What USDA APHIS registration means
A plain-English guide to the only federal credential that applies to pet transporters.
What USDA APHIS is
APHIS stands for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), APHIS regulates anyone who commercially transports, breeds, exhibits, or experiments on certain animals — including dogs and cats moved for hire.
What "Class T" means
Commercial pet transport companies are licensed under a category called Class T — Carrier. A Class T registration number typically looks like 43-T-1234. It tells you the company has:
- Filed a registration with APHIS and been issued a federal number.
- Agreed to minimum standards for vehicles, ventilation, food, water, and rest periods.
- Acknowledged that APHIS inspectors can audit them at any time.
Who is required to register
In short: if a company is paid to move pets across state lines on someone else's behalf, APHIS registration applies. There are narrow exemptions for small in-state moves, but the vast majority of long-distance pet transporters are required to be Class T registered.
What APHIS registration does NOT tell you
APHIS sets a federal floor — not a quality ceiling. Registration tells you a company is legally allowed to operate. It does not tell you:
- How carefully they actually drive.
- Whether their reviews are real.
- How they handle emergencies.
- What their insurance covers.
That's why we pair USDA status with verified customer reviews and owner-verified profiles in this directory.
How to verify a company yourself
Every listing on Pet Transport Verify shows the live USDA status. You can also search the public APHIS database directly at aphis.usda.gov/awa/public-search. If a company you're considering doesn't appear there, treat that as a hard stop until they can explain why.
Ready to verify a company?
Search our independent directory — every listing shows USDA APHIS status and customer reviews.