Transporting?

[Marty]

I'm thinking of starting to Transport dogs myself, I hurt my back again today and I need to do something different, if you have any info to get me started please post it here, all the ups and downs of transporting, I will guarantee safe delivery on time anywhere in the US, will keep phone contact the whole trip ;)

I have 20 + yrs with the dogs so I don't see any problem with it :D

[B]

Reliable transports are always needed. You guys would have all my business :)

Regards,

B

[Marty]

Thanks B, I have to find something new to do I can set and drive no problem ;)

[CB]

I'm thinking of starting to Transport dogs myself, I hurt my back again today and I need to do something different, if you have any info to get me started please post it here, all the ups and downs of transporting, I will guarantee safe delivery on time anywhere in the US, will keep phone contact the whole trip ;)

I have 20 + yrs with the dogs so I don't see any problem with it :DUghh ohh marty you know some of the chicks on here will just pay you to come to your house now.

[JCleve86]

I've put more miles on my car doing transports than you could imagine! Of course mine are all for rescue, and have been paid for out of pocket usually by myself, but recently due to my unemployed status, by whichever group I'm driving for (gas costs only, of course).

I think a lot of you approach depends on what vehicle your going to drive...pick-up? SUV? Sedan? I drive my lovely 99 Accord, and thankfully got into bullydogs since only medium sized crates fit well in my car. I've grown accustomed to having dog fur interior too...I remember my old cloth interior, but only vaguely. And it always smells at least faintly of dog, no matter how much I clean it (and I'm an obsessive cleaner). So be prepared for that if it's an SUV or sedan, where the dog will be in your territory. If your using a pick-up, it's as simple as having enough secure crates that you need and going!

If it's only one dog and he rides decently, I usually just either seat belt him in with a doggy harness contraption (though they do tangle) or tie the dog down to the oh-shit handles...yes, not as safe, but I like to think I'm a safe driver! EXCEPT puppies...NEVER transport puppies in anything but a crate...my back seat learned that the hard way.

Make sure you clean up afterwards, otherwise it builds up...without getting into details, an old friend of mine had dogs going back and forth in a truck for a few weeks, didn't clean in between, and I think the vehicle now permanantly wreeks of dog...and dog...um...substances.

That being said, clean up is fairly easy IF you keep up...I go use the gas station vaccums every time and vaccum the entire car, and than spray down with Nature's Miracle that night (SOAK the seats if it's a sedan). Every once in a while I use the regular vaccum at home to get up under the seats and in the tiny crevaces that the gas station vaccum can't reach. Not as often as I should, but eh...I don't call it "the dog mobile" for nothin. If your using a truck I would think a quick rinse with the hose or just a spray and mop with Natures Miracle would suffice.

A friend also suggested (and it works well) putting one of those cheap-o table cloths down before the crate or if the dog is riding lose...put it vinyl side down and that cottony side up...it'll help soak up any...um...substances, and the vinyl will prevent it from getting to your seats. Pretty handy and cheap!

It sounds like it's going to be more of a business venture for you, so I can't offer much advice that way...except to advertise in places where dog owners are going to see...vet's offices, le forums, doggy boutiques, feed stores, etc.

Good Luck! BTW...driving long distances can be hard on the back...at the ripe old age of 20 I'll usually have sore neck and back...so keep that in mind if your having back issues.

[Marty]

Ughh ohh marty you know some of the chicks on here will just pay you to come to your house now.Well I'd rather come to theres ;)

But this is a serious post! I have to find a new way of making a living and it ain't easy ;)

[B]

Jcleve, a commercial transporter is going to have a special trailer made for hauling dogs. You don't commercially transport mutts in plasti-crates. The trailers are made of full metal with grated bottoms for shavings or substrate. They have air vents and ride in a trailer attached to a tow vehicle. This allows more safety and follows the USDA guideline. I'll see if I can find a nice one and show a link.

Regards,

B

[B]

http://www.chazhound.com/pet-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=302

Something similar to this...

Regards,

B

[Marty]

I've put more miles on my car doing transports than you could imagine! Of course mine are all for rescue, and have been paid for out of pocket usually by myself, but recently due to my unemployed status, by whichever group I'm driving for (gas costs only, of course).

I think a lot of you approach depends on what vehicle your going to drive...pick-up? SUV? Sedan? I drive my lovely 99 Accord, and thankfully got into bullydogs since only medium sized crates fit well in my car. I've grown accustomed to having dog fur interior too...I remember my old cloth interior, but only vaguely. And it always smells at least faintly of dog, no matter how much I clean it (and I'm an obsessive cleaner). So be prepared for that if it's an SUV or sedan, where the dog will be in your territory. If your using a pick-up, it's as simple as having enough secure crates that you need and going!

If it's only one dog and he rides decently, I usually just either seat belt him in with a doggy harness contraption (though they do tangle) or tie the dog down to the oh-shit handles...yes, not as safe, but I like to think I'm a safe driver! EXCEPT puppies...NEVER transport puppies in anything but a crate...my back seat learned that the hard way.

Make sure you clean up afterwards, otherwise it builds up...without getting into details, an old friend of mine had dogs going back and forth in a truck for a few weeks, didn't clean in between, and I think the vehicle now permanantly wreeks of dog...and dog...um...substances.

That being said, clean up is fairly easy IF you keep up...I go use the gas station vaccums every time and vaccum the entire car, and than spray down with Nature's Miracle that night (SOAK the seats if it's a sedan). Every once in a while I use the regular vaccum at home to get up under the seats and in the tiny crevaces that the gas station vaccum can't reach. Not as often as I should, but eh...I don't call it "the dog mobile" for nothin. If your using a truck I would think a quick rinse with the hose or just a spray and mop with Natures Miracle would suffice.

A friend also suggested (and it works well) putting one of those cheap-o table cloths down before the crate or if the dog is riding lose...put it vinyl side down and that cottony side up...it'll help soak up any...um...substances, and the vinyl will prevent it from getting to your seats. Pretty handy and cheap!

It sounds like it's going to be more of a business venture for you, so I can't offer much advice that way...except to advertise in places where dog owners are going to see...vet's offices, le forums, doggy boutiques, feed stores, etc.

Good Luck! BTW...driving long distances can be hard on the back...at the ripe old age of 20 I'll usually have sore neck and back...so keep that in mind if your having back issues.Oh yeah I know about clean up, I can do that ;) and stop every 3 / 4 hrs for the potty thing, I'll be using my van and its very comfortable,http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c218/Marty2k6/gamedogvan2.jpg so I don't forsee a problem, Nancy could also go and help me, I'll have to leave Shon with the dogs but he can handle that ;)

I'm just trying to find something I love to do and I love the breed so what else could be better, nothing lol :D

[Marty]

http://www.chazhound.com/pet-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=302

Something similar to this...

Regards,

BWell I been thinking of buying this... the super 8 any way... http://www.creativesportssupply.com/trailers.htm

[TEXAS PIT DOGS]

well if i would trust anyone to transport dogs it would be you guys,but i dont know really anything about that because i have never done it over just taking one of my own to a friend about 30 minutes or so away from me and that wasnt a big deal by any means.but i dont think it would be that hard to do not for some one who knows these dogs like you do.

[Marty]

Thanks man, its just a thought right now ;)

I need to know if I can get some business first ;)

[J M A N]

Marty,

Those trailers are damn nice but I bet if you checked around a little bit you could probably find one cheaper or have someone locally build it for you for less. Although I now am in automotive sales, I am a welder-metal fabricator by trade and did it for almost 20 years. I know I could build it quite a bit less than what they are asking. I admit....I don't know all the detail work included but I still believe you could find a good local fabricator and have one built for less. This way you can customize it to your exact specifications. Just a thought.

JMAN

[thedude04]

do u know how fare u well be going(like cali to new york) and what youor cost are yet

[Marty]

No not yet, I'm researching it all now, but i will travel the whole USA ;)

Jman... I'm looking around now for a new trailer :D

[thedude04]

well i know who ill go to if u get it off the ground

[DryCreek]

You want to provide a service that is not available, how about crossing the border into and out of Canada.....

[1Pit_ManyLuvs]

here is some info that will help you get start Marty ... Southern Land Kennel ask me to post this for her ..she said you get her business and many others if you get this started !!!

CROSS POSTED FROM ANOTHER BOARD ...
For one thing we have always asked everyone to provide a health certificate on every dog shipped. This is a stumbling block for a lot of gamedog kennels because their main objection is bringing a dog to a vet. A lot dogmen today tell me that they do not have a vet that they can trust or that they do not have a vet or that they are afraid of a paper trail that would lead the Feds to their back door. Some have sited the incident with Boudreaux that the Feds knew about every dog that was shipped. The truth is that if the Feds want to bust you for having dogs then they do not need health certificates. Boudreaux was investigated for shipping dogs oversees so I am told. Ground shipping is different because we do not keep copies of health certificates like the airlines do. The Feds do not require health certificates for ground shipping unless you are a USDA licensed kennel sending out a dog. The States are the ones that require health certificates for ground shipping. If a ground shipper transports a dog across states lines and somehow was stopped and they do not have health certificates then the dog could get confiscated or the transport could get turned around or fined. This is a risk that Dixie Pet Express is not willing to take with your hard earned money. It is not against the law to transport Pit Bulls or any breed of dogs but it is against the law to transport dogs without a health certificate and with all of the BSL laws out there I will not transport any dogs without health certificates. What is a health certificate? It is the same piece of paper that you get from a vet when you ship a dog with the airlines. If the pup is 4 months or older it will need a rabies vaccination in most states. A health certificate costs anywhere from $25.00 up to $100.00 depending on the area you use. Now I have been told by some gamedog kennels that they would not use me if I they had to get a health certificate. My answer has always been that there are many gamedog pet shipping services that do not require health certificates. In my opinion these shippers are hurting the pet shipping industry because they tell people it is not necessary to get health certificates. Logic tells us that over time if you place dogs in close quarters that have not been examined by a vet some will get sick and some will die from cross disease infectivity. You hear stories all the time with the shippers that do not require health certificates about dogs dieing or getting sick. A vet will not issue a health certificate to a sick pup of dog. Use common sense. In closing I would like to say that times are changing with gamedogs and hopefully we can all enjoy them for years to come.

[JCleve86]

Those trailers are sweet! I want one! I think I might need a truck first. lol

[Marty]

You want to provide a service that is not available, how about crossing the border into and out of Canada.....Man, I don't want to go to jail, lol I'll research it though ;)
here is some info that will help you get start Marty ... Southern Land Kennel ask me to post this for her ..she said you get her business and many others if you get this started !!!

CROSS POSTED FROM ANOTHER BOARD ...
For one thing we have always asked everyone to provide a health certificate on every dog shipped. This is a stumbling block for a lot of gamedog kennels because their main objection is bringing a dog to a vet. A lot dogmen today tell me that they do not have a vet that they can trust or that they do not have a vet or that they are afraid of a paper trail that would lead the Feds to their back door. Some have sited the incident with Boudreaux that the Feds knew about every dog that was shipped. The truth is that if the Feds want to bust you for having dogs then they do not need health certificates. Boudreaux was investigated for shipping dogs oversees so I am told. Ground shipping is different because we do not keep copies of health certificates like the airlines do. The Feds do not require health certificates for ground shipping unless you are a USDA licensed kennel sending out a dog. The States are the ones that require health certificates for ground shipping. If a ground shipper transports a dog across states lines and somehow was stopped and they do not have health certificates then the dog could get confiscated or the transport could get turned around or fined. This is a risk that Dixie Pet Express is not willing to take with your hard earned money. It is not against the law to transport Pit Bulls or any breed of dogs but it is against the law to transport dogs without a health certificate and with all of the BSL laws out there I will not transport any dogs without health certificates. What is a health certificate? It is the same piece of paper that you get from a vet when you ship a dog with the airlines. If the pup is 4 months or older it will need a rabies vaccination in most states. A health certificate costs anywhere from $25.00 up to $100.00 depending on the area you use. Now I have been told by some gamedog kennels that they would not use me if I they had to get a health certificate. My answer has always been that there are many gamedog pet shipping services that do not require health certificates. In my opinion these shippers are hurting the pet shipping industry because they tell people it is not necessary to get health certificates. Logic tells us that over time if you place dogs in close quarters that have not been examined by a vet some will get sick and some will die from cross disease infectivity. You hear stories all the time with the shippers that do not require health certificates about dogs dieing or getting sick. A vet will not issue a health certificate to a sick pup of dog. Use common sense. In closing I would like to say that times are changing with gamedogs and hopefully we can all enjoy them for years to come.I'll keep that in mind, thanks ;)

[Suki]

I'll see what I can dig up for you Marty. I'm sure some of the members here will know something, plus I know people involved in pit rescues. I'll hunt around, no problem!:)

Marty, you and I are close in age: I changed what I do for a living, after being in the electronics industry for 20years, now,.. animal care, and I couldn't be happier. The pits, I'm sure, will bring you much joy!!! Go for it!!!!!
head up north, and you can take my bike out for a spin!!!!:D

Again, I'll start asking around.

also: the buliding where I presently work is also a boarding facility, and we have a certain criteria that we, and our customers have to meet, i.e., vaccines, etc. Much of that would also be much like you might need, as you're "boarding, so to speak, an animal/animals for a duration of time. I'll see what our clinic has printed up, and pass it along as well.

[the_flamingo]

What about prices? How will decide what prices to charge? Is it per mile or a flat fee?

Just my personal opinion, but I don't think I would use a carrier that wouldn't require a health certificate. If I wanted a healthy dog transported, I would want it transported with other healthy animals. I wouldn't want to risk my dog possibly getting something from another dog.

Would you have set routes or would you come to a personal house to pick up and transport animals?

That trailer is very nice and a great idea. I would definatly rather have my dog transported in that compared to a plastic crate. Much more secure and safe in my opinion, not to mention much more hygenic.

In overnight trips would you require the dog owner to supply food for the animal or would you supply it? And if you suppling it is it only one type of food? (If it would be me, I'd supply one type & if the dog owner doesn't like make them supply their own. ;) )

And I would have alot of recomendations available to give other people. That would be one of the main things. If someone I know closely trusted you, I would too. ;)

Good Luck. Those were just my main thoughts. :)

[Verderben]

I would not get one of those trailers. If it was me I would not want my dog transported like that. What you should do is take your van and have it done like the animal control vans. our AC vans are full size vans with bank cages built in so when you open the slidding door it is nothing but bank cages and they have a rubber coated grating so that poop , pee, throw up ect, falls to a tray under the grate. this way you can see the dogs and know they are ok but yet they are effectivly contanied so everyone stays safe.

[14rock]

First off, I'm sorry to hear it Marty-contact me in pm and I might have another business proposition for ya ;) !

I think you might be onto something with this. I would definetly use you guys. As for the trailer idea both Jman and Highvoltage have valid points. Personally, I think it would look much better to use the back of a van, or a u-haul trailer...either one with built in kennels instead of a trailer designed like that. For the price of that figure 8 you could easily convert one of the above and have more room for dogs. I've never really thought of this as a profitable stand-alone business...but it may be? I say if you can make a decent living doing what you love, you are much better off than the rich man who wakes up to a job he hates every morning!

[RIVES PITS]

well as long as your rates are competitive and the service is good then i will try you out. are you considering traveling the entire us or are you gonna stick to a certain area?

[Marty]

Well after sleeping on it, as high as gas prices are I might have to start off with the south east and work myself up, just to see how my back will hold up, I'm still thinking about how it all will work out, I will take all advice and make up my mind what to do ;)

[TEXAS PIT DOGS]

actually thats just what i was gonna ask you why dont you try just in your state first then go from there if you like it and it works out for you then go for maybe 2 states and then so on and so forth and work it up from there.espically with the price of gas nowadays.

[SouthernDixie]

Well after sleeping on it, as high as gas prices are I might have to start off with the south east and work myself up, just to see how my back will hold up, I'm still thinking about how it all will work out, I will take all advice and make up my mind what to do ;)
If you do choose to do this, and decide to only work your area at first - maybe other members or friends of yours that are spread out all over the states could help you out. Heck I'm sure you could find numerous business partners around here! ;)

[Marty]

Thats a great idea ;) Good transporters are getting hard to find, I'll keep this in mind :D

[Rockstar]

Marty, it sounds like a wonderful idea. Indeed, good transporters are hard to find. I have a feeling it would become a huge success for you. Best of luck.

[PitBull]

Just an observation, but i work with alot of trailers and that super 8 looks a little light. Being made out of aluminum, it just seems to me like it would bounce a substantial amount. I was lust wondering if anyone has used one of these things? Most of the lighter trailers, even with a decent load will bounce alot if you hit even the smallest bump. Remember, I've never seen one in tow. I could be wrong?