Now, with the availability of shipping, you don't have to settle for what is close by or wait for what is available in your area when you are looking for that special kitten! Even breeders welcome the addition of new blood to their breeding programs from far away and shipping is most often the easiest method for transporting new breeding animals or for sending an animal out for breeding.

While we prefer people pick up their kittens however, that isn't always possible.

We try to meet all our customers' wishes, however, the welfare of our kittens always comes first!

We will make all the arrangements and try to meet our customer's needs.

We do understand how excited you might be after searching for that special kitten and now that you have found it, you want it as soon as possible! Remember, these things take a little time. Vet appointments must be made to obtain the Health Certificate and they are not always immediate, but can usually be made in a day or two.

We are able to ship pretty fast, as long as all criteria and legal requirements for the airlines are met. Once the terms have been agreed to, contract/health guarantee have been signed and returned, (Emailing a contract for our customer to print out in duplicate, sign both copies, and return one signed copy by next-day delivery may be necessary to expedite the shipping time.) and all costs paid prior to shipping, (We have PayPal on our site as an added convenience. You can use your credit card through PayPal or just make a payment. Please remember to add 3 % if using PayPal.) We can then finalize shipping.

To ship a kitten or cat most of the things involved are as follows:

The weather at both the destination and origination has to be between 40 degrees and 85 degrees or the airlines will not ship without an Acclamation Statement from a licensed veterinarian that states the animal can withstand somewhat lower temperatures for an hour or so.

We will book a flight that is in agreement with both our customer and us. Depending on the destination, a variety of arrival times are available however, late evening or early morning pickup may be involved. We will try to arrange a flight that will be an acceptable arrival time for our customers but that is not always possible. Some of this depends on the size of the airplane and how many animals can be booked on a particular flight. If a flight is full, and another flight has to be booked, the arrival time may not be the most convenient. The size and hours kept by the destination airport also add to the timing. Some smaller airports close their cargo area on weekends. Be prepared to take time off to pick up your kitten at your airport should the arrival time not be exactly what you would like.

We will make the veterinarian appointment and take the kitten/cat to the veterinarian for the health examination needed to obtain the Health Certificate and Acclamation Statement. This will be done as soon as possible to allow most of the 10-day period prior to the shipping date as possible

We will purchase an appropriate airline crate (paid by the buyer) and deliver the kitten/cat along with the documentation to the cargo area (or ticket counter if shipping by "counter to counter" method) at Sacramento International Airport using the specific airlines agreed upon by the purchaser and breeder

Documentation needed:
A health examination for a Health Certificate and Acclamation Statement is required by all airlines. This is only good for 10 days. The minimum age is usually 10 weeks. Also needed is a copy of a valid rabies certificate or a written statement from a veterinarian why the animal does not have the rabies vaccine, for example, it is too young.

If applicable, quarantine arrangements must be made and all required government permits ready and available including CITES permits/certificates. (International flights only)

At this time, until the CITES requirements are lifted from Bengals; Serrano Bengals will not ship Internationally.

Crate:
A crate to specific IATA (International Air Transport Association) guidelines is also required by the airlines. The crate must be tall enough for the animal to stand, lie down, and turn around in, and must be wider and longer than the animal. It must have vents on at least three sides (four sides for International flights) and rims around the kennel to prevent ventilation openings from being blocked. It must have a handle that allows lifting the animal without placing hands inside the kennel. Note: Handles cannot be covered with labels, tape, or pouches.

Vari-Kennels meet these requirements and can be purchased at most airline cargo areas. Size 100 usually is sufficient for kittens.

Number of animals allowed per crate is one cat (or two kittens under the age of 6 months old, 20 pounds or similar size.)

The crate must be easily accessible for the removal of the animal. (Nothing tied around the door.)

The crate must also have a food and water dish attached inside the door.

Marking and Labeling:
The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the shipper at origin and consignee (purchaser) at the destination as well as the breed of the animal has to be on a label affixed to the kennel.

Orientation labels must be affixed to at least two sides (up arrows) and the label "Live Animal", with a minimum of 1-inch high letters, on the top and at least one side.

Food and water instructions posted on the top of the kennel including information as to when the animal was last offered food and water.

Costs:
Shipping by airfreight, which is the least expensive, is based on the weight and/or size of the container (crate). Currently, shipping is about $100.00 or less for short trips to $190.00 for cross-country. The kitten will be placed in a special pressurized, climatized compartment in the plane where all animals are kept. The weather cannot be too extreme for this type of transportation because the kitten may have a long layover of several hours if a plane change is necessary.

At any time, the airlines can increase their charges, tariffs, or homeland security taxes. These figures are based on our most recent flights. Crates run around $40.00. The health examination with the Health Certificate and Acclamation Statement is $48.00 at this time.

Counter-to-counter is another way to ship if the weather is bad. That means the kitten is taken to and from the plane by an agent. You would be picking up your kitten at the ticket counter. This method may be a bit more in cost but the layover time for the kitten might be a lot less and it will be possible to ship in bad weather by this method.

All shipping costs are to be paid in advance of shipping by the purchaser.

We have been shipping animals for many years and have used most major airlines and a few of the newer, smaller ones. We have never lost a pet yet. The airlines are very careful with your pets.

It may seem like a lot to go through to ship but remember, we make all the arrangements and do the work. This is for your benefit so you are more informed as to what is involved.