Important Notice
NPTA is a professional association and certification organization. NPTA does not sell animals, transport animals on behalf of members, collect transport payments, arrange pet sales, or conduct business transactions for independent transporters.
NPTA members and certified transporters are independently owned and operated businesses and are solely responsible for their own pricing, contracts, payments, services, and business practices.
If someone claims to represent NPTA and asks you to send money for an animal, transport service, insurance, crate, airport release, airline fee, or other shipment-related charge, verify the transporter and payment instructions independently before sending funds.
**NPTA does not ask for money other than for membership dues, courses, study materials, or other ancillary charges related to the association.**
Consumer Tips
Protect Yourself Before You Pay
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- Verify the transporter independently. Check their business name, phone number, website, reviews, USDA information when applicable, and NPTA certification/member listing.
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- Use a credit card when possible. Credit cards generally give you better dispute options if a transaction turns out to be fraudulent or services are not provided.
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- Be cautious with irreversible payments. Gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, and some cash-transfer apps (Venmo, Zelle, CashApp) can be difficult or impossible to recover.
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- Confirm payment instructions. Make sure the person or business receiving payment sends you written transport agreement with payment terms that matches the transporter you hired.
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- Question unusual “required” fees. Be especially cautious of last-minute charges for insurance, special crates, airport release, permits, temperature control, or other fees you cannot independently verify.
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- Do not send more money because of threats or urgency. Claims that an animal will be seized, abandoned, quarantined, or denied release unless you pay immediately are major red flags.
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- Save everything. Keep contracts, invoices, payment receipts, emails, texts, screenshots, names, phone numbers, and tracking information.
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- Call and verify. If something feels wrong, contact the transporter, airline, veterinary office, government agency, or other organization through a phone number or website you locate independently
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If something doesn’t add up, stop the transaction and verify before sending any money.