipments containing dogs, cats, or other household pets.
If you need to ship a pet, we recommend a pet shipping service like one of the following:
- UShip
- Air Animal Pet Movers
- Starwood Animal Transport
- Airpets International
- Blue Collar Pet Transport
- Royal Paws
These services specialize in keeping animals safe, happy, and healthy during long journeys.
Shipping costs depend on the distance traveled and the needs of the dog (or other pet). On average, shipping a dog within 300 miles costs between $120 and $250.
For longer distances, the average cost ranges from $270 to $500.
To know more, you can also read our posts on FedEx reptile shipping, shipping surfboards FedEx, and FedEx informed delivery.
Conclusion
While FedEx Express doesn’t accept shipments of some of the most common types of pets (e.g. cats, dogs, birds, and hamsters), there are plenty of companies specializing in this kind of service.
However, if your pet is a horse, reptile, or fish, you may be able to send it through FedEx. All you need to do is have your request accepted by the FedEx Animal Desk and ensure that your packaging is strong enough to withstand the journey.
