Happy Tails Alerts

New LIVE Chat!

We are excited to launch our new live chat feature on our website! Have questions about our services? Wondering what the best method of transport is for your pet? Simply click the tab on the bottom right-hand side of our webpage to message us!

Responses will be received as quickly as possible during business hours (7 am - 4 pm MST Mon - Fri). After hours, the chat feature will leave us a message and we will respond the next working day.

Featured Testimonial

"Kim at Happy Tails Travel is an absolute miracle worked. My 125 lb wolfhound more than exceeds normal size regulations, but she found me a kennel AND an airline that could fly him from Maui to Alaska - something that no other pet relocation service was able to offer."

Make sure to read the rest of Weylyn's testimonial and our others here!

Why Choose Happy Tails Travel

By: Bridget Monrad, R.N. | Nov 16, 2018


There is a special niche market within travel and relocation – that is pet relocation.  While not often mentioned, there is such a high demand for professional pet transporters that there is an association made up of many of the leading industry pet travel professionals.  This association is known as the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA).  With so many options to choose from, how do you know which company is best for your pets and your unique moving situation?

When determining which company will be best for your individual needs there are a few factors to first consider.  First, you need to look at where your pets need to travel to and from. Not all companies are able to provide service worldwide, so this can help you narrow down your options.  Similarly, you must consider the type of pet you need to move. Not all companies are able to accommodate all types of animals; you want to ensure that you are working with a company who has the proper protocols and vehicles to take care of your pet family member.  Lastly, you need to think about what type of transportation you prefer for your pet.  For example, do you prefer air or ground transport?  Not all companies offer both services and not all animal breeds can fly.  If you are unsure over which method of transportation is best for your pet, reach out to a professional pet relocation company such as Happy Tails Travel!

Now that you know the basics of what to look for when selecting a professional pet transporter, let us tell you what makes Happy Tails Travel unique and stand apart from its competitors.  Firstly, Happy Tails Travel is able to offer both air and ground transportation! While ground transportation is limited to the contiguous United States, long distance ground transportation is not offered by many companies. Additionally, Happy Tails Travel has been in business for 23 years and a member of IPATA since 1996.  We have an easy to fill out pet travel form on our website and once submitted we will provide you with a free, non-obligational estimate.  We also have a presence on all of the major review sites including an A+ rating on the BBB, and reviews on Google, Yelp, and FaceBook.

More companies offer air transportation than ground.  However, there are still service standards which set Happy Tails Travel apart from the others.  We handle all of the logistics for your pet’s move from start to finish.  This results in our services minimizing discomfort and stress for both you and your pet.  We are very selective in which airlines we work with, and only work with those with the best pet programs in place. We have a full staff of pet relocation specialists within which are employees who specialize in domestic and international relocation; we match you with the best employee for your pet family member’s relocation.  Prior to the flight we will assist you in obtaining a travel carrier of appropriate size and will provide instructions on how to professionally prepare the pet travel crate to ensure a safe and comfortable flight for your pet.  By e-mail, you will receive customized pet shipping and airline flight instructions such as information on documentation and country requirements.  We can also work one-on-one with your vet to ensure proper documentation preparation if desired.  If time allows, you will receive a Pet Travel Packet in the mail with all the required airline flight documents and crate stickers and customized tags.  On your pet’s travel day, we will track your pet’s flight from start to finish and update you along the way. If needed, we can arrange pick-up and delivery for your pet to or from their flights or assistance getting your pet to their vet appointments.  Lastly, if for some reason your pet cannot be accommodated on a flight, we can offer ground transportation as an alternative within the contiguous USA. 

Beyond merely offering pet ground relocation, we have many unique service offerings within our ground service that sets us apart from competitors.  We limit how many pets are in each vehicle, and dogs have the option of riding in a crate or with a leash and harness.  We allow clients to select if they prefer private transportation just for their pet, or if available, we offer ride share programs.  Furthermore, we do not have any breed or size restrictions when it comes to dogs.  We have a fleet of drivers, so we are flexible when working with your schedule. The price you pay is tailored to your route and the needs of your pet. We have a dedicated full-time ground transport logistics coordinator to coordinate and track your pet’s journey.  While in route, we provide 24-hour, one-on-one, customized pet care to each pet’s unique needs.  Our drivers and staff at Happy Tails Travel will communicate with you throughout your pet’s transport including photos and/or videos of your pet and updates on the estimated time of arrival.  Dogs are walked every 2 - 4 hours, or as requested by their owner.  Each of our vehicles are GPS monitored from our office to keep track of the current location of our drivers and your pet at all times.  All of our drivers are hired upon upholding high standards and complying with quality checks.  Our drivers have the flexibility to drive as long as they feel comfortable doing so each day, but we require them to stay in pet friendly hotels overnight.  Unlike many other companies, health certificates are not required for all transports, but may be requested depending on your pet's unique situation.  Together these services result in a high standard of customized care for your pet during their ground transportation to their new home!

We hope this summary of services educates you about what to look for when selecting the company in which to entrust the safety and comfort of your furry family member. We have provided high standards of care of the 23 years we have been in business and do not plan on stopping anytime soon.  We have confidence that after reading this blog and reviewing our website you can see the value of working with Happy Tails Travel.  If you have any questions or would like an estimate please visit our Website, and fill out our Pet Travel Form today!