At Velvet Snuggles, we understand that welcoming a new puppy into your family is a significant moment—and for many of our clients, that means having their puppy shipped to them. One of the most common questions we receive is about the safety and comfort of the shipping process.

We’re here to assure you: yes, it is safe, and we take every precaution to ensure your puppy travels comfortably and arrives healthy, happy, and ready to be loved.

Common Questions We Hear:

"Will my puppy be scared during the flight?"
"How long does the journey take?"
"Is it safe for a small puppy to travel alone in a crate?"

These are all understandable concerns, and we’re happy to explain how the process works and what measures we take to protect your puppy’s wellbeing.

How Puppy Shipping Works:

Safe, Airline-Approved Travel Crates:
Each puppy is placed in a secure, airline-approved crate that is appropriately sized and lined with soft, absorbent bedding. They also have access to food and water throughout their journey.
Direct Flights When Possible:
We aim to schedule direct flights to minimize travel time and reduce stress. If a layover is necessary, it is kept as short as possible and handled through pet-friendly airlines with climate-controlled pet areas.
Health and Wellness Check:
Before traveling, every puppy is examined by a licensed veterinarian and issued a health certificate, confirming they are fit to fly. This ensures your puppy is healthy and well-prepared for travel.
Temperature-Controlled Shipping:
We only ship when weather conditions are appropriate. Airlines we work with offer climate-controlled cabins for live animals, so your puppy stays safe and comfortable regardless of external temperatures.
Communication and Tracking:
You’ll receive updates throughout the process, including tracking information and instructions for pickup. We’re also available to answer questions before, during, and after your puppy’s trip.
Puppy Preparation:
Prior to their departure, we help prepare your puppy with crate training basics so the crate is not a foreign or scary place. This reduces anxiety and helps them settle during the journey.

A Gentle Journey to a Loving Home

While your puppy may experience a bit of curiosity or confusion at first, puppies are naturally resilient and adapt quickly. Many arrive wagging their tails, excited to explore their new surroundings and meet their new families.

Shipping your puppy is not just about logistics—it’s about careful planning, thoughtful handling, and a commitment to the safety and comfort of your new companion.

If you have any additional concerns or would like to learn more about the shipping process, please feel free to reach out. We're here to guide you every step of the way.

Is Shipping a Puppy Safe?

Absolutely. While the idea of shipping a puppy might seem stressful at first, rest assured—it’s a safe and well-managed process. Based on many years of experience, I can confidently say that puppies are handled with great care during transit. Airlines follow strict protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of all live animals on board. In fact, they are highly motivated to treat animals with care to avoid liability issues and maintain customer trust.

To ensure your puppy’s comfort, I securely attach feeding instructions and a small amount of food to the top of the crate. Water is provided in a frozen form, allowing it to gradually thaw during the trip. This keeps the puppy hydrated throughout the journey.

Crates are lined with a soft bed of shredded newspaper and often include a chew toy or a familiar item with my scent—like a small blanket or sock—to help the puppy feel more secure and relaxed.

Flights typically last between 4 to 6 hours, and your puppy will usually arrive on the same day they are sent. I monitor all flight details and remain informed of any delays or layovers to keep you updated every step of the way.

Is It Safe to Ship in the Winter?

Yes, it is! Puppies can be shipped safely as long as temperatures fall within 20°F to 85°F, per airline guidelines. All puppies travel in climate-controlled compartments—maintained at a comfortable 70°F—just like the passenger cabin. Airlines also ensure that puppies are the last to be loaded and the first to be unloaded, minimizing their time on the tarmac.

During colder months, the airlines may enforce additional temperature regulations to protect the animals, which we fully support. If conditions are not ideal, we’ll simply wait for the next available window, or schedule flights early in the morning or late evening, depending on the season.

For added security, many professional pet shippers now offer temperature-regulated “electronic crates”, which automatically maintain an ideal environment throughout the journey.

How Does the Shipping Process Work?

We aim to make the process as seamless and stress-free as possible:

Scheduling: Since I live about 30 minutes from the airport, I often arrange multiple deliveries at once to streamline the process. To help us coordinate, please provide several date and time options when you or someone you trust (with a valid ID) is available to pick up the puppy.
Booking: Flights can only be booked up to three days in advance to ensure temperature compliance. Once everything is confirmed and payment is received, I’ll secure a booking and send you all necessary details—including the flight number, arrival time, pickup location, and an airway bill number.
Pickup: On arrival day, simply bring a valid form of identification (e.g., driver’s license or insurance card) and the provided airway bill number to your local airport to pick up your puppy.
Follow-Up: Once you've received your new companion, I kindly ask that you let me know how everything went! I love hearing your feedback and am happy to assist with any follow-up questions.

While this may sound like a lot of information, the process moves quickly and smoothly once it begins.

What Are the Shipping Costs?

We partner primarily with reliable domestic airlines known for their excellent service, and we also offer international shipping upon request. If you’re located far from a major airport, we’re happy to explore nearby alternatives that may be more convenient for you.

Typical domestic shipping fees range from $150 to $300, and include:
- Airline-approved pet crate
- Health certificate from a licensed veterinarian
- Travel coordination and communication
Purchasing two puppies? We can place them in a larger crate together for comfort and ease.
Occasional Promotions: From time to time, we offer free shipping vouchers through our trusted pet courier service. If your purchase falls within one of these promotional periods, shipping will be completely free of charge.

To help us best coordinate, please provide the names of two airports you’re willing to travel to for pick-up. This flexibility ensures we can choose the most efficient and safest route for your new puppy’s journey.