How to Choose a Pet Transport Company You Can Trust (And Spot the Scams)

Handing your pet to someone else for a long-distance move is an act of trust — which is exactly why pet transport has become a target for scammers. Before you book with anyone, run through this checklist.

Confirm Bureau of Animal Industry Accreditation

In the Philippines, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) is the government authority for licensing and inspecting commercial pet shippers and processing export permits. Any legitimate company should be able to point to their BAI accreditation and export permit history. If a company can’t point you to their registration, treat that as a hard stop, not a minor gap.

Look for Real Business Credentials

A legitimate transporter has a physical business address, a working business phone number, and a professional email domain — not a free Gmail or Yahoo account. Membership in IPATA (the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association) is a strong signal, since members must pass proficiency exams, complete IATA Live Animals Regulations training, carry business liability insurance, and follow a formal code of ethics.

Check Reviews Beyond Their Own Website

Testimonials on a company’s own site are the easiest thing in the world to fabricate. Check Google Reviews, Trustpilot, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau instead. A pattern of complaints about non-delivery, refund refusal, or unreachable support after booking is disqualifying, no matter how polished the website looks.

Watch the Pricing and Payment Method

A single lump-sum quote with no breakdown of costs is a warning sign — legitimate shippers can itemize fuel, crating, health certificate handling, and any layover or boarding fees. Ground transport typically runs $0.50–$3.00 per mile depending on the service; if a quote for fifteen hundred miles comes in at a couple hundred dollars, the math doesn’t work, and that’s usually the tell of a scam. Just as important: any transporter asking to be paid via Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, PayPal Friends & Family, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency should be an automatic red flag. Legitimate companies accept payment methods that offer you buyer protection, like a credit card.

Communication Should Be a Real Conversation

You should be able to get a real person on the phone or a video call before you commit. A company that only communicates through a contact form or text message, and avoids live conversation, is behaving exactly like the scam operations that have been documented repeatedly in pet owner communities.

Get It in Writing

A written contract covering fees, responsibilities, timeline, and insurance coverage is non-negotiable. So are stated privacy and refund policies. Never send full payment before you have documentation in hand and verified — a deposit structure with the balance due at pickup or delivery is standard for reputable operators.

The Short Version

Verify the BAI accreditation, check third-party reviews, insist on an itemized quote, refuse untraceable payment methods, and get everything in writing. If a company clears all five, you’re in good hands.

At PetTransPRO, our licensing, insurance, and pricing are all documented and available on request — no lump-sum guesswork, no pressure to pay by wire transfer. Get a quote and see exactly what you’re paying for.