Guide to Traveling with Cats: Air, Train, & Car Tips

Part 1: Air and Train Shipping

【Air Shipping Process】

Air transport can be categorized into two types:

1. Random Shipping: This involves your cat accompanying you on the same flight, but not entering the cabin with you. Instead, your feline friend is kept in an oxygenated crate. Upon landing, you'll collect your pet at the airport's pet station.

2. Separate Shipping: Your cat travels alone on the plane, and you would need to retrieve it from the airport's cargo department upon arrival.

Below, we delve into the detailed process of random shipping:

Step 1: Contact the airline's customer service to confirm if your flight has an oxygenated compartment and then apply for a pet shipping slot.

Step 2: Inquire and clarify the airline's specific requirements, such as Shenzhen Airlines' rule that the temperature on the day of travel must not exceed 30 degrees Celsius.

Step 3: Ask about the airline's restrictions on pet breeds, as some may prohibit shipping brachycephalic cats and dogs.

Step 4: Once you've secured an oxygenated compartment pet shipping slot, prepare the necessary shipping documents. Typically, this includes a pet vaccination certificate, a health certificate, and an airlineapproved crate.

Step 5: Obtain the health certificate, usually by visiting your local animal health department, and remember to bring your pet's vaccination record.

Tips: It's advisable to get the health certificate a day or two in advance; it's free and can be picked up immediately.

Step 6: Prepare the airline crate in advance, line it with puppy pads, and note that for short domestic flights, it's not recommended to place food and water inside to prevent spills.

Step 7: Upon arrival at the airport, inform the staff of your pet's shipping status and then take your pet to be packed.

Step 8: Weigh and pay for your pet's shipping, following the staff's instructions to take your pet to the oversized luggage shipping area, which is separate from regular luggage.

Step 9: After landing, collect your pet's ticket and retrieve your pet from the pet station.

【Train Shipping Process】

Step 1: Contact China Railway Express at the train station in advance to confirm if your chosen train is suitable for animal transport.

Step 2: Prepare the required documents (pet vaccination certificate, health certificate, and a prepared airline crate), and follow the steps outlined in the air shipping method.

Tips: Health certificates generally have an expiration of 35 days, so plan your timing accordingly and avoid obtaining them too early.

Part 2: Bus Shipping

Most bus shipping services, aside from requiring an immunization certificate, do not have specific regulations. However, pets can only be placed in the luggage compartment (unventilated, no oxygen supply, potentially high temperatures, the compartment is rarely opened during the journey, and there may be no staff or cameras monitoring), so it is not recommended for pet shipping.

Part 3: Car, Taxi, or RideSharing Shipping

Select an appropriately sized airline crate where your cat can stand and turn around comfortably. Fast your cat and provide a familiar toy and puppy pads in the crate. Familiarize your cat with the crate a month in advance.