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No. LetterAgent can't do this one: our shipping labels are Canada Post Xpresspost labels for ordinary parcels up to 5 kg, and parcel networks don't move live animals. Real options are airline cargo live-animal programs, pet-relocation services, or driving the animal yourself. This is general information, not legal advice.
Dogs and cats fly as cargo or checked baggage on most major airlines, in airline-approved crates, with health certificates from a vet. That is the mainstream route for pets, and it exists precisely because parcel carriers won't take them. Beyond pets, the options narrow fast: some postal services accept a short list of small live animals (day-old poultry is the classic example), each with strict container, labeling, and timing rules. Everything else goes through specialist animal transport companies.
Cross a border and the rules multiply. Most countries require import permits, quarantine periods, or specific vaccinations for incoming animals, and some ban certain species outright. The paperwork has to be complete before the animal travels: an animal turned away at the border is a welfare emergency, not just an inconvenience.
| Channel | What it handles | What to know first |
|---|---|---|
| Airline cargo / checked baggage | Dogs, cats, some small pets | Airline-approved crate, vet health certificate, breed and weather restrictions apply |
| Pet-relocation service | Pets, including international moves | They handle permits and quarantine booking; book well ahead |
| Specialist animal transport | Livestock, exotic species, zoo animals | Licensed handlers only; regulated at the federal level |
| Postal live-animal programs | A short list, e.g. day-old poultry | Container and timing rules are strict; most animals excluded |
| Driving it yourself | Anything legal to own | Often the simplest and least stressful option for the animal |
The crate is the first gate. Airlines require rigid, ventilated crates that the animal can stand, turn, and lie down in, with secure latches and no wheels that could roll. Soft-sided carriers are for cabin travel only, and only for animals small enough to fit under the seat. A surprising number of animals get turned away at check-in over the crate, so buy the crate early and confirm it against the airline's published dimensions.
Second gate: breed and weather. Snub-nosed dog and cat breeds face restrictions on many airlines because of breathing risk, and most airlines embargo animal cargo during extreme heat or cold. Third gate: timing. Health certificates are typically only valid for a short window before travel, so the vet visit has to be scheduled close to the flight, not a month ahead.
If the animal is a pet moving with you, start with your airline's pet policy, not with a parcel carrier. Read the crate requirements, the certificate window, and the breed restrictions before booking anything. For an international move, talk to a pet-relocation service early: the permit and quarantine timelines run in weeks and months, and missing one deadline cascades.
If you are buying an animal from a breeder far away, ask how they deliver. Reputable breeders have this solved: they either fly the animal through the cargo program themselves or use couriers who specialize in it, and they will tell you exactly what paperwork arrives with the animal. A breeder who suggests mailing a pet through a parcel service is telling you something about themselves. And for short distances, the honest answer is usually the car: no permits, no crates in a cargo hold, no weather embargoes.
Ready to ship it? Get a shipping label with LetterAgent: describe it to your AI assistant, approve the exact quoted price, and get your label.
LetterAgent is a working name. Prices include print, postage, and our service fee. US prices in USD, Canadian prices in CAD (Canadian prices exclude applicable sales tax, added at checkout). Currently in private testing.
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