Pet Shipping Agreement

1. Overview

The Royal Pets offers professional pet and livestock transfer services across Kenya and internationally. Our team coordinates every aspect of the journey — from veterinary documentation and carrier-compliant housing to customs clearance and door-to-door delivery — so that your animals travel safely, legally, and with minimal stress.

This document sets out the terms and conditions that govern all pet shipping arrangements made through The Royal Pets. By submitting a shipping enquiry and ticking the agreement checkbox on the form below, you accept these terms in full.

2. Covered Species

We handle transfers for all of the following animal categories:

3. Domestic Transfers (Within Kenya)

We transport pets and livestock between all major towns and counties in Kenya, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyeri, Meru, Thika, and beyond. Transfers are conducted by road (our dedicated vehicles) or air cargo (Kenya Airways or scheduled carriers) depending on distance, species, and urgency.

Documentation Required

• Valid rabies vaccination certificate (dogs and cats) — vaccination must be current and not administered within 30 days of travel
• Comprehensive health certificate issued by a registered Kenyan veterinarian within 10 days of travel
• County movement permit for livestock (obtained from the County Veterinary Office at origin)
• Microchip or tattooed identification where applicable

Timelines

• Nairobi to Mombasa / major towns: 1 – 2 days (road) or same-day (air cargo)
• Upcountry and remote counties: 2 – 4 days depending on road access
• Livestock convoys: quoted individually based on herd size and distance

4. International Transfers

We coordinate international pet relocation to and from Kenya in partnership with accredited IATA Live Animal Regulation (LAR) certified freight forwarders and airlines. Destinations include East Africa, Europe, North America, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia, subject to the import regulations of the destination country.

Standard Documentation

• ISO-standard microchip implanted at least 21 days before travel (15-digit, ISO 11784/11785)
• Current rabies vaccination — requirements vary by destination (some countries require a 21-day or 3-month wait after vaccination)
• Rabies titre antibody test results where required (EU, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan — minimum 30-day waiting period from blood draw)
• Official veterinary health certificate endorsed by the Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB) and counter-signed by KEPHIS where applicable
• Import permit from the destination country's animal health authority
• CITES permit for any species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
• Airline-approved travel crate (IATA container requirements 1, 10, or relevant category depending on species)
• Internal quarantine at destination if required (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, UK)

5. IATA Compliance & Carrier Requirements

All air shipments are handled in accordance with IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR), currently in force. The customer is responsible for providing (or purchasing through us) an IATA-compliant travel crate of the correct dimensions for the animal's size and species. The animal must be able to stand, turn, and lie down naturally inside the crate.

Brachycephalic (short-nosed) dog breeds — including Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Boxers, and similar breeds — are subject to airline-specific embargo periods and may be prohibited in cargo holds on certain carriers. We will advise on the most suitable routing for these breeds on a case-by-case basis.

6. Animal Welfare Standards

The welfare of your animal is our highest priority throughout the transfer process. We observe the following minimum standards for all shipments:

• Animals are not transported in temperatures below 10°C or above 29°C without temperature-controlled accommodation
• Fresh water is available for any journey exceeding 4 hours
• Animals are not sedated for air travel unless a licensed veterinarian certifies a medical necessity and the receiving airline confirms acceptance
• Live animals are never checked as standard luggage — only as manifested air cargo or accompanied excess baggage with airline approval
• Layovers exceeding 4 hours require animal rest facilities or temperature-controlled holding
• Livestock are accompanied by trained handlers on journeys exceeding 8 hours

7. Customer Obligations

By submitting a shipping enquiry and agreeing to these terms, you confirm that:

1. You are the legal owner of the animal(s) or have written authorisation from the owner to arrange this transfer.
2. All information provided on the enquiry form is accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge.
3. Your animal(s) are in good health and fit for travel as confirmed by a registered veterinarian.
4. You will provide all required veterinary documentation at least 72 hours before the scheduled departure.
5. You understand that failure to provide correct documentation may result in departure delays, quarantine at the destination, or refusal of entry — at the customer's cost.
6. You will notify The Royal Pets immediately if your animal's health changes between booking and travel.
7. For livestock, you have obtained all relevant county movement permits prior to handover.

8. Our Responsibilities & Limitations

The Royal Pets will:

• Provide clear guidance on documentation requirements for your specific animal, route, and destination
• Coordinate with veterinarians, airlines, freight forwarders, and customs authorities on your behalf
• Ensure animals are handled with care and in accordance with applicable welfare regulations
• Provide regular status updates from handover to delivery

Limitations of Liability

The Royal Pets is not liable for delays, quarantine costs, or refusal of entry caused by incomplete or incorrect documentation provided by the customer or issuing authorities. We are not liable for death or illness of an animal arising from pre-existing health conditions undisclosed at the time of booking, or from airline, customs, or government decisions outside our control. Our maximum liability for loss or damage is limited to the declared value of the animal at the time of booking, not to exceed KSh 100,000 unless additional insurance has been arranged and confirmed in writing.

9. Costs & Payment

All shipping costs are quoted individually based on species, number of animals, weight, origin, and destination. Quotes are valid for 14 days from issue. A non-refundable booking deposit of 50% is required to confirm the arrangement. The remaining balance is due 48 hours before the scheduled transfer date.

Costs may include: veterinary health certificate fees, IATA crate, airline cargo tariff, customs clearance, government permit fees, and our coordination fee. All costs will be itemised in your quote.

10. Cancellation & Refunds

• Cancellations made more than 7 days before the transfer date: full refund of the balance, booking deposit forfeited.
• Cancellations made 3 – 7 days before: 50% of total cost retained.
• Cancellations made within 48 hours: no refund. Airline and freight fees already committed are non-recoverable.
• Rescheduling requests made more than 5 days in advance will be accommodated at no extra charge, subject to availability.

11. Contact

For questions about pet shipping, call us on +254 110 064 555 or email [email protected]. Our pet shipping team is available Monday to Saturday, 8 am – 6 pm EAT.