FAQ
The Answers You Need
HOW TO ENSURE YOUR TRANSPORTER IS REGISTERED WITH THE USDA?
Follow this link: https://aphis-efile.force.com/PublicSearchTool/s/
Then locate the list of persons licensed or registered under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA)
You will download an Excel sheet and search for the carrier's name.
WHAT IS THE USDA APHIS BLUE BOOK?
The USDA APHIS Blue Book is a publication that provides guidelines and regulations for the transportation of animals, including pet animals, by commercial carriers within the United States. APHIS stands for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) responsible for safeguarding the health and welfare of animals and plants.
The Blue Book, officially titled "Animal Welfare Enforcement, Investigation, and Analysis (Blue Book)," is a resource that outlines the federal regulations and standards governing the transportation of animals. It covers various aspects, such as the handling, care, and transportation conditions for animals to ensure their well-being and safety during transit. The Blue Book serves as a reference for carriers, breeders, exhibitors, and research facilities to understand and comply with the Animal Welfare Act and its regulations, particularly in the context of transporting animals.
In the context of the Blue Book, a "carrier" typically refers to the entity or company responsible for the transportation of animals. This can include commercial pet transport companies, airlines, trucking companies, or any organization that transports animals for various purposes, such as relocation, adoption, sale, or research. Carriers play a crucial role in ensuring that animals are transported in a safe, humane, and compliant manner, as outlined by the regulations provided in the Blue Book and other relevant laws.
If you would like to look at the blue book which is provided to each carrier you may find it here
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY PET NEEDS A HEALTH CERTIFICATE?
Pets must have a health certificate or health records, USDA APHIS (§ 2.151 Certifications) depending on the state your pet is being transported to. Please note that some states like NY, ND, NC, and VA do not require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) for ground transportation. However, to ensure the safety of all our pets, we require proof of a Health Certificate or health records, which must be submitted 24 hours before pickup.
You can follow this link, which will take you to the USDA APHIS website. There, you can find information to help clarify whether your pet needs a health certificate or health records.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY PET GETS SICK JUST BEFORE PICKUP?
Transporting Sick or Injured Animals:
If a dog or cat is visibly ill, injured, or in physical distress, it must not be transported for commercial purposes unless the purpose of transportation is to receive veterinary care for the specific condition.
In other words, animals in distress should only be transported for the purpose of seeking medical attention.
WHAT IS YOUR PAYMENT OPTIONS?
We exclusively use Honeybook for managing our payments to ensure a streamlined and hassle-free experience for our clients. Through Honeybook, we provide invoices, collect essential information, facilitate the signing of agreements, and set up convenient automatic payments.
While we understand that various payment methods can be utilized, we've found that sticking with Honeybook simplifies the process and offers a consistent and secure way to handle payments. This approach helps us maintain efficiency and ensures a smoother transaction process for all our clients.
DO YOU DO ACCEPT C.O.D. CASH ON DELIVERY?
We appreciate your inquiry about our payment options. At Fern Transport LLC, we adhere to specific payment policies to ensure a secure and efficient process for our clients and to comply with USDA APHIS regulations (§ 2.79 - C.O.D. shipments).
These regulations outline the risks associated with cash-on-delivery (C.O.D.) transactions, especially in shared ride situations, where payment delays can affect the timely transportation of pets.
For these reasons, our company mandates full payment before pickup. This approach ensures compliance with USDA APHIS regulations and guarantees the seamless operation of our services.
By requiring full payment in advance, we eliminate any potential payment-related delays that could impact your pet's journey and the journeys of other pets we transport.
WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?
We offer a range of pet-related services, including:
Pet Transportation: Safe and reliable ground transportation.
Flight Nanny Services: Accompanied air travel for your pets.
Pet Sitting: In-home pet care for your furry companions.
Pet Photography: Professional photos capturing memorable moments with your pets.
ARE YOUR SERVICES OFFERED NATION WIDE?
Yes, our services are available across the United States. We provide both ground and air transportation options to accommodate your specific needs.
HOW DO I SECURE A SERVICE DATE WITH FERN TRANSPORT LLC, AND IS THE DEPOSIT REFUNDABLE IF I NEED TO CANCEL MY BOOKING?
To secure your desired service date, a non-refundable deposit is required. This deposit guarantees your booking and helps us allocate the necessary resources for your service.
It's important to note that the deposit is non-refundable, as it is designed to secure your service date and cover costs associated with booking and preparing for your service.
Therefore, please ensure your commitment to the service before making a deposit. Your understanding of this policy is greatly appreciated.
ARE THE QUOTES FOR GROUND TRANSPORT AND FLIGHT SERVICES TIME-SENSITIVE?
Yes, the quotes we provide are indeed time-sensitive.
A quote for your requested ground transport service date is valid for one week. For the price quoted, we guarantee its validity for 30 days.
When it comes to flight services, quotes are valid for 48 hours if the flight is at least one month out and 24 hours if the flight is scheduled for less than one month.
It's essential to confirm your booking within the specified timeframe to secure the quoted rate. This policy helps us ensure fair pricing for all clients and accounts for the dynamic pricing of airlines, which can change rapidly.
WHY ARE THE DEPOSITS NON-REFUNDABLE, THAT DOESN'T SEEM FAIR?!
Our non-refundable deposit policy is a fundamental aspect of our commitment to providing reliable, efficient, and quality services.
It serves several essential purposes:
1. Booking Assurance: When you make a non-refundable deposit, you are not only securing your spot on our schedule but also ensuring that our resources, personnel, and transportation are ready to serve you. By committing to your reservation, you help us maintain organized and efficient service operations.
2. Commitment and Planning: As a pet transport and care service, our business revolves around precise scheduling and routes. Other clients may have been turned away to accommodate your service request. The non-refundable deposit is a demonstration of your commitment to your service, which helps us plan and allocate resources effectively.
3. Operational Costs: Before your service date, I incur various operational costs, such as reserving transportation and ensuring the necessary resources are in place. The non-refundable deposit contributes to covering these initial expenses, enabling me to offer competitive rates while maintaining high service quality.
4. Fairness and Affordability: Our pricing structure is designed with the non-refundable deposit in mind. Offering fully refundable deposits might necessitate adjustments to our overall pricing, which could impact costs for all clients. Our current approach aims to balance affordability with the quality of service.
We understand that circumstances can change, and sometimes adjustments to your booking may be necessary. We offer flexibility in rescheduling, modifying service details, and accommodating your needs to the best of our abilities within the framework of our schedules and routes.
By choosing Fern Transport LLC, you are not only securing your pet's safe and comfortable journey but also contributing to the smooth operation of our services, which rely on careful planning and commitment. We are committed to providing you with a reliable and high-quality pet transport experience.
WHAT DOES THE FLIGHT NANNY SERVICE INCLUDE?
Flight Nanny Service:
Designed for in-cabin-eligible or cargo-eligible pets.
Pets will need to fit airline documentation requirements. For example, additional information may be needed for health certificates, and a vet visit will be required.
Costs vary depending on airline policies. We do not cover carrier costs.
50% of the total service fee and the cost of the flight are due at the time of booking.
The remaining 50% is due 24 hours before pickup.
For this service, we ask that you arrange to have your pet delivered to the airport departure terminal, two hours prior to take off, and we'll meet you at the destination airport terminal, as well. While we would love to offer pickup and delivery to the airports, using rental cars can complicate the situation.
Round Trip Ticket Required. Unfortunately, there's no one-way ticket option available due to our scheduling constraints.
The service fee is $300, in addition to airline and pet fees.
An additional fee of $200 per 24-hour period applies for delays by the airline, delays in return flights, or layovers during flights.
WHAT IS THE FLIGHT NANNY ADDITIONAL FEE FOR, AND WHEN IS IT DUE?
Scenario 1:
Your pet's departing flight is scheduled for 6 a.m. on 10/21/23.
We'll pick up your pet at 4 a.m. at the departing airline terminal.
The flight is due to land at the arrival terminal at 12 p.m. on the same day, when you or the new owners are there to pick up your pet at the terminal.
The nanny's return flight leaves 12 p.m. on 10/22/23
In this scenario, a round trip ticket has been purchased, and by the time of the return flight at 12 pm on 10/22/23, your pet will be with the new owners. Despite your pet not being under our direct care during the return flight, we incur expenses to ensure that our Flight Nanny has accommodations while awaiting their return flight the following day.
In most cases, our nanny can depart and return within a 24-hour period. However, some airlines do not offer this option, and we have to cover the expense to ensure a smooth and timely return. This fee will be added to your bill when the agreement is signed.
Scenario 2:
Suppose your pet is booked for our Flight Nanny Service.
During the return journey, you encounter a situation where the airline experiences delays or the flight schedule includes an extended stay.
In this case, there will be an additional fee of $200 for each 24-hour period during which these delays or extended stays occur.
This fee is designed to account for any unforeseen circumstances or extended travel times to ensure your pet's comfort and well-being. Please note that payment for these additional fees will be processed separately after your deposit and remaining balance have been paid. This payment will be due before your pet is released.
WILL YOU PAY FOR MY PET AT THE TIME OF PICKUP?
We appreciate your trust in our services. However, we do not offer payment services at the time of pet pickup. If you're buying from unlicensed breeders or individuals who don't use bank accounts, we recommend the following options:
Local Assistance: Reach out to someone local to the area where you're purchasing your pet. Local contacts may be familiar with payment methods used by the seller and can provide assistance.
Seller's Suggestions: Ask the seller for alternative payment options. Some sellers have liaisons or established procedures for facilitating payments.
Please note that our primary role is to ensure the safe transport of your pet and handle all necessary paperwork. We do not participate in direct financial transactions with the seller. We believe this approach helps streamline the process and minimize potential complications and delays during the transport of your pet.
If you have any further questions or need additional guidance regarding your pet's purchase, feel free to reach out to us. We're here to assist you with the transport and paperwork aspects of your pet's journey.
I RECEIVED THE WRONG PET, AND IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE ONE ADVERTISED. WHAT CAN I DO?
We understand that discovering you've received the wrong pet can be a distressing experience. We're here to provide some guidance on how to handle this situation. It's essential to clarify our role in this scenario. Our primary responsibility is the safe transportation of your pet, and we rely on the accuracy of the information provided by you and the seller. We do not participate in verifying the identity of the pet.
Here are some key points to consider:
Verification: It's crucial that you ensure you are purchasing the correct pet from the seller. We strongly recommend thorough communication, including requesting videos and pictures of the pet you intend to purchase. If you suspect any issues with the pet's identity, it's best to address them before scheduling the pickup with us.
Refunds for Transport: We would like to clarify that we do not offer refunds for our transport services. Once the pet's transportation has commenced, and we have incurred expenses, we are unable to provide refunds.
Cancellation Before Pickup: If you discover a discrepancy in the pet's identity before the scheduled pickup, you have the option to cancel the transport service. In such cases, the remaining balance will be returned to you.
Delivery After Pickup: Once the pet has been picked up, we are not responsible for the accuracy of the pet's identity. If you receive a pet that does not match the description provided by the seller, we are not involved in the resolution process. The pet will be delivered to the destination as initially planned.
We encourage all our clients to ensure they have complete and accurate information about the pet they are purchasing before booking our transport services. Proper verification and communication with the seller can help prevent such situations and ensure a smooth transportation experience.
If you have any additional questions or concerns regarding your pet's transport, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to assist you with the transportation and paperwork aspects of your pet's journey.