Published on September 10, 2026
If you have started researching how to move your pet internationally, you have probably come across the letters IPATA more than once. It shows up on pet transport websites, in airline documentation, and in the fine print of relocation contracts. But what is it, and why should it factor into your decision about who handles your pet’s move?
What Does IPATA Stand For?
IPATA stands for the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association. It was founded in 1979, starting as a small network of six U.S. pet shippers. Today it has grown into an international trade association with member companies spanning more than 90 countries.
IPATA is not an airline, a government agency, or a booking platform. It is a nonprofit trade association built around a shared standard: professional, humane, and well-regulated animal transport.
Who Can Join IPATA?
IPATA membership is not limited to pet shipping companies. The association’s ranks include airlines, animal handlers, boarding kennels, quarantine operators, veterinarians, and other suppliers to the pet transport industry. What connects them is a commitment to the safe and humane movement of animals, backed by a formal set of membership criteria set by IPATA’s board.
Active pet shipping members in the U.S. are registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and are expected to follow the standards set out in the USDA’s Animal Welfare Act. Members are also expected to adhere to the Live Animals Regulations published by the International Air Transport Association, the rulebook airlines use for transporting animals safely in cargo and the cabin.
Why Does IPATA Membership Matter to Pet Parents?
None of this is just industry trivia. For pet parents comparing pet shipping companies, IPATA membership is one of the more reliable signals of legitimacy in an industry that otherwise has few gatekeepers. A few reasons it matters:
- Vetted before they join. New applicants go through a screening process before IPATA approves their membership, rather than simply paying a fee to list their name. Applicants must submit references from existing IPATA members, hold business liability insurance, and, in the U.S., be registered with the USDA as an Intermediate Handler or Class B Dealer before they are approved.
- A shared code of conduct. Members agree to a set of membership responsibilities, which gives pet parents a baseline expectation for how a company should operate, communicate, and handle animals in its care.
- Access to current regulations. IPATA maintains country profiles covering import requirements for over 200 countries, so member companies can stay current on health certificates, vaccination rules, and quarantine requirements as they change.
- A network, not a solo operator. IPATA members work within an international network of other vetted pet shippers, which matters when a move involves connections through multiple countries or requires a trusted partner on the ground at the destination.
What IPATA Membership Does Not Mean
It is worth being clear about the limits, too. IPATA does not draft or enforce the pet import regulations of any country. Requirements like microchip standards, health certificate rules, or quarantine periods are set by individual governments, and IPATA’s role is to help its members track and navigate those rules, not to write them. Membership is also not a guarantee of any particular airline booking, since airlines make their own space and policy decisions for live animals.
How to Use IPATA Membership When Choosing a Pet Shipper
Gaucho and Chicha settling into their new home after a successful relocation.
When you are comparing pet relocation companies, IPATA membership is a good starting question to ask, but it should not be the only one. Ask how long the company has been an active member, whether they specialize in your destination country, and how they communicate updates when regulations shift.
You do not have to take a company’s word for it, either. IPATA maintains a public “Find a Pet Shipper” search on its website, where you can look up member companies by country or airport. If a company lists IPATA membership on its site, a quick search confirms whether that membership is active and current, rather than lapsed, expired, or simply implied.
A membership badge tells you a company has met a baseline standard. The conversation, and a quick check of the directory, tells you whether they are the right fit for your pet’s move.
See how WorldCare’s IPATA membership and country-specific experience stack up. Get in touch to discuss your pet’s destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IPATA membership the same as an airline or government certification?
No. IPATA is an independent trade association, not an airline, government agency, or regulatory body. Membership reflects industry standards, not government licensing.
Can a pet shipping company lose its IPATA membership?
Yes. Membership is not permanent. Companies are expected to maintain IPATA’s code of conduct and standards to remain in good standing, which is part of why it’s worth confirming a company’s membership is current rather than assuming a badge on their website is up to date.
Does every country require using an IPATA member to import a pet?
No. Some countries and routes allow pet parents to manage the process independently, particularly for straightforward moves with lighter documentation requirements. IPATA membership becomes more valuable for complex routes, layovers, or destinations with strict quarantine and health certificate rules.
Are all pet shipping companies IPATA members?
No. IPATA membership is voluntary, so plenty of companies operate without it. That’s part of why checking membership status is a useful first filter, though not the only one, when comparing options.
Moving your pet across the world just got less stressful. Valerie Neyra, Marketing Coordinator at WorldCare Pet and devoted cat mom to Lucky, creates the guides, tools, and resources pet parents need to navigate domestic and international pet transport with confidence. Her mission? Making sure no pet owner feels alone during a global move.