Shipping & Delivery

Shipping a Kitten: What to Expect

When shipping a kitten, we handle all the travel arrangements for you. If air transportation is required, we will ship your kitten to the nearest major airport, and delivery can also be arranged directly to your home address. Our specialists identify the closest airport for your kitten’s journey, ensuring we only utilize airlines that follow a Pet Safe Program. After selecting the airport, we coordinate all schedules and considerations, book your flight, and send you an email itinerary detailing the flight times, schedules, and pickup locations. On the day of your kitten’s journey, we will transport them to the airport. Once all paperwork is completed and your kitten is checked in, you will receive an email or phone call updating you on their travel status.

Is It Safe for the Kitten?

Many people inquire about the safety of shipping a kitten, often wondering if the experience is frightening for them and how long it takes. Here’s how I explain the process to help ease any concerns:

Shipping a Kitten Is Very Safe

While the idea of shipping a kitten may seem harsh, it’s important to realize that the experience is likely harder for us than for the kitten. With many years of shipping experience, I assure you that all kittens are well cared for throughout their journey. Airlines prioritize the well-being of animals to avoid lawsuits and customer dissatisfaction. To ensure your kitten is comfortable, I tape feeding instructions to the top of the crate and provide frozen water that will gradually thaw during the flight, along with food for the duration of their travel.

The average flight duration is around 2 to 5 hours. I keep track of any potential delays or layovers and have precise information on departure times, ensuring I can keep you informed every step of the way.

Your kitten will usually arrive the same day it departs, often just a few hours later. Inside the crate, I place a soft bed made from shredded newspapers for them to nestle in, along with a pig’s ear chew (a favorite of theirs) and a toy or sock that carries my scent to help them feel secure.

What About Winter Shipping? Is It Too Cold?

If you decide to go forward with adopting a kitten, I promise—based on my extensive experience—that your kitten will arrive safe and sound. Cats can be shipped safely when temperatures are between 20 and 85 degrees, per airline regulations. They travel in the plane’s belly, where the temperature is kept at a comfortable 70 degrees, just like for passengers. Kittens are the last to board and the first to disembark the plane. Therefore, shipping during colder months is completely safe—there’s no need to be concerned. Just like a traveler heading to meet family or friends for the holidays, shipping a kitten is a similar experience, and probably even a bit simpler. Airlines do enforce temperature limits to protect the animals, which is beneficial for the kittens, even though the travel compartment is always maintained at a comfortable temperature.

It’s also worth noting that most shippers specializing in pet transport use electronic temperature-regulating crates to ensure optimal conditions throughout the journey.

What’s Involved in the Shipping Process?

As I’m located just 30 minutes from the nearest airport and do not charge extra for delivery like many breeders, I strive to make each trip efficient by transporting multiple kittens when possible. To help facilitate this, please provide several times or days when you or another authorized individual with ID will be available to pick up the kitten. Once all payments are received, I can book your kitten’s travel. Be sure to share your availability, your nearest airport, home address, and phone number.

Typically, I can only book a flight one day in advance, allowing me to monitor temperature conditions for safe shipping. After scheduling the flight, I will contact you with the flight number, pickup times, and location details.

All you need to do is pick up your kitten at the airport, bringing a couple of forms of identification, such as a driver’s license or insurance card, along with the airway bill number I provide. I kindly ask that you contact me as soon as possible after receiving your kitten. I am eager to hear how the journey went and if you have any further questions!