The following links outline the standard rates, fees and surcharges applied by WestJet Cargo. If you have more questions about WestJet Cargo, and rates, fees and surcharges, please call us at 1-866-WJCARGO (952-2746). Rates by regions and cargo type Shipping costs for where we offer cargo and different types of goods and products carried. Before starting the process, contact the shipper you intend to use, as most have strict regulations regarding the shipping of live animals. Always follow the shipper's protocol to avoid delayed shipments, which can be dangerous for a live animal in a box.
To sell your pet snake, you must first check the laws in your area to be sure it is legal to do so, as some municipalities prohibit live animal sales without a permit. Assuming it is legal to do so in your area, you must advertise to reach potential buyers. If the buyer lives farther than you are willing to drive, you will need to ship the snake, which may be expensive and require additional permits.
Legal Issues
Some countries regulate the ownership, sale and transport of various species, as do states, counties and cities. You may have to contact several different agencies to be certain that your plan remains on the right side of the law. Begin your query by contacting your local university extension service or a pet store that stocks a large number of reptiles. However, you are ultimately responsible for verifying all legal issues before proceeding.
Marketing Matters
You cannot hope that a buyer for your snake will show up at your front door. You must advertise it to attract buyers. You can place advertisements on various social media sites or hang a flyer at your local pet store for free in many cases. Alternatively, many reptile-oriented websites feature classified sections, where you can advertise your snake in exchange for a nominal fee.
An entirely different approach is to target those who sell snakes at the retail level, such as pet stores and online retailers. Such businesses can only afford to pay a fraction of your snake’s value, as they must be able to generate profit from the transaction. Selling your pet to a reseller is unlikely to be lucrative, but you can avoid a lot of ancillary costs in the process.
Shipping a Snake
While professional snake breeders and online merchants ship snakes as a matter of routine, novices often find the task challenging, if not overwhelming. Before starting the process, contact the shipper you intend to use, as most have strict regulations regarding the shipping of live animals. Always follow the shipper's protocol to avoid delayed shipments, which can be dangerous for a live animal in a box.
In addition to following the carrier’s requirements, you must be sure to package the snake properly so he arrives in good health. Place your snake in a roomy plastic container featuring numerous ventilation holes and a few paper towels to absorb any fluids your snake releases en route. Tape the lid shut on the container and place the container in a foam-lined cardboard box. Punch a few pencil-thick ventilation holes through the box to provide some air exchange. Pack the box with crumpled newspaper to immobilize the plastic container and cushion it during transport. Tape all of the box’s seams to ensure the snake cannot escape.
You must consider the temperatures your snake will be exposed to during shipping. It is best to avoid shipping when the temperatures are above 80 degrees Fahrenheit or below 65 degrees, so that you do not need to use heat or cold packs. Mark the box clearly on the outside with a permanent marker, indicating the boxes contents. Write “FRAGILE” and “LIVE ANIMALS: KEEP AT ROOM TEMPERATURE” on at least two sides. Be sure to obtain tracking information for the package, and have the buyer contact you upon receiving it.
See More Animals
Rescue organizations based in Calgary are 'heartbroken' after reading of apparent changes to WestJet's policies regarding the import of dogs posted Thursday evening.
In a blog post published on WestJet's website, the Calgary-based airline said it was changing its regulations in response to how the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) handles dogs coming into the country.
'This is not a WestJet initiative but one that we are subject to regulation on,' read the post, which has since been deleted.
In a statement provided to CBC News on Friday, WestJet said it was committed to work with rescue organizations to help alleviate barriers they may face.
'We recently released communications to ensure guests are aware of existing Canada Border Services Agency requirements that animals travelling into Canada as commercial imports are required to travel through cargo,' the statement reads. 'We have reinforced our procedures to ensure upon booking that we ask guests, who are importing an animal, if it's a commercial or personal import, and proceed accordingly.
'It is the guest's responsibility to meet the import requirements, for both personal and commercial animals.'
In response to a request for an interview, the CBSA deferred comment to WestJet, and said 'nothing had changed' in regards to government policy.
According to a CBSA document, dogs brought into Canada as rescues destined for adoption are 'considered commercial for import purposes.'
'[We're hoping WestJet will] rescind this policy and they'll see the bigger picture when it comes to dogs' lives,' said Belinda Morrison, founder of the CB Rescue Foundation in Calgary. 'We love [WestJet], they've helped us lots, and we hope it was just an oversight.'
Air Canada and Air Transat did not respond to requests for comment in regards to whether or not their pet import policies had changed.
Westjet Cargo Tracking
Flight angels
Morrison said her organization previously was allowed to designate travellers as 'flight angels' — volunteers who escorted rescue dogs from overcrowded shelters in other countries back to Canada, where they would be paired with new families.
Under the new restrictions outlined, all dogs classified as commercial — those dogs that are for sale, those available for rescue and adoption and others — must be shipped as cargo, and must be inspected upon arrival.
Westjet Air Cargo
Morrison said those changes would be a big financial hit on rescues across the country.
'It's going to be near impossible.… When I can do a flight angel, I can do 50 to 100 dogs in the cabin. Depending on where we're going, it can range from $150 to $220 a dog, depending on the length of the flight,' she said. 'But when you fly cargo, it'll be three to four times the money.'
Merrilee Davies, a volunteer with the Calgary-based Pawsitive Match Rescue Foundation, said the restrictions would likely put an end to the organization's dog import program.
'Well, it's going to have a huge impact. It's unlikely we'd be able to afford the fees that are charged for flying dogs in cargo,' she said. 'We're a volunteer and donation-based rescue, as many are. It would be cost-prohibitive for us.'
Westjet Airlines Cargo Tracking
Dogs imported from other countries often have a history of being abused and neglected, Morrison said.
She said if shelters are unable to export dogs to Canada, it's likely those animals would be negatively impacted.
'Thousands of dogs will die because of this. The reason is [these rescues] phone me and say, 'Hey, Belinda, we have a dog that we can fly with a flight angel,' and then they can bring another dog into their rescue,' she said. 'But now they're full.
'They rely on Canadian great hearts to adopt these dogs. That's what's going on, and that's why I'm not mad, I'm heartbroken.'