shipping information

AIRLINE SHIPPING

Air transport is, by far, the most popular choice because it is quick, inexpensive and convenient compared with some of the other options. We have never had a problem with our puppies in air transport because we make sure they are ready to fly before we put them on the plane. However, some people still prefer to use other options, so I describe them below. Please note that not all options are available for all puppies, and some may not be available at certain times.
With very few exceptions, during fall, winter and spring we transport our puppies from Fort Smith, Arkansas with American or Delta Airlines. Under extreme weather conditions (summer heat or extreme cold during the winter), we will go to Fayetteville or Tulsa to use United Airlines. Occasionally, we will go to Fayetteville to get a better flight schedule, but only if we cannot get a safe flight from Fort Smith. Your puppy's well-being is our primary concern, so every flight booked will be well within safe flying conditions for a puppy, regardless of where we must go to send him or her.
Our rate for flying a puppy home is usually $270 ($325 for United effective 7/1/2019) but may vary depending on which airline we must use and what type of arrangements we must make. We only charge for shipping what it costs us to do it. Rates cover the flight, crate and bedding, health certificate, and everything needed for transport home to you except any kenneling fees that may be required. We almost never put a puppy on a flight that is long enough to require kenneling, but it does sometimes come up due to a missed connection or something similar. Normally, the airlines do not charge for those kenneling situations, but you should be aware that, while rare, it is a possibility.
Below are rates and specifics about using the different airlines to which we have access:
Delta Airlines - we don't use Delta as much from Fort Smith, but may go to Fayetteville to get a direct flight to some locations. The rate for Delta's AVI service from Fort Smith or Fayetteville is $270. Delta no longer accepts puppies for its DASH service. All of Delta's flights from Fort Smith connect in Atlanta, and Delta does have temperature restrictions. The temperatures must be between 10 and 80 degrees at every stop while the puppy is supposed to be there or we cannot send the puppy with Delta. Therefore, most of our summer transport will be via United Airlines from Fayetteville.
American Airlines - this is the airline we use most often from Fort Smith, and we have access to from Fort Smith, Fayetteville and Tulsa, though again, we rarely use Fayetteville or Tulsa. Rates for American Airlines from Fort Smith are $270. American Airlines does have temperature restrictions. The temperatures must be between 20 and 85 degrees at every stop when the puppy is supposed to be there or we are not able to send the pup.

United Airlines - we only have access to United Airlines from Tulsa or Fayetteville. As a result, we don't use them unless some circumstance requires it. The most common circumstance is summer temperatures. United does not have temperature restrictions because all of their holding facilities are climate controlled. Keep in mind that if using United is required, you may be required to go to a more distant airport than planned because we are at the mercy of United's flight schedule during the summer. However, now that United and Continental have merged, there are many more destination options. EFFECTIVE ON JULY 1, 2019, THE RATE FOR UNITED INCREASES TO $325. United keeps raising their rates!

We will work with you to figure the best way to get your puppy to you, however, we do reserve the right to have the final say on the matter for the well-being of the puppies. In addition, we will make every effort to accurately predict your shipping costs at the time of deposit, however, the airlines change flight schedules and have black out days that we are not always aware of at the time, so the final shipping price may change, through means that are out of our control. In such an event, you will be responsible for all shipping charges, which must be paid before we can send your puppy home.

We will always provide you with all the information you will need about your puppy's arrival, including flight times, numbers, and where you will pick up for flights. We can book flights with Delta up to 14 days in advance. With United, we can book up to 30 days in advance. With American, we can book up to 7 days in advance. So, with United and Delta, you will definitely have your puppy's flight information before final payment is due 10 days prior to the shipping date. With American, we might get the flight confirmations back on the day that final payment is due, but usually it is a day or two later. Regardless, final payment for all flights is due on or before 10 days prior to your puppy's planned shipping date, whether or not we have received the flight confirmation.

We require a minimum of 48 hours to arrange flights and we prefer a full week. With United, we are required to book at least 5 days in advance. This means that, in most cases, you cannot select a puppy that is ready for his new home on one day and have him happily licking your face the next day. It simply takes more time than that. During times of extreme weather conditions, we are often at the mercy of the flight schedules, bookings, and the weather. If a flight is full, we cannot insist that they book another puppy on it, so we have to check for the next available flight that isn't full. Please be patient and flexible and we will get your puppy home to you as soon as we possibly can.

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The Fly-in Option

People often ask about flying here to pick your puppy up, and we think it is a great idea. We welcome the chance to meet you, and for tiny puppies that cannot fly on their own, this is a wonderful option. Our local airport is FSM (Fort Smith, Arkansas), but we can also go to XNA (Fayetteville/Bentonville, Arkansas) if necesary. We can meet you at the airport, so that most people fly in, meet us in the airport arrivals terminal and then turn right back around and fly home.

Flying into Fort Smith: Fort Smith is our closest airport, about 30 minutes from our home. American and Delta have terminals in Fort Smith, and the airport is small, so meeting there is easy. Our recommendation is to use American Airlines into Fort Smith because Delta now only has two daily flights coming in however, the timing of those flights is such that you could easily fly in on the first one and out on the second one, but expect a wait. Still, with American, you will have more options for flying back home. We prefer that those who wish to fly in use the Fort Smith airport, because we do offer this service for free on our end, but we realize that it may not be possible from every location, so the Fayetteville airport is an option in that case.

Flying into Fayetteville, Bentonville: Fayetteville is about an hour and a half from our home but is serviced by more airlines. American, Delta, United, and Allegiant airlines have terminals in Fayetteville. The Fayetteville airport is also small and easy to meet, so this is a viable option for those who wish to fly in but cannot get a flight from your location into Fort Smith.

Prices for Fly-In depend on the price of the airline ticket. You are responsible for securing your tickets and paying the airline's charges for carrying pets on board (listed below). Unless we have something unusual going on, we are available to meet you most any day. Please confirm your flight date with us before booking, just to ensure that we are definitely available that day.

Pet In-Cabin Carry-On Rates (note these rates are one-way, as you will only carry your puppy on the plane once):
American : $125
Delta: $125
United: $125
Allegiant: $100

You must have a soft-sided travel carrier that fits under the seat in the plane. For Delta, puppies must be 10 weeks old to fly.
NOTE: Allegiant requires puppies to be 12 weeks of age to travel in-cabin. This means that they will require a rabies shot before they can fly. So, when using Allegiant, we will add $15 to your balance on your puppy to cover the rabies vaccine.

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The Puppy Nanny Option

For tiny puppies, we do offer a puppy nanny option. These puppies cannot fly or travel by ground by themselves, because they are too small. Previously, that meant that they had to be picked up, even if you are out of state, or they had to go to homes only within driving distance. Now, we have the option to bring them to you.
Right now, this option is limited to puppies that are very tiny or that cannot get to you any other way for whatever reason. We have to limit the service in that way at least until we can find a third party to be our nanny because I cannot be away delivering puppies too often. The puppy nanny option is just the fly-in option in reverse. I fly into your nearest airport, you meet me at the arrivals terminal to receive your puppy and then I turn around and fly back home.
Rates for the nanny service are set on a case by case basis, and are dependent upon the cost of the ticket. If a third party nanny service is employed, the service will set those rates.

I generally will not do overnight stays except in some very rare cases. If an overnight stay is required for the trip, that will be included in the final rate. Third party nannies will not do overnight stays.

Unless we agree to use a third party nanny service, all costs of the puppy nanny service are paid to me in advance and I book my own flights. I make every effort to book the most economical flights, but it does depend a great deal on the destination.

Total costs will also include the in-cabin carry-on pet fee.
Pet In-Cabin Carry-On Rates (note these rates are one-way, as I will only carry your puppy on the plane once):
American : $125
Delta: $125
United: $125
Allegiant: $100
Soft-sided pet carrier NOT included in these rates. Carriers are not left with the receivers unless specifically requested and paid for in advance.

For Delta, puppies must be 10 weeks old to fly.

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The Ground Transport Option

At this time, ground transport is limited to only those puppies for which there is no other choice, or for groups for which it is the best choice. We cannot commit to road trips for individual puppies at this time. There simply are not enough of us to be on the road too much! If things ever return to normal after Covid, this may change.
If things ever return to normal, the following is our ground transport option.

Ground transport depends on where you live. Please note that we no longer offer third-party ground transport options. Rates vary and not all puppies are eligible for ground delivery options, especially long distance ones.

Personal Delivery
We do offer the option of delivery or to meet you half way for places within a reasonable driving distance. Generally, we will not drive more than three hours in any direction, and our rate is $1 per mile (one way).
NOTE: This option is limited as we cannot be on the road all the time, so we reserve this option for tiny puppies or people who live close enough that other transport options are not available, but far enough that making the trip themselves in one day is not feasible. We also reserve the right to refuse this option based on our availability, and to choose the destination for meeting.

Dates for personal delivery are subject to our availability, and may not be available at all during certain times of the year.

Please note, we will NOT make plans to meet you for a puppy that has not been reserved with a deposit.