Shipping & Live Arrival Policy

Shipping live animals is the most delicate part of what we do, and we take it seriously. This policy explains how and when we dispatch, what our Live Arrival Guarantee covers, and what we need from you to give every animal the best possible journey. [Placeholder wording: adjust carriers, prices and cut-off times to your actual operation.]

Dispatch days & timing

To avoid animals sitting in a depot over a weekend, livestock is dispatched early in the week on a next-day or specialist courier service. Orders placed after our daily cut-off, or late in the week, are held until the next suitable dispatch day. Equipment and dry goods ship on standard services throughout the week.

Delivery options & cost

Delivery methods and prices are shown at checkout and depend on the contents and weight of your order. Live animals must travel on a tracked, next-day or courier service — standard economy post is not available for livestock. [Set out your live-shipping price and any free-delivery threshold here.]

Packaging

Animals are packed in insulated boxes with heat or cool packs matched to the forecast, secure inner containers, and breathable substrate or padding appropriate to the species. Everything is chosen to keep temperatures stable and the animal secure in transit.

Weather holds

During extreme heat or cold we may hold your order until conditions are safe, even if that delays delivery by a few days. This protects the animal. We will keep you informed, and no order is ever knowingly shipped into conditions that put livestock at unnecessary risk.

Being available to receive your parcel

Live animals should not sit on a doorstep or in a hot vehicle. Please make sure someone is available to receive the parcel on the delivery day. We recommend against leaving “safe place” or neighbour instructions for livestock. If a live parcel is missed, returned to depot, or left unattended against our advice, our Live Arrival Guarantee may not apply.

Live Arrival Guarantee

Every animal we ship is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee. In the rare event that livestock arrives dead, our Dead on Arrival (DOA) Policy sets out exactly what to do — in short, contact us within 24 hours of delivery with clear photos and, ideally, an unbroken unboxing video, and keep all packaging until the claim is resolved.

Delivery areas

We currently ship livestock within [mainland UK]. Some remote areas, and certain species, may be restricted or subject to a surcharge. We do not ship live animals internationally unless expressly agreed. [Adjust to your coverage.]

Tracking & problems in transit

You will receive tracking details when your order is dispatched. If tracking shows a delay or a problem with a live parcel, contact us as soon as possible so we can help resolve it with the courier.

Last updated: [date]. Any questions about a delivery? Contact us before you order if you are unsure whether we can ship to you safely.