Shipping

Anyone searching for an unusual type of pet probably already knows how frustrating and challenging it can be to locate a breeder, willing to ship his or her animals. Each breeder has their own reason (s) excuses why they choose not to get to involved with shipping, but for the most part, shipping is complex, very time consuming and not very cost effective for the breeder.

At heritage-pets, our primary focus is not that of a shipping company, it is on raising and caring for the animals that we keep. Although we prefer to meet everyone we sell an animal to, in person, we also know that this is not always possible, especially for those who live far away. In this case, after speaking in length with the potential purchasers, if we feel they would be a suitable home for our animals we may be willing to ship to them.

"We have been shipping animals Worldwide for nearly 20 years and to date we have never had a single case where an animal that was shipped by air became injured or sick because it was flown to someone. The Airport industry standards are fairly strict especially when it pertains to shipping animals. For the most part, the people working for airline companies are sensitive to the needs of all living things and they understand that all animals need to be cared for differently than shipping a box of chocolates." And better yet…flying is a lot smoother of a ride than driving by car through stop and go traffic.

Below we have posted some information, which may help you decide if having an animal shipped, or delivered to you is something you want to pursue.

LOCAL DELIVERY

We are far too busy to be able to personally deliver any animal. Instead we have been fortunate to find a reliable, independent delivery person who is able to deliver animals to many destinations throughout southern Ontario. Depending on what day of the week you want your baby, teenage or breeding age, (we do not ship or deliver retired breeders or animals in our foster care) hedgehogs delivered, we may be able arrange delivery to many areas in Southern Ontario. To give an idea of what you might expect to pay for local delivery I have listed a few destinations and pricing below. Please understand that although these fees are reasonable they are subject to change as they are based on current gas prices.

Toronto ($40.00)
Guelph, Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo ($40.00)
Hamilton through Mississauga ($30.00)
Niagara region ($20.00)
London, Barrie, Oshawa (delivery is not as regular but we may be able to work something out...PLEASE feel free to inquire)

All delivery fees are at the purchaser’s expense. They are non-refundable and must be paid in full prior to the animal leaving our home.

SHIPPING VIA AIR

Prearranged air shipping is available for baby, teenage and breeding age hedgehogs, (we do not ship or deliver retired breeders or animals in our foster care) from Toronto or Hamilton to most major airports within Canada.
Shipping prices are something we have no control over. Depending on what airport and which airlines you choose to use to have your animals shipped to you, on average, you can expect to pay between $100.00 –150.00 for each shipment (which can include between 1-6 hedgehogs).
You will also need to factor in the cost of the airline approved shipping carrier, which is normally around 20.00 - 25.00. We will do our best to purchase whatever size carrier you need at the lowest prices we can find and only charge the exact amount we pay for it.
We live a fair distance from the airport and do not personally deliver any animals, instead we have been lucky enough to find a reliable but independent delivery person to deliver animals to the airport and to many destinations throughout southern Ontario. The delivery fee fluctuates a bit but is reasonable and the fee is based on current gas prices. (Therefore the fee needs to be discussed prior to booking a flight).
When 3 or more animals are being shipped together in the carrier, to the same address we do offer a bit of a discount on the purchase price of the animals, (please fell free to ask us)
We at Heritage-pets receive a lot of email from people who would like to have an animal shipped but are discouraged because of the shipping charges. To help ease the shipping fees some people choose to combine shipping with other people who are purchasing pets from us. On several occasions, we have suggested that they place an ad on Kijiji, Hoobly or other local ad sites, briefly explaining that you are purchasing an animal from heritage-pets.com and if anyone else is interested in combining and sharing the costs of shipping, to contact them.
To get a quote on shipping, before contacting us to see if we will ship to you, please contact the local air carrier service (air Canada, West Jet, etc,) at the airport you are choosing to have you pet shipped to. Ask them what the charges would be to have a Hedgehog shipped from Toronto or Hamilton airports to your choice of airport destinations. If it is winter ask them if they offer heated cargo. They airline company will want to know the size and weight and size of the carrier. It is safe to say that if you are wanting 1-2 hedgehogs shipped the carrier will

Weight = less than 10 pounds & measures = approx., 17" long x 12" wide x 8"high

Do not book your flight yet! Once you are satisfied with the quote they have given you and you have decided that you would like to proceed with your hedgehog purchase, please call us to discuss the final details. Once we have confirmed a flight, all shipping and associated shipping charges must be paid in full prior to us booking the flight.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING (excluding the USA see below)

On occasion we do ship overseas but we do not find international shipping, very practical. It can be costly! However we also realize how difficult it can be to find certain types of pets in many countries and we know the challenges breeders face when trying to find unrelated animals to use in their breeding program. So we are willing to ship if the purchaser provides all legal papers and documents that are needed and the customer is willing to cover all expenses prior to us shipping the pet.

SHIPPING INTO THE USA　

When we travel to animal events in the USA we seldom have any problems bringing animals back and forth over the border and when we are at events, we always have a wonderful time with our animals. However, when it comes to shipping exotic pets, to the USA that will be staying in the USA, it can get very confusing. US regulations change so often and there is far too much paper work (red tape) to go through that it is simply not worth it to us, to ship pet hedgehogs to individuals residing in the USA.
As a citizen of the USA, it is far more convenient for you to deal with US customs. It seems far easier when you reside in the USA, to bring a hedgehog home with you. Depending on where you live in the USA, it is often easier for you drive to our home to pick up your pet. We live in Niagara Falls, only minutes to the closest border crossing.

PLEASE NOTE

All delivery / shipping fees and associated charges are at the purchaser’s expense and are not included in the purchase price of the pet. Shipping or delivery fees and associated charges are 100% non-refundable.
No animal leaves our home unless it (and delivery / shipping fees) have been paid for in full.
For health and safety reasons we will not combine shipping of animals that do not originate from heritage-pets.
It is your responsibility to know the laws regarding what type of animals you can keep in your area. Please do not expect us to know all of the laws and bylaws in your area. We can not be held accountable to you for you not knowing the laws pertaining to your area. When in doubt contact your local government offices and don’t be surprised if we question you in more detail when we are speaking with you.