We have kittens as far as both coasts within the lower 48 and in Alaska. While we always prefer to meet people personally either by them driving or flying in on the airlines,  we understand that it is not always possible for new kitten parents to come personally to pick their kitten up. Arranging a transport is sometimes a necessary option to getting a kitten to its forever family. Any and all costs and risks associated with transport are the responsibility of the new kitten parent. There are a couple options we utilize listed below besides. 

 

 

#1 New Kitten Parent Flying in via Airlines/Driving;

*This is my favorite option if it is possible with new kitten parents and recently, it is probably the cheapest option. Montana has lots of touristy activities so new parents may make a vacation trip out of it and visit some of the neat things Montana has to offer while also picking their kitten up! Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Fairmont Hot Springs, and Gem Mountain in Philipsburg are just a couple fun things to visit/do while here. Missoula Montana Airport is our closest airport (1hr away from our place) and while most flights require a connecting flight, there are some direct flights and/or most of the time there is the option to fly in early in the am and fly back out in the pm to make it just a day trip. I do offer to meet people at the airport if they want with their kitten. Kittens will be able to ride up top the airplane under the seat as a carry on with you. Cost of this will be cost of your ticket plus fee for pet. 

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#2 Flight Nanny; 

*Lately this has been my second preferred option. This option is where a hired flight nanny would fly in to me, I meet them at the Missoula Airport to hand off your kitten, and then they bring your kitten back to you as carry on under their seat. They would have you meet them at your nearest airport for you to pick up. Majority of the time the kitten arrives to you within the same day in just a few hours. If you are further on the east coast or there are any travel delays due to weather or airplane mechanical issues, etc. then there is the potential for the nanny to have to overnight with your kitten. This is pretty rare but it is a potential I like to make people aware of. The cost of flight nanny is very dependent on timing for flight costs and distance. Typically this costs between $600-$1200+ and that includes flight, nanny fee, etc. 

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#3 Ground Transport; 

*In this option the kitten rides in a carrier within a vehicle with a hired driver to its intended destination. This option often times requires a lot more flexibility on timing as most ground transporters timing can change along the route as they add and drop off other pets along the way. There is also more potential for timing changes due to traffic and construction delays, weather delays, cancellations from other clients which may cause drop off to be earlier than anticipated, etc. This cost depends on distance and the specific driver that we use but can range anywhere from $250-$800 give or take. 

 

#4 Flight Cargo; 

This option is where your kitten would ride as cargo under the plane in a temperature and air controlled area. Your kitten would be dropped off at Missoula Montana Airport early in the am with food and water in a crate and be to to you that afternoon-evening. This is a better option for kittens going to the western side of the states (closer/direct flights) and AK. Kittens on the eastern side of the states often have to hire a boarding facility to come pick up the kitten and give them a place to get out of their carrier during layovers. These boarding facilities will then drop them back off at the airport for their next flight. There are temperature and time restrictions that you will have to look into for specific airlines. I prefer option #1 and #2 over this option if at all possible. This cost is typically $400 give or take plus $40 health certificate.  

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Often times people are concerned about kittens traveling, however I assure you that our kittens are very well socialized and handle changes extremely well. Typically they spend majority of a car or airline ride napping and they are ready to bounce around and play once they get to their final destination. I have utilized all of the options above myself both to get a kitten to me as well as sending kittens to their new homes and never once have I had a kitten have any sort of negative issues due to transport. ​

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OPTION FOR FINDING A TRANSPORTER;

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CITIZENSHIPPER

Citizenshipper is a large platform created to match those offering transport with those needing transport for anything you can think of; vehicles, furniture, pets, etc.. This platform allows you to create a shipment and get an estimate of cost and/or get bids to book a transporter. We have personally used this platform many times and believe it is a great resource to help guide you in finding a transporter for your pet. You can see transporter's reviews, if they have had a background check or not, their cancellation rate, how many shipments they have done, etc. to help guide you through choosing the best transporter for the job! Click the link below to be taken to the Citizenshipper website and get started on finding a transporter. 

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