Ship or Not to Ship? That is the question.

[HedgieRow]

What are your thoughts as to whether or not hedgies should be shipped to new homes?

[Qtplaying4keeps]

Hey Mel. :3

I know the topics kinda old, guys- and I'm a newb to all this stuff. xP lol.

But I was wondering about shipping myself, and about how to go about it. I was talking about it with dad, and he said something about putting them in tubes - like ferret tubes, etc., with places (rooms, the little area-things), so that the shipping and mailing employees wouldn't accidently put the cages upside or anything. But, I don't quite understand how they could be shipped like a jewlry box. It just doesn't make sense to me-

For one thing, the food, water, and shavings would go every which direction.
If they were in a 'box', like that, and then in their cage, instead of a normal pet carrier, wouldn't they try to hibernate? With possible temperature drops, lack of sunlight, etc.?

A person would almost have to look into a special pet-mailing system, wouldn't he/she? And pet carries? o.O Kinda confused on the whole shipping idea, albeit I've never been a fan, but I'd like to understand how it works. =3

[illinidairychic]

Hedgehogs have to be shipped on commercial airlines. They can not be shipped like reptiles through Fedex, UPS and things like that. The cost of shipping is $150.00+ extra on top of the price of the hedgehog.

I don't personally ship but there are a handful of breeders that do so with a lot of success.

[pricklesnquills]

I think shipping should be avoided at all costs....I personally don't ship because I believe it's too stressful on the hedgies and it's not worth all of the work when I have people willing to drive to me to pick their hedgehog up.

[oxchincerelyxo]

So I don't have hedgies but I agree that shipping any animal should be avoided. Even things like snakes etc. I think it just isn't right. If a person wants my baby so badly, they should come and get it themselves. These are living things, not pieces of mail.

I guess if a breeder takes great care and detail in shipping the animals it is okay-but I'm more talking about someone just shipping off their pet like nothing. I think it's wrong. I would also like to know what does into shipping animals...maybe I wouldn't be so against it if I knew more about it...


and just to clarify, I don't mean to offend anyone who does ship...

[aznmexaggie]

I've shipped in chinchillas without any problems. There was a lot of planning beforehand but if one takes the steps needed to ship, it should run smoothly and the animals will be fine.

As long as there is cooperation and preparation on both ends, the temperature is acceptable at both the departure and arrival locations, the environment they are in will be climate-controlled, and they are shipped legitimately, I don't see any problem with shipping any animal.

As for hedgies, the only issue I would see is ensuring they are kept warm enough to prevent hibernation.

[Midwest Exotics]

I really dont see the point in shipping. Although, many people have done it without problems & thats great. To each their own. I just dont see it being necessary to do because almost anywhere, if you wait, you will be able to find what you are looking for.(without stressing out an animal AND wasting a lot of unneeded money.) I dont ship nor receive shipped animals because i wouldnt think it would be a swell experience for them to go through just before heading to their new home. I simply done believe in it, but thats my personal opinion whether it be safe or not.

Again, its really up to the person shipping the animal & their beliefs, but im anti-shipping of animals.

[Nuts_n_Luvn_It]

I see nothing wrong with shipping if the animals best interest in taking into consideration. Such as the most direct flight, best airlines, limited lay overs, proper carrier, food, etc. I've shipped many times, and in certain cases do believe it's necessary. In my case yes it was mainly a " want" but I was breeding rare lovebirds. I wasn't about to drive 16 hours one way to find them, with 4 kids in tow. I think in some cases it can be less stressful. Say 16 hour one way drive vs a 2 hour flight. I've never lost an animal on the recieving end, or when shipping out. I don't ship as much now, with the rising costs associated with shipping but it's not as bad as some make it out to be. JMO :)

[francescabc]

In Canada you can sometimes ship via the train, and you would use a hard sided cat carrier. I think Nancy has done this a couple times.

[Nancy]

No, I havn't shipped via train because I don't ship. What occurred was the new parent transported him on the train with her. He was in his carrier in the same car as she was and he was never out of her sight. While the train was moving, she could visit with him and check on him.