Shipping Process
AIRPORT PICK UP AND NANNY SHIPPING (DOORSTEP DELIVERY)
Having a Maine Coon shipped by airlines is a common concern for many clients. As a breeder who has been shipping Maine Coons across the USA and Canada for over 10 years, I no longer have these concerns, but I do understand them. I’d like to take a few minutes to explain the procedure and hopefully put these concerns to rest.
Airline Requirements for Shipping your maine coon
In order to ship a Maine Coon to other states or out of the country, the airlines require a health certificate issued by a verified vet within 10 days of travel. This certificate confirms that the Maine Coon is healthy. Some airlines may also require an acclimation statement from the vet, stating that the Maine Coon can be exposed to temperatures within a certain range for short periods of time. The airlines also require that the animal NOT be sedated, as sedation can alter their balance and equilibrium, which can be dangerous during transport. There is also concern that the increased altitude pressure can cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems in sedated animals. Depending on the airline and airport, Maine Coons are either checked in and picked up from either the nanny or baggage claim office in the passenger terminal. Maine Coons are typically checked in about two hours before the flight and are generally available for pickup 30-45 minutes after arrival, or can be delivered to the receiver’s doorstep (if requested or paid for doorstep delivery).
The Flight
After being checked in, Maine Coons are kept in the passenger cabin beside the nanny who is flying with them. They are placed in areas that are temperature-controlled until it’s time for them to be loaded onto the plane. Many airlines transport pets to and from the plane in heated/air-conditioned vans. Airlines that do not have this option will not ship pets if the temperature is below 25 degrees or above 85 degrees. Once on the plane, pets travel in the passenger cabin, which is also pressurized and temperature-controlled.
Some people worry that shipping is too traumatic for the Maine Coons. At Katrina Brown Western Maine Coon Cattery, we do everything we can to make this transition as low-stress as possible. Carriers are lined with a thick layer of absorbent bedding for comfort, as well as to absorb any accidents that may occur while in the carrier. It is very rare for a Maine Coon to relieve itself in the carrier, but it can happen occasionally. We also crumple up a mass of paper towels and put a thick layer in the carrier. This gives the Maine Coons the ability to burrow into them for extra warmth and provides them with a ‘hiding place’ to feel more safe and secluded during their journey.
After Your Maine Coon Arrives The Closest Airport In Your Location,
Upon arrival, most Maine Coons seem relieved to see people—something familiar. It’s a good idea to take some baby wet wipes and a towel with you to pick up your new Maine Coon (if you ordered or paid for airport pickup), especially if you have a long ride home. If your Maine Coon is one of the few that relieved themselves in the carrier, you and your new kitten will appreciate a quick wet wipe bath and having a towel to switch out for the soiled bedding in the carrier. If it’s a quick trip home, I would suggest leaving the Maine Coon in its carrier until you get home. If it’s a longer drive, you may want to let the Maine Coon out in the car before getting on the road to stretch its legs. Play it by ear though. Some kittens may be a bit shaken by all the changes and may be more comfortable left in the carrier.
Once you get home with your Maine Coon, we recommend starting in a very small room. The master bathroom is ideal because there usually isn’t much for them to hide behind or under. This will force them to come out of their shell and explore quicker than they would if they were in an area where they could hide under a bed or behind a dresser. We send a teaser toy, two cans of wet food, and a small bag of dry food attached to the carrier. Locate the toy and coax your kitten out of the carrier with it. Playtime is the fastest way to quell your kitten’s fears of a new environment and win their heart. Starting them in a small area will make them feel safer and more at ease. A too-large area may cause sensory overload and make the acclimation process take longer.
Nanny Shipping;
If you ordered or paid for your Maine Coon to be delivered directly to your home, you can simply sit back, relax, and make all the necessary arrangements to welcome your new family member. All the procedures that I explained above will be handled by the nanny provided by the pet couriers I use to ship the kittens. They will go through all the steps to ensure that upon arrival at your doorstep, the Maine Coon will be ready to jump out of the crate and start exploring the house immediately.