Airline Shipping Your Puppy

Meeting You

If time allows we can meet you at one of the following locations for $49. All are within South Carolina.

These locations are at least an hour from my home so would cut minimally 2 hours off your drive time.

I-26 and Exit 145 - Orangeburg, SC at KFC

I-77 and Exit 34 - Toward Charlotte, NC at Waffle House

I-26 and Exit 52 - Toward Greenville & Spartanburg, SC At McDonalds

I-20 and Exit 22 Toward Atlanta in Aiken at McDonalds

Airline Shipping

Acura Kennels ships puppies within the United States and Canada at the buyer's expense. Shipping fees along with the balance of owed on the puppy must be paid 10 days prior before shipping.

Many people ask me if shipping is safe and humane. I believe it is, or I would not do it! There have been very few cases of tragedy concerning this means of transport, but those few stories are told again and again, and are greatly exaggerated, not to mention they occurred long ago. The area in which the puppies are shipped on the airplane is air quality, and temperature controlled, and monitored. If any thing is found to be not in working order, the puppy is denied the flight and we reschedule the flight for later that day or the next day.

The Safe Air Travel for Animals act was passed by congress in 2000 which dictates safety standards for making it safe for animals to travel by air. It also requires statistics to be published. Last year in about a 6 month time frame a quarter of a million pets traveled by air. There were 14 reported deaths. These statistics, by the way, include exotic birds, rodents, chickens, cats, reptiles etc. There were also 4 injuries and 6 escapes. When you compare these numbers to the approx. 250,000 pets that traveled safely and with no incident you can see that it is relatively safe for pets to fly. Most of the deaths or injuries were because an animal had been sedated which is not allowed on most airlines. We never sedate our puppies when they are shipped.

We charge you $85 for the FDA health certificate, airline approved carrier w/goodies to make the flight easier for the puppy and our time/gas/parking at the airport. Your puppy is sent to you COD so you pay exactly what the airfare is if shipping on Delta Airlines. With gas prices, we have found this to be the best way. That way you are not paying us more than necessary.

We are able to ship your puppy to you Monday through Saturday from Columbia, South Carolina. We do not ship on Sunday. Saturdays are only available if we are not busy with puppy pick ups at our home. We look for the flight with the least time in layovers and of course, temperatures are a factor. As well, we generally ship early in the morning to avoid lay overs and missed connections.

An envelope will be attached to the crate that includes the health record, a copy of the fully executed Acura Kennels Sales contract. Also attached to the crate will be a small bag of food that the puppy is used to eating (Purina Puppy Chow).

When picking your puppy up from the airport please be sure to have water on hand and clean bedding for the crate. Also remember to have your Confirmation number and Drivers license. DO NOT let your puppy run around anywhere at the airport or cargo area. Hundreds of puppies are shipped on a regular basis and it is a very high risk area to catch infectious diseases. We are not responsible for viruses or parasites the puppy can contract during the shipping process.

We request that you send us an e-mail or phone us as soon as you return home so we know the puppy has arrived safe & sound.

Airport Delivery

If you would prefer, you may fly into Columbia,, South Carolina meet us at the airport, take possession of your puppy & return home with the pup in the cabin with you. The airlines generally charge an additional $85 - 100 for the return flight w/ the puppy. For this type of delivery, you will need a softsided carrier (sherpa bag) & the USDA veterinary certificate. Our fee for meeting you at the airport, parking fees, providing the airline approved carrier w/toys, collar & leash and other essentials & the FDA health certificate is $125.