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EXPERIENCE: IPATA members are recognized as professionals, providing quality services around the world. It is recognized that some members are new to the pet shipping industry while others have been transporting family pets for years. A mentoring program is available to assist all members. This program is especially valuable as a training tool for those that are new to pet shipping as they establish their own policies and procedures.
All applicants must have the following documents at the time they apply for membership and/or meet the following requirements:
LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:
- License requirements for countries around the world. (email additions or changes admin@ipata.org)
- BUSINESS LICENSE: Applicants must provide proof that they are legally registered or licensed to conduct business in their country and in their state province or city, if applicable. Prospective members will be required to provide the details on their type of company structure (corporation, sole proprietorship, partnership, etc.), the year the company was established and the principal owners of the company. Applicants will need to indicate whether they are a charitable/non-profit organization or a for-profit company.
- PET SHIPPING LICENCE: Applicants must provide proof that they are registered or licensed to perform pet transportation services to the general public and to serve as an intermediate handler receiving pets from their owners and delivering them to airlines or other transportation companies, if required by their country.
- For U.S. “Active” members, you must be registered with USDA as an Intermediate Handler, Class B Dealer or Transporter as required under the U.S.’s Animal Welfare Act. For a definition of which type of registration applies to you, go to USDA's Animal Care website at http://acissearch.aphis.usda.gov/LPASearch/faces/AC_Forms.jspx?r_type=1 and refer to "License and Registration Information" for definitions of animal transporters, intermediate handlers and Class B Dealers. To obtain the registration or licensing requirements, call the regional Animal Care Office that covers your state. The location and phone numbers are listed at the very bottom of USDA's Licensing/Registration page.
- For Non USA members, check the licensing requirements on the link above or contact your Ministry of Agriculture to see if your country requires a license for you to transport pets.
The prospective new member will be required to supply the license numbers, issuing authorities, expiration dates and a copy of the license.
INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS:
- AUTO INSURANCE: Applicants must have auto insurance (if required by their country) and provide a copy of the insurance policy or certificate showing the insurance carrier, name of the insured and expiration date.
- LIABILITY INSURANCE: Applicants must have business liability insurance (if required in their country) and provide a copy of the insurance policy or certificate showing the insurance carrier, name of the insured and expiration date.
Members are required to maintain licenses, permits and insurances current at all times and to provide updated information at anytime upon request.
COMPANY BACKGROUND INFORMATION: At time of application, the company will need to include a narrative background on their company and their mission statement. Websites may be in a language other than English but need to also include English text as English is the international language for business transactions.
LETTERS OF REFERENCE: An applicant must provide two letters of reference, including at least one letter of reference from an IPATA member with whom it has worked in the past. If an applicant has not worked with an IPATA member, the applicant should provide two letters of reference, a statement that they have not worked with any IPATA members, and a statement outlining what the applicant would contribute to IPATA as an active member of the organization and what the applicant expects from an IPATA membership that they do not have currently.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES: IPATA members provide services to each other which may involve extension of credit and payment after services are rendered. This is frequently based on trust and cooperation rather than on credit checks or payment terms required from the general public. Prospective members are expected to have sound accounting practices and a solid financial base which will allow them to meet their financial obligations in a timely manner.
Prospective members are required to agree to follow IPATA’s Membership Criteria, Code of Ethics and By-Laws at the time they join.
After your membership application is accepted . . .
- All new applicants join as provisional members for one year, regardless of experience.
- Provisional members have access to the MOS (Members Only Section) of the website which includes Country Profiles, reference materials and other valuable aids for pet shippers. They have free access to all on-line training modules, are listed in the internal membership directory (which includes members’ after hours contact details, cell phones, etc) and are members of the internal group email list for sharing of shipping information and asking questions. Provisional members have a list of mentors available for guidance and direction. Provisional members are not listed in the public domain part of the website until they are converted to Active membership at the end of their provisional year.
- Provisional members will be identified as such in the internal membership directory so that all current members are aware of the new members.
- During the first year, new applicants must complete the “Basics Pet Shipping 101” training modules (recorded webinars provided on-line in the Members Only Section at no charge). Each training module needs to be taken in order and the test for that module completed satisfactorily before moving on to the next module.
- If the training modules are not completed during the first year of membership, the provisional member may extend its provisional membership for a second year.
- If the training modules are not completed after two years, the provisional membership will be cancelled. However, the applicant may reapply for membership at a later date. At this time, the applicant will begin the process again as a new applicant, which will re-start the timetable. The applicant must pay all applicable fees.
- When a provisional member passes all modules, they will receive a training certificate with the person’s name and company name on it. Once a provisional member has received this training certificate and completed their provision year of membership, its membership will automatically convert to “Active” membership and the member company will be added to the list of professional pet shippers in the public domain part of the website.
At the time they joining, prospective members are required to agree to follow:
IPATA’s Membership Criteria Code of Ethics By-Laws
Click here to go to the Active Membership Application
Instructions: Download form & save to your computer. Gather all documents prior to emailing or faxing.
Email: bj@ipata.org or Fax: 1-903-769-2867
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