How to Vet a Dog Ground Transporter: 12 Questions to Ask Before You Book

Hiring a ground transporter is one of the most consequential decisions you’ll make for your dog’s safety. Yet most people book based on a Google search and a few reviews — without knowing what they don’t know.

Here are the 12 questions every owner should ask before signing a transport contract.

1. Are you USDA-licensed or USDA-exempt — and can you show me documentation?

Any transporter moving dogs in commerce may be subject to the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Commercial transporters moving animals for compensation across state lines generally require USDA Class T (transporter) licensing. Ask for their license number and verify it at the APHIS license search tool.

Breeders transporting their own dogs to buyers may qualify for an AWA exemption — but the exemption is narrow. Don’t accept a vague “we’re exempt” without understanding why.

2. How many dogs do you transport per trip?

The answer matters for two reasons: stress and safety. A van transporting 15+ dogs from multiple sources has fundamentally different risk dynamics than a solo transport of your one dog. Ask for the maximum load, and ask whether dogs from different households are comingled.

3. What is your vehicle setup?

Professional carriers use:

• Climate-controlled vehicles (not cargo vans with improvised ventilation)
• Individual, secure crates per dog
• Crates sized to the dog’s breed and ability to stand/turn/lie down comfortably
• Non-slip flooring

Ask for photos of the transport vehicle and crate setup before booking.

4. How often do dogs get rest stops and water?

USDA regulations require food every 24 hours and water every 12 hours for dogs in transport. Reputable carriers exceed this — offering water every 4–6 hours and rest stops every 4–8 hours depending on route and weather.

5. What is your emergency protocol?

Ask specifically: what happens if a dog shows signs of illness, injury, or extreme stress during transport? Who do they call? Do they have a veterinary contact on route? How do they notify the owner?

A carrier who hasn’t thought through their emergency protocol hasn’t done this at a professional level.

6. Do you carry commercial liability insurance and cargo insurance?

A reputable transport operation carries:

• Commercial auto insurance (not personal — personal policies often exclude business use)
• Cargo/animal liability insurance covering injury or death of animals in their care

Ask for the certificate of insurance. If they can’t produce one, walk away.

7. Can you provide owner references for dogs similar to mine?

Anyone can manufacture reviews. Ask for direct phone or email references from owners who transported dogs of a similar breed, size, or distance within the last 6 months. A confident, experienced carrier will have these readily available.

8. What is your experience with my dog’s breed?

This matters enormously for brachycephalic breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, English Bulldogs), large working breeds, anxious or reactive dogs, and senior dogs. Ask specifically about their experience — not just “yes I’ve transported dogs like yours” but how many, over what distances, and any complications encountered.

9. What is your cancellation and refund policy?

Understand what happens if:

• You need to cancel
• The carrier cancels
• A dog is rejected at pickup due to health concerns
• The route is delayed due to weather

Get the policy in writing before you pay a deposit.

10. Will I receive updates during transport?

At minimum, you should expect:

• Confirmation of pickup
• At least one update mid-route
• Confirmation of arrival

Many professional carriers now offer GPS tracking or regular photo/text updates. Ask what their communication standard is — and whether it costs extra.

11. Who, specifically, will be driving/caring for my dog?

Some operations use independent contractors or relay drivers — meaning the person who picks up your dog is not the person who delivers them. Others are owner-operated solo transports. Neither is inherently better, but you deserve to know the answer. Ask whether subcontracting is used and whether the contracted drivers are background-checked.

12. What do you require from me at pickup?

A professional carrier will ask for:

• Current health certificate from a licensed vet (required for interstate transport)
• Proof of vaccination (especially rabies, and often DA2PP and Bordetella)
• Any medications the dog needs during transport
• Emergency contact information
• Feeding instructions

If a carrier doesn’t ask for a health certificate, that’s a red flag — not a convenience.

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The Bottom Line

Asking these questions won’t guarantee a perfect transport — but it separates carriers who have thought seriously about the job from those who haven’t. A carrier who bristles at thorough questions is telling you something important.

If you’d like help evaluating a specific carrier, comparing quotes, or building a vetting checklist tailored to your dog’s breed and route, a Trotway consultation starts at $149 and includes a written carrier recommendation.