When people first hear the phrase pet transportation services, they often assume it simply means booking a flight for a pet. In reality, they make sense of a complex process, ensuring animals travel safely, comfortably and in full compliance with international regulations.
At Airpets, we understand that pets are not cargo: they are part of your family. As a family-run business established in 1966, we have spent decades honing our approach to pet travel, combining logistics expertise with genuine care for animal welfare. From home collection to air-side drop-off, our team manages every step of the journey so that pets and their owners can travel with confidence.
Below, we explain what professional pet transportation services actually include and why working with our experienced specialists makes such a difference.
Personalised Planning for Every Pet’s Journey
Every relocation begins with careful planning. Requirements can vary depending on the destination country, airline policies, breed considerations, and veterinary regulations.
At Airpets, we begin by learning about your pet, your travel timeline, and the country they will be travelling to. This allows us to create a tailored transport plan that ensures all regulations are met well before the travel date.
This stage of the process may include:
- Identifying entry requirements for your destination
- Planning vaccination timelines
- Coordinating veterinary documentation
- Booking suitable airline routes
- Scheduling pre-travel health checks
Our experience working with airlines and regulatory authorities allows us to simplify what can otherwise be a confusing process for pet owners.
Managing Complex Pet Travel Documentation
One of the most important aspects of pet transportation services is managing the extensive documentation required for international travel.
Many countries have strict rules regarding animal health certificates, vaccinations, and microchipping. Missing or incorrect paperwork can delay your pet’s journey or even prevent entry into the destination country.
Our team handles the documentation process from start to finish, ensuring everything is prepared correctly and submitted on time.
This typically includes:
- Export documentation
- Animal health certificates
- Vaccination records
- Import permits (where required)
- Compliance with the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) or other international regulations
With decades of experience navigating these requirements, we help ensure that pets travel smoothly without unexpected complications.
Airline Booking and Cargo Coordination
Unlike standard passenger travel, pets usually travel as manifest cargo, which involves a specialised booking process with airlines.
As an IATA accredited cargo agent, Airpets works directly with airline cargo operators to arrange suitable flights for pets travelling internationally. This allows us to secure routes that prioritise safety, minimise transit times, and meet airline welfare guidelines.
Our team manages:
- Airline cargo bookings
- Route planning
- Transit coordination
- Airline crate compliance checks
- Communication with airline animal handling teams
This level of coordination ensures that pets are transported under the safest possible conditions.
Crates Designed for Your Pet’s Comfort and Safety
A critical part of professional pet transportation services is providing the correct travel crate.
Airlines require crates to meet strict IATA Live Animals Regulations, which ensure pets have enough space to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably during their journey.
At Airpets, we supply or advise on appropriate crates tailored to each pet’s size, breed, and travel requirements. Our team carefully checks that every crate meets airline standards before travel.
Key considerations include:
- Correct crate size and ventilation
- Secure locking systems
- Absorbent bedding materials
- Water containers for hydration
- Comfortable interior space for movement
A well-prepared crate plays a significant role in keeping pets calm and comfortable throughout their journey.
Home Collections and Transport to the Airport
You are probably understandably concerned about your pet’s journey to the airport. Transporting animals safely requires specialist vehicles and experienced handlers.
As part of our pet transportation services, we can arrange home collection so that pets are transported securely to the airport by trained professionals.
During this stage, our team ensures that pets remain comfortable and monitored throughout the journey. This approach reduces stress for both pets and owners while ensuring the animal arrives at the airport ready for travel.
Handling at Heathrow
Located close to Heathrow, Airpets has long-standing experience working with airport animal facilities and airline cargo teams.
Once pets arrive at the airport, we coordinate the check-in process and prepare them for their flight. This may involve working closely with the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre and cargo handling teams to ensure all documentation and welfare checks are completed correctly.
Our team oversees:
- Pre-flight animal welfare checks
- Final crate inspections
- Cargo check-in procedures
- Coordination with airline handlers
By managing these procedures directly, we ensure pets are prepared properly before boarding their flight.
Supporting Pets and Owners During the Relocation Process
Moving abroad with a pet can feel overwhelming. Regulations, airline policies, and veterinary requirements often vary significantly between countries.
Professional pet transportation services exist to remove this stress from the process. At Airpets, we guide owners through every stage, providing clear communication and expert advice.
Our role is not just logistical. As pet lovers ourselves, we understand how important it is for owners to feel confident about their pet’s wellbeing during travel.
This commitment to care has helped us maintain an excellent reputation and a 4.9 rating on Trustpilot, reflecting the trust families place in our services.
A Family Business Built Around Pet Welfare
Airpets began as a small family business in the 1960s, founded by farmer John Woodward near Heathrow. What started as boarding kennels eventually evolved into a specialist pet transport company as international travel increased and regulations changed.
Today, the business continues to be run by the third generation of the Woodward family, maintaining the same values that shaped the company from the beginning.
Our guiding principle has always been simple: pets are family, never just a shipment.
This philosophy influences everything we do, from how we plan travel routes to how we handle animals during every stage of their journey.
More Than Just Pet Transport
At Airpets, we combine over 50 years of experience with a genuine love for animals to ensure every pet travels safely and comfortably. From planning documentation and preparing travel crates to coordinating flights and handling airport procedures, we manage every detail with the care and attention your pet deserves.
Because when a pet travels with us, they are treated like part of the family.