Happy Tails Alerts
New LIVE Chat!
We are excited to launch our new live chat feature on our website! Have questions about our services? Wondering what the best method of transport is for your pet? Simply click the tab on the bottom right-hand side of our webpage to message us!
Responses will be received as quickly as possible during business hours (7 am - 4 pm MST Mon - Fri). After hours, the chat feature will leave us a message and we will respond the next working day.
Featured Testimonial
"Kim at Happy Tails Travel is an absolute miracle worked. My 125 lb wolfhound more than exceeds normal size regulations, but she found me a kennel AND an airline that could fly him from Maui to Alaska - something that no other pet relocation service was able to offer."
Make sure to read the rest of Weylyn's testimonial and our others here!
IPATA: What is it and why is Happy Tails Travel a member?
If you have been looking around our website, you may have noticed a little logo that says: IPATA. You may be wondering, what is it? IPATA, or the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association, is a global organization specifically for pet transport companies, like ours, around the globe.
So, what do they do? Their mission statement, listed on their website, says it best: “The International Pet and Animal Transportation Association is a non-profit trade association of independent members who are dedicated to the safe and humane transport of pets and other animals.” Because of their strict code of ethics, you can be sure that any member of IPATA will treat you and your furry family with the respect and care they deserve.
When you choose an IPATA member to work with, you can rest assured that they are fully insured and licensed, and have shown understanding of the Live Animal Regulations (LAR) and Pet Shipping through regular testing and ongoing education. IPATA members must take a test and receive passing certification, at minimum, every 3 years to ensure that they are up-to-date with regulations and best practices for animal care and pet transportation. There is also an annual fee and specific guidelines to sign and follow to be a member as well as a minimum year of being an associate member before you are recognized as a full, active member. Upholding a host of ethics and standards of practice and communication requirements must be constantly met, as well, in order to remain a member. IPATA also hosts a global conference and several regional conferences each year for members so that they can continue to learn and stay at the forefront of the industry.
IPATA is also working tirelessly to combat the ongoing issue of pet scams. We regularly hear about situations where someone has paid for a puppy or kitten along with transportation, but never received their new family member. That’s because, sadly, the animal never existed in the first place. IPATA has resources on their website to teach the public about pet scams and how to avoid them. You can also report a scam to IPATA to help warn other potential victims. To learn more about pet scams, you can read our post on how they work and how to avoid them.
Happy Tails Travel fully supports the mission of IPATA and has been a member since 1996, just one year after we opened our doors. Our partnership has helped us to continue to provide excellent service whether your pet is traveling By Ground Safe and Sound or By Air With Care. If you have any questions about your pets’ travel plans, fill out our Pet Travel Form to receive a free, no obligation estimate.