Active Members - Pet Shippers

IPATA is an international network of pet relocation specialists and their suppliers working together to provide professional pet transportation services worldwide. By being an Active Member your company shows to the public and other pet shipping experts that you are committed to the safe and humane transport of pets and other animals. Along with this recognition are the benefits of being part of an international network, having increased exposure, access to our Members Only Section, Group Email participation, and membership discounts (More Information).

Active Membership Requirements

Pet Shippers (both Active and Provisional members) work directly with the general public such as pet owners and other pet shippers to provide pet shipping services which should include such services as door-to-door services, import permits, crates, ground transport and/or booking flights with the airlines or through freight forwarders.

Businesses must have the independence to develop their own policies and procedures including control over their own training and operations for the pet shipping services they provide. (i.e., Businesses MUST not have a direct affiliation or contractual relationship with government entities or airlines that could dictate their own business policies, procedures, operations, and training related to pet handling and shipping.)

• Business must be legally registered or licensed to conduct business at the location where they are operating, meeting any country or local requirements for auto/liability insurance and transporting pets in commerce.
• Business must agree to provide pet shipping services to the general public.
• If you provide a website, it must be in English (or includes an on-line translation option).
• Must be able to comply with all terms in the Code of Ethics.
• Application must include copies of all licenses/registrations listed on the application and must provide two letters of reference from IPATA members with whom they have worked since the company was established (one must be from an IPATA pet shipping member; the other may be from an IPATA member airline).
• All pet shipping members MUST agree to follow IPATA’s Code of Ethics and By-Laws at the time they join IPATA. Please open and read these documents. If you cannot agree with these provisions at this time, you may apply at a later time.

• 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 who are new to pet shipping as they establish their own policies and procedures.

• LICENSING REQUIREMENTS: Members are required to maintain licenses, permits and insurances, current at all times and to provide updated information at any time upon request. License requirements for countries around the world, (email additions or changes to >

• BUSINESS LICENSE: Applicants must provide proof that they are registered or licensed to do business in the state/province or country where they provide services (if required).

  PET SHIPPING LICENSE: 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 in the state/province or country where they provide services.

  • For U.S. "Active" members, you must be registered with the USDA as an Intermediate Handler, Class B Dealer, or Transporter as required under the U.S. Animal Welfare Act.

  For information on the various licenses/registrations available, download the Animal Care Policy Manual. It also contains contact details for the USDA/Animal Care (AC) offices you can contact. You can also go to the Registration Assistant found on USDA’s website, answer a few questions and it will tell you what kind of license or registration you need. Once you know what type of license/registration is required, go to USDA's website and click on Request a Licensing and Registration Application Kit. However, please be aware that all USA members MUST have a USDA license to be an IPATA member.

  For a definition of which type of registration applies to you, go to the USDA's website and click on Request a Licensing and Registration Application Kit (All Animal Care Forms).

  • For Non USA members, check the licensing requirements on the link below above or contact your Ministry of
  Agriculture to see if your country requires a license for you to transport pets. License requirements for countries
  around the world. (email additions or changes to )

  LAR CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION. Acceptable LAR Training Certificates: To meet IPATA’s requirement, LAR training certificates must have the IATA logo at the top or must be issued by an IATA Authorized Training Center. Valid IATA Authorized Training Centers may be found on IATA’s website: According to IATA, the IATA LAR Training Course Certificate is valid for 36 months (3 years) from the date of issue. Future certificates issued by IATA will note the 36 month validity period. At least one staff member of the applicant company must have the LAR Certificate of Completion. If no company contact person has that certificate, the applicant must purchase the LAR training materials needed during the application process. (See the application form for complete details)

• 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, coverage amounts, 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, coverage amounts, and expiration date.

• COMPANY BACKGROUND INFORMATION >

• Applicants may be asked for additional information or documentation during the application process.

• COMPANY WEBSITE >

• Applicant website may be in a language other than English, but must be available or translatable into English. English is the international language for business transactions.

• LETTERS OF REFERENCE >

• Effective June 1, 2019, all new membership applications MUST submit references from at least 2 pet shipping IPATA members (one of which MUST be a pet shipper and another who may be an IPATA member airline.

  We as IPATA understand that all member companies make their own decisions on the level of services they provide, and some may not provide all levels of services on all shipments. Some shipments may only require local pickup and delivery; some may only require ensuring that the pet meets all requirements while using another company to make the airline booking, etc. But regardless of who does what in a shipment, when we ask each member to provide a letter of reference from an IPATA member with whom they have worked in some way, it has nothing to do with who was hired by the pet owner or who was paid but focuses on the experience in working with the actual member; such things as:

  Did they follow through with what they said they would do?

  Did they follow instructions well or give clear instructions?

  Did they keep the welfare of the pet as a top priority?

  Would you be willing to work with them again if the situation arose?

  If a payment was required, was it paid accordingly to agreed terms?

Agreements

• Code of Ethics
• By-Laws

During the First Year of Membership

According to IATA, the IATA LAR Training Course Certificate is valid for 36 months (3 years) from the date of issue. Future certificates issued by IATA will note the 36 month validity period.

• PROVISIONAL MEMBERSHIP >

• All new applicants join as provisional members for one year, regardless of experience.

  Effective June 1, 2019, all provisional members MUST submit letters of reference from 2 pet shipping IPATA members they have worked with during their provisional year. These references cannot be from an airline

  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 subscribed to the IPATA international and regional email lists for sharing shipping information and asking questions. Provisional members have a list of mentors available for guidance and direction. Provisional members will be listed on the public "Find a Pet Shipper" page of the IPATA website when they successfully complete the 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.

  We as IPATA understand that all member companies make their own decisions on the level of services they provide, and some may not provide all levels of services on all shipments. Some shipments may only require local pickup and delivery; some may only require ensuring that the pet meets all requirements while using another company to make the airline booking, etc. But regardless of who does what in a shipment, when we ask each member to provide a letter of reference from a pet shipping IPATA member with whom they have worked in some way, it has nothing to do with who was hired by the pet owner or who was paid but focuses on the experience in working with the actual member; such things as:

  Did they follow through with what they said they would do?

  Did they follow instructions well or give clear instructions?

  Did they keep the welfare of the pet as a top priority?

  Would you be willing to work with them again if the situation arose?

  If a payment was required, was it paid accordingly to agreed terms?

• PET SHIPPING PROFICIENCY EXAM >

• At least one staff member of the company must complete the Pet Shipping Proficiency Exam with at least 80% accuracy. Training modules are available in the Members Only Section of the IPATA website.

• LAR TRAINING >

• At least one staff member must complete the IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) training course unless it has been completed previously and a copy of the Certificate of Completion is provided with your membership application. This is a Distance Learning (DL) course with a training workbook to study in advance, and an on-line exam that can be taken at your leisure. The cost for the workbook and a current LAR Manuel (which contains all of the regulations for shipping all types of animals by air) is included on the application form, and payment will be processed after the application is approved. Upon completion, IATA will issue a LAR Certificate of Completion, and a copy of that certificate must be sent to IPATA to confirm completion of the training.

  Acceptable LAR Training Certificates: To meet IPATA’s requirement, LAR training certificates must have the IATA logo at the top or must be issued by an IATA Authorized Training Center. Valid IATA Authorized Training Centers may be found on IATA’s website: IATA TRAINING CENTERS

  According to IATA, the IATA LAR Training Course Certificate is valid for 36 months (3 years) from the date of issue. Future certificates issued by IATA will note the 36 month validity period.

Fees

• APPLICATION FEE >

• The IPATA Application Fee is $1000 and is non-refundable.

• ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE >

• Annual dues for an Active Membership $1,240. Effective 2025

Active Membership Application

If your business is actively involved in shipping pets then an IPATA Active Membership is right for you. Please download the application below. If you are a supplier of goods or services for pet shipping companies then please apply see our Associate Membership details.

Last Updated 4-2025

Instructions: Download form & save to your computer. Gather all documents prior to emailing or faxing. Email the or Fax: 1-903-705-6922