Transporting Dogs

[Dan Newcombe]

Morning all

Just curious if anyone thinks that there is a market out there for dog transport round the country.

My girlfriend is setting up as self employed and I was thinking this morning that this is something she might be able to add into the 'business plan'.

Other than having the vehicle insured for business use would you need any other certification (as is the case with moving livestock about).

Would be far from being full time but occasional when people need it.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Dan

[Amberquest]

Potenitally mate yeah. Cost me £40 to get my dog picked up at J36 and taken down to Shropshire if thats any help price wise

[Sgurr]

Yes, you do need the appropriate permit/licence - you should be able to get details on the DEFRA site.

[086*downey]

Just for info have sent a couple of dogs from here in Republic Of Ireland - one to Sctoland and one to Wales.
Cost was £80 each which is very reasonable noting ferry crossing etc included

[druimmuir]

Definately something needed I have had dogs across from Ireland to Scotland relatively easily and for £80, but struggle to get anything up from England to Scotland

[Dan Newcombe]

Christ, that's cheaper than I thought it was going to be!

Do they do that based on the trip that your animal needs of the mileage that they are actually doing?

Thanks for the input so far

[Contender]

I as understand it, the Northern Ireland-Scotland/England/Wales transports are over a couple of times a week and they've got a fair few dogs with them. When I had a puppy transported over form Northern Ireland, I paid £70 and I was impressed with the van transport set up: Sparkling clean, good room in transport cages, light and airy yet there were room for a fair few dogs.

Don't think it's an easy business to be in as it's obviously very affected by diesel prices, I'd expect the insurance is not cheap either.

Natasha

[Dan Newcombe]

Cheers for that.

Thought it might be a useful string to a bow but on the basis of very occasional activity its probably not a viable option.

Shame as it would be at the very least an interesting proposition!

[086*downey]

The cost across Irish sea is flat fee. If you are in Birmingham its same cost as further south.

My buyer in Scotland paid the same as buyer in Wales.

Guys involved do alot of greyhound transport so have alot of dogs on board but pups were not put in with other dogs -- was one dog per cage unless somebody sending couple pups and wanted them in together.

Only thing is it is not door to door service they go along main motorway routes so will have to meet at arranged point otherwise they would be all over the place -- straight down motorway from boat to major cities so that keeps the cost low. My welsh buyer drove an hour to pick up point and an hour home.

When I arrived to pass over my pup the driver was cleaning out the cages and ensuring all ok and his helper was walking dogs on their leads let them stretch their legs

[Ben Smith]

Have seriously considered this. Having been a taxi driver for 10 years doing mainly airports and knowing the cost involved running a vehicle up and down the country I'm just not sure it would pay. I'm sure there would be a market for it but pricing to keep the customer happy and still make a reasonable profit would be very hard.