Do Pet Transporters Use GPS Tracking?
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
If your pet is traveling with a transporter, especially over long distances, you might wonder: Do pet transporters use GPS tracking?
Some do, and some don’t. While not all pet transport services offer live tracking, GPS tools are becoming more common, particularly for ground travel,
and airline tracking is often available for flights.
What Is Pet Transport GPS Tracking?
Pet transport GPS tracking generally refers to one of the following:
Live location sharing by the driver or ground escort
Flight tracking using the airline and flight number
GPS-enabled devices (less common, sometimes attached to the crate or gear)
Most often, ground transporters will share a live location using an app like Life360, Find My, or Google Maps. For air travel, flight nannies typically provide the flight number so the recipient can follow along using airline apps or tracking websites.
When Is GPS or Flight Tracking Used?
Ground transport: Live GPS tracking may be shared directly with the client so they can follow the route in real time.
Flight nanny services: While GPS isn't available mid-flight, clients usually receive the airline name and flight number, allowing them to track the plane’s location and status independently. In addition, flight nannies provide checkpoint-based updates like “just cleared TSA” or “arrived at gate.”
Do All Pet Transporters Offer Tracking?
Not always. Some services include tracking automatically, others offer it by request, and a few may not use it at all. If it matters to you, it’s always worth asking ahead of time.
Even without GPS, good transporters provide timely updates through text, photos, or group messaging, especially during key milestones like pickup, layovers, and arrival.
Why Pet Transport GPS Tracking Matters
Gives visibility into the trip’s progress
Offers peace of mind, especially for longer routes
Minimizes the need for constant check-ins
Helps plan for arrival or pickup timing
Builds trust between the transporter, sender, and receiver
GPS tracking is a useful tool — but it works best when paired with reliable, human communication.
Final Thoughts
So, do pet transporters use GPS tracking? Many do, especially for ground trips, and flight escorts often provide tracking numbers for airline monitoring. If updates are important to you, ask your transporter what kind of tracking or notifications they provide in advance.
