Shipping & Delivery Policy

Last Updated: May 9, 2026 | Effective Date: May 9, 2026

Transporting a live kitten is not the same as shipping a package. Every delivery we coordinate involves veterinary clearances, regulatory documentation, airline safety rules, weather monitoring, and a commitment to your kitten’s comfort from our door to yours. This page explains exactly how we deliver kittens, what rules govern live animal transport, and what you need to know as the buyer.

This policy is incorporated by reference into our Terms of Service. For information about refunds related to shipping delays, see our Refund & Deposit Policy.

1. Delivery Options and Pricing
2. Estimated Delivery Timeline
3. What Happens Before Your Kitten Travels
4. Documentation That Accompanies Your Kitten
5. Air Cargo Delivery — How It Works
6. Flight Nanny Service — How It Works
7. Ground Transport — How It Works
8. Local Pickup in Wood Dale, IL
9. Temperature Restrictions and Weather Embargoes
10. Breed-Specific Airline Restrictions
11. Interstate Transport Requirements
12. How Our Kittens Enter the United States
13. Risk of Loss — Who Is Responsible During Transit
14. Delivery Delays and Your Rights
15. Your Responsibilities at Delivery
16. What Arrives With Your Kitten
17. Restricted Destinations
18. Contact Us

1. Delivery Options and Pricing

We offer five delivery methods. The best option depends on your location, schedule, and comfort level. All pricing is in US dollars and is quoted at the time of reservation.

Delivery Method	Estimated Cost	How It Works	Best For
Local Pickup	Free	You visit our showroom in Wood Dale, IL by appointment and take your kitten home the same day.	Chicagoland area buyers, anyone who prefers a personal handoff
Air Cargo	$550	Your kitten travels in the climate-controlled cargo hold of a commercial American Airlines flight. You pick up your kitten at the destination airport’s cargo facility.	Buyers near major airports, cost-conscious long-distance delivery
Ground Transport	Variable (quoted per route)	A professional pet transport service drives your kitten from our showroom to your area. Multi-day routes include rest stops, feeding, and temperature-controlled vehicles.	Buyers in the Midwest or Eastern US, cooler months when air cargo embargoes are active
Flight Nanny	$900 -1,400 (quoted per route)	A dedicated pet courier accompanies your kitten in-cabin on a commercial flight. Your kitten rides under the seat in a carrier, supervised the entire journey. You meet the nanny at your destination airport.	Anxious first-time buyers, long flights, maximum peace of mind
Door-to-Door Delivery	$1,250-1,500 (quoted per route)	We coordinate transport directly from our showroom to your home address, combining air travel and ground transport as needed.	Buyers in remote areas, anyone who cannot travel to an airport

Shipping fees are in addition to the kitten’s purchase price and are collected with your final balance payment. Exact shipping quotes are confirmed when delivery is scheduled, as costs may vary based on route, fuel surcharges, and airline pricing changes.

2. Estimated Delivery Timeline

Once your kitten is veterinarian-cleared for travel and your final payment is received:

Kittens already in the US (“Pick Up Today” listings): Delivery is typically arranged within 1 to 7 business days.
Pre-order kittens (imported from European partner catteries): The total time from deposit to delivery is typically 14 to 40 days, depending on the kitten’s age, veterinary clearance, international documentation processing, and available flight schedules.

We will provide you with a specific estimated delivery date after your final payment is received. If circumstances change and we anticipate a delay beyond the originally estimated window, we will notify you in writing and provide your options under the FTC Mail Order Rule — see Section 14.

All kittens must be at least 16 weeks (3,5 months) old before they travel. We will not ship a kitten that is too young, regardless of the buyer’s timeline preferences. This age minimum ensures the kitten has completed its initial vaccination series and is developmentally ready for the stress of transport.

3. What Happens Before Your Kitten Travels

Before any kitten leaves our showroom, the following steps are completed:

Veterinary health examination by a USDA-accredited veterinarian, confirming the kitten is in good health and fit for travel
Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued within the timeframe required by the destination state (typically within 10 days of travel) — see Section 11
Verification of vaccination records — FVRCP, rabies (if the kitten is 12+ weeks), and deworming must all be current
Microchip scan to confirm the microchip is reading correctly and registered
Weather check — we monitor origin, connection, and destination airport temperatures 48 hours before travel. If temperatures breach airline safety thresholds, the flight is rescheduled — see Section 9
Travel kit preparation — your kitten is outfitted with an airline-approved carrier, absorbent bedding, and food/water for the journey

4. Documentation That Accompanies Your Kitten

Every kitten is delivered with the following documentation (physical copies provided at pickup/delivery whenever available, with digital copies emailed to you as needed):

International veterinary passport — documenting all vaccinations, deworming treatments, microchip information, and medical history prior to travel
Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI / Health Certificate) — issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and valid for interstate transport
Pedigree / registration documents — if a physical pedigree is available at the time of delivery, it will be provided with the kitten. If the original pedigree is still pending from the registry, a PDF copy will be emailed to you once received

5. Air Cargo Delivery — How It Works

Air cargo is our most popular delivery method for long-distance shipments. Here is the process step by step:

Booking. We book your kitten on an American Airlines cargo flight with the fewest possible connections. Direct flights are prioritized when available.
Pre-flight. Your kitten is placed in a USDA/IATA-compliant airline-approved carrier with absorbent bedding, a water dish attached to the door, food, and a familiar comfort item. The carrier is labeled with your kitten’s name, your name and contact information, our information, feeding and watering instructions, and a “Live Animal” sticker on all four sides.
During the flight. Your kitten travels in the pressurized, climate-controlled cargo hold — the same section that holds flight crew luggage. This area is maintained at cabin temperature and cabin pressure. Your kitten does not travel in an unheated or unpressurized baggage area.
Arrival. When the flight lands, your kitten is transferred to the airline cargo facility at the destination airport. You will be notified by phone or text when the kitten is ready for pickup. Most airlines require pickup within 1 hours of the cargo facility’s notification.
Pickup. You (or a designated adult 18+) go to the airline’s cargo facility — not the passenger terminal — with a valid photo ID. You sign the release form and take your kitten home.

What you need to bring to the airport: A valid photo ID matching the name on the shipment, a secure vehicle (kitten should ride in the carrier or a secure cat carrier in the car), and the airline cargo tracking number (which we will provide to you in advance).

6. Flight Nanny Service — How It Works

For maximum peace of mind, our flight nanny service provides one-on-one supervision for your kitten from takeoff to landing.

How it works: A dedicated pet courier boards a commercial flight with your kitten in a soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat. The nanny monitors your kitten throughout the flight — providing water, comfort, and attention. Upon landing, you meet the nanny at the airport (usually at the arrivals area), receive your kitten and all documentation, and head home.

Who are the flight nannies?
We work with experienced pet transporters and animal caretakers who have extensive hands-on experience traveling with kittens and other live animals. Our flight nannies are carefully selected based on their experience, reliability, and familiarity with in-cabin pet travel procedures.

In-cabin limits: Airlines limit the number of pets allowed in the cabin per flight (typically only a few pets per aircraft). Because of this, flight nanny availability may be limited during busy travel periods and holidays. We recommend arranging transportation in advance whenever possible. If a preferred flight is unavailable, alternative dates or routing options may be offered.

7. Ground Transport — How It Works

Ground transport is an excellent option for buyers in the Midwest, East Coast, or Southeast, and is particularly useful during winter months when airline temperature embargoes may restrict air travel.

How it works: A professional pet transport service picks up your kitten from our Wood Dale, IL showroom and drives to your area. The vehicle is temperature-controlled, and the kitten is housed in a comfortable carrier with food, water, and bedding. For multi-day routes, the driver makes scheduled rest stops for feeding, hydration, and exercise.

Pricing: Ground transport costs vary depending on distance, route complexity, fuel costs, and whether the route is a dedicated single-animal trip or a shared route with other deliveries. We provide a specific quote when delivery is scheduled. Typical ground transport within the Midwest ranges from $300 to $600; East Coast deliveries typically range from $500 to $1000.

Timeline: Ground transport takes longer than air travel — typically 1 to 3 days depending on distance. We provide a detailed route timeline before travel begins.

8. Local Pickup in Wood Dale, IL

Buyers in the Chicagoland area (or anyone willing to travel) are welcome to pick up their kitten in person at our showroom in Wood Dale, Illinois.

Address: 126 E Irving Park Rd, Wood Dale, IL 60191

Hours:
Office & Pickups: Tuesday–Saturday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM CT

Online Support: Monday–Sunday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM CT

Please note: Our showroom and pickup office are generally closed on Sundays and Mondays. Limited appointments or pickups may occasionally be accommodated by special arrangement only.

Appointments: Required. Please schedule your pickup at least 48 hours in advance so we can have your kitten and all documentation ready.

What to bring: A valid photo ID, a secure cat carrier for the drive home (we provide a complimentary carrier with every kitten, but you may also bring your own), and a printed or digital copy of your purchase confirmation.

Local pickup is free — no delivery fee applies.

9. Temperature Restrictions and Weather Embargoes

The safety of your kitten is non-negotiable. Airlines enforce strict temperature rules for live animal cargo, and we go beyond the airline minimums to protect your kitten.

Airline temperature thresholds

Temperature Condition	Airline Rule	What Happens
Ground temperature at origin, connection, or destination is above 85°F (29°C)	Cargo embargo — live animals are not accepted	Flight is rescheduled to a cooler date or time. In summer, early morning flights are prioritized.
Ground temperature is between 45°F and 85°F (7°C – 29°C)	Standard transport — no restrictions	Kitten travels as scheduled.
Ground temperature is between 20°F and 44°F (−7°C – 7°C)	Permitted only with a veterinary Letter of Acclimation	We obtain a signed letter from a licensed veterinarian certifying that your kitten can safely tolerate the low temperatures.
Ground temperature is below 20°F (−7°C)	Cargo embargo — live animals are not accepted under any circumstances	Flight is rescheduled. Ground transport may be offered as an alternative.

We monitor weather proactively. We check forecasted ground temperatures at the origin (O’Hare or Midway), any connection airport, and your destination airport 48 hours before the scheduled flight. If conditions are marginal, we will not risk your kitten’s safety — we reschedule.

Temperature-related delays are the most common cause of rescheduled flights, particularly during summer heat waves (June–August) and winter cold snaps (December–February). If your delivery falls during these seasons, please be prepared for potential weather-related schedule changes.

10. Breed-Specific Airline Restrictions

Some airlines restrict or prohibit the transport of certain brachycephalic (flat-faced) cat breeds in cargo due to elevated respiratory risk during air travel. This may affect the following MeoWoff breeds:

Burmese — some airlines may restrict Burmese cats from cargo transport because of their shortened facial structure. In such cases, flight nanny (in-cabin) or ground transportation may be required.
Exotic Shorthair / Persian — many airlines classify these as restricted brachycephalic breeds, and cargo transport may not be available. Flight nanny (in-cabin) transportation is often recommended.

If a breed is restricted on a specific route or airline, we will discuss available transportation options with you before any booking is finalized.

11. Interstate Transport Requirements

Shipping a live animal from Illinois to another state requires compliance with both federal and destination-state regulations.

Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)

Nearly every US state requires a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (also called an interstate health certificate) for animals entering from another state. This document must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 10 days of the travel date (some states allow up to 30 days). We handle obtaining the CVI for every shipment — this is our responsibility, not yours.

Rabies vaccination

Many states require cats over 12 weeks of age to have a current rabies vaccination before crossing state lines. All MeoWoff kittens that are age-eligible receive their rabies vaccination before delivery. For kittens under 12 weeks (rare — we typically deliver at 12-16 weeks), we work with the destination state’s requirements to ensure compliance.

12. How Our Kittens Enter the United States

Meowoff sources kittens from WCF-registered catteries in Europe, primarily Ukraine. Here is how the importation process works and what regulatory framework governs it:

Federal import requirements for cats

Under current US regulations, domestic cats (Felis catus) are generally exempt from the strict federal import requirements that apply to dogs. Specifically:

The CDC does not require a federal rabies import permit for cats entering the United States. (The recent CDC overhaul of import rules primarily targets dogs from countries with high rabies risk — cats are treated separately.)
The USDA APHIS does not require a VS 17-129 import permit for commercial importation of domestic cats.
The Lacey Act (which prohibits wildlife trafficking) expressly exempts common domestic animals, including cats.

What IS required

Despite the federal exemptions, the following documentation is required or standard practice for importing our kittens:

EU Pet Passport or Veterinary Health Certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin, within 10 days of departure
Current rabies vaccination record — while not federally mandated at the US border for cats, airlines universally require it, and most US states require it for intrastate movement after arrival
Microchip confirmation — each kitten is microchipped before international travel, and the chip number is recorded on all health documents
Full vaccination record including FVRCP and deworming treatments

Special requirements for Bengal cats

Bengal cats are hybrids of the domestic cat and the Asian Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis). Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), Bengals that are fewer than five generations removed from the wild ancestor (F1 through F4) require CITES import and export permits and US Fish & Wildlife Service declarations. All Bengal kittens sold by Meowoff are F5 or later generations — fully domestic under CITES — and do not require special wildlife permits.

13. Risk of Loss — Who Is Responsible During Transit

This section explains who bears responsibility for the kitten’s safety at each stage of the delivery process.

Stage	Who Bears Risk	What This Means
While at our showroom (before handoff to carrier)	MeoWoff	We are fully responsible for your kitten’s safety and health until it is transferred to the airline, transport service, or flight nanny.
During air cargo transit	MeoWoff	We retain responsibility while your kitten is in the airline’s cargo system. If the kitten is injured, becomes ill, or is lost during air cargo transport, we will work with the airline to resolve the situation and you will not bear the loss.
During flight nanny transit	MeoWoff	The flight nanny is our agent. We are responsible for your kitten’s safety while the nanny has custody.
During ground transport	MeoWoff	Our contracted ground transport service operates on our behalf. We retain responsibility during ground transit.
After you take physical possession (at the airport, at our showroom, or at your door)	You (the Buyer)	Once you sign the delivery receipt and take physical custody of the kitten, risk transfers to you. This is when your 72-hour veterinary exam window begins.

In plain terms: we bear the risk until your kitten is in your hands. This is a “destination contract” — the kitten is our responsibility until delivery is complete.

This buyer-protective approach exceeds the UCC default (which normally transfers risk to the buyer when goods are handed to the carrier). We absorb transit risk because we believe it is the right thing to do, and because it gives you confidence that we take every delivery seriously.

14. Delivery Delays and Your Rights

Delays can happen in live animal transport. The most common causes are weather embargoes, airline schedule changes, veterinary holds (a vet determines the kitten needs more time before traveling), and international documentation processing.

When a delay occurs:

We notify you immediately by email and phone with the reason for the delay and a revised estimated delivery date.
If the delay will push your delivery beyond 30 days from the date of your deposit, we provide a formal Delay Notification under the FTC Mail Order Rule, giving you the choice to consent to the new date or cancel your order for a full refund.
A delay does not entitle MeoWoff to charge you additional fees. If a rescheduled flight costs more than the original booking, we absorb the difference.

15. Your Responsibilities at Delivery

For airport pickup (air cargo)

Pick up your kitten at the airline cargo facility within the timeframe specified by the airline (typically within 4 hours of the ready-for-pickup notification). Late pickups may incur airline holding fees, which are your responsibility.
Bring a valid photo ID matching the shipment name.
Have a secure vehicle with the carrier (or use the carrier provided with the kitten) for the drive home. Do not let the kitten roam freely in the car.

For flight nanny pickup

Meet the flight nanny at the agreed location at the destination airport, at the agreed time. If your plans change, contact us at least 24 hours in advance to rearrange.
Bring a valid photo ID.

For ground transport or door-to-door delivery

An adult (18+) must be present at the delivery address to receive the kitten and sign the delivery receipt.
Have a room prepared for the kitten’s arrival — food, water, litter box, and a quiet space to decompress after the journey.

For all delivery methods

Schedule your veterinary exam. You must take your kitten to a licensed veterinarian within 72 hours of taking possession. This activates your Health Guarantee and establishes a baseline health record.
Inspect the documentation. Verify that you received all documents listed in Section 4. If anything is missing, contact us within 48 hours.

16. What Arrives With Your Kitten

Every kitten delivery includes:

A complimentary airline-approved carrier (yours to keep)
A comfort blanket or toy from the kitten’s familiar environment
For cargo shipments only: a small supply of food attached to the carrier in case of unexpected travel delays
All documentation listed in Section 4, including the veterinary passport, health certificate, pedigree/registration documents (if applicable), and kitten care instructions

Before pickup or delivery, clients are expected to have the recommended food prepared at home according to our transition guidelines.

17. Restricted Destinations

We ship to all 50 US states. However, the following destinations have special requirements that may affect delivery timing or method:

Hawaii: Hawaii imposes a mandatory quarantine period for all animals entering the state (up to 120 days, or a shorter 5-day-or-less quarantine if all pre-arrival requirements are met). We can ship to Hawaii, but the quarantine process adds significant time and cost. Contact us to discuss Hawaii-specific logistics before placing a deposit.
US territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, USVI): Shipping to US territories involves additional logistics and may require extra documentation. Pricing is quoted on a case-by-case basis.
Alaska: Winter temperature embargoes may limit air cargo to spring and summer months. Flight nanny service is available year-round.

We do not currently offer international delivery (outside the US and its territories). If you are located outside the United States, please contact us to discuss options.

18. Contact Us

For questions about shipping, delivery scheduling, tracking your kitten’s travel, or special delivery requests:

MeoWoff Inc.

126 E Irving Park Rd

Wood Dale, IL 60191

Email: info@meowoff.us (include “Shipping” or “Delivery” in the subject line)

Phone: (773) 917-0073

Hours: Office & Pickups: Tuesday–Saturday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM CT