The Pet Transport Industry is one the general public, unsurprisingly, know little about. If you are planning to send a four-legged family member on a trip, knowing the company you are hiring has IPATA International Pet and Animal Transportation Association membership can be critical.

What is IPATA?

IPATA is not a pet shipper, but its members are. They are professionals who follow strict standards like;

• • carrier sizing for animals so they have a comfortable amount of room for their trip
  • ventilation
  • temperature (extreme seasonal temperatures can be deadly for pets)
  • documentation (there is a LOT of paperwork, both from airlines and different governments, to allow pets to travel)

IPATA also works as a network for animal travel companies to coordinate across international borders.

Why should you care about IPATA?

Here are four areas where IPATA membership matters to your pet (and you).

1. International Travel
We can’t have an office everywhere so we work with other IPATA members in other countries. You know there is a professional at both ends of your pet’s journey.

2. Scam Protection
There are shady companies who will take your deposit and disappear. Others will take shoddy care of your pet and break their commitments to you. IPATA has a directory of members where you can look up a given company. A quick check can help save you and your pet from a scam.

3. Standards
Protect your pet and avoid problems at borders and/or with airlines.

4. Travel Within Canada
A little easier than international travel but there are still strict requirements on the pet’s carrier and their handling.

How serious is Worldwide Animal Travel about IPATA?

Our Managing Director, Bruno Mansueto, has served and continues to serve as Regional Director for the Americas at IPATA.

We’ve won IPATA awards:

• • Best Operational Service Provider
  • Industry Partner Award
  • Millie Woolf Memorial

Also, Worldwide Animal Travel was the first company in Canada to be BOAS certified by IPATA.

The bottom line

If you are trusting someone with your family’s pet, IPATA membership is an objective and easily checked credential.

FAQ

Are pet transport companies regulated in Canada?

A: No. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has specific requirements pets and other animals must meet in order to travel through or enter Canada. Airlines have their own rules before allowing pets onboard.
However, that is not the same as a company being regulated.

What is IPATA?

A: IPATA (International Pet and Animal Transportation Association) is the global trade association for professional animal transport companies. IPATA is not a pet shipper itself, but its members are — and they commit to strict standards of conduct and animal safety.

How do I know a pet shipper is legitimate?

A: Refer to the official IPATA member directory — a quick lookup confirms the company is a member in good standing. Beyond that, a reputable company will have a physical address, clear contact information, and documented experience with the specific route and airline you need.

What is BOAS certification?

A: BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) certification means a company has been trained by IPATA to assess and safely handle flat-faced breeds such as pugs, bulldogs and Persian cats, which face higher respiratory risks when flying.