U.S. Pet Travel Services Market (2025 - 2033) Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Travel (Domestic, International), By Application (Transportation, Relocation), By Pet (Dog, Cat, Others), By Booking (Online & Phone Bookings, Offline Bookings), And Segment Forecasts

U.S. Pet Travel Services Market Trends

The U.S. pet travel services market size was estimated at USD 659.90 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1,371.53 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 8.66% from 2025 to 2033. The industry is growing significantly, driven by rising pet ownership and humanization of pets, expansion of pet-friendly infrastructure, and technological advancements in pet safety and monitoring. According to a Forbes Media LLC report, as of 2024, 66% of U.S. households (approximately 86.9 million homes) own a pet, reflecting the nation’s strong pet culture. Notably, 97% of pet owners consider their pets part of the family, highlighting the deep emotional bond between people and animals. Dogs remain the most popular pet, with 65.1 million U.S. households owning one, followed closely by cats, owned by 46.5 million households. This widespread ownership fuels demand for products and services that support pet health, comfort, and lifestyle.

The growing number of pet owners in the U.S., coupled with the trend of treating pets as family members, is a major driver for the pet travel services market. Pet parents are increasingly willing to invest in safe, comfortable, and premium travel arrangements for their animals. This includes everything from airline pet cabins and chauffeured ground transport to luxury pet resorts. The chart below illustrates U.S. pet ownership statistics provided by American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA):

U.S. Pet Ownership Statistics

The proliferation of pet-friendly hotels, airlines, restaurants, and recreational spaces across the U.S. is significantly boosting the pet travel services industry. Many hospitality providers now cater specifically to traveling pet owners by offering dedicated pet areas, in-room pet amenities, and on-site veterinary access. Airlines have enhanced pet transport programs, including cabin options, specialized carriers, and temperature-controlled cargo areas. This expansion in infrastructure not only facilitates easier travel for pet owners but also increases confidence in long-distance travel with pets. The industry’s growth is further supported by partnerships between travel companies, pet service providers, and hospitality brands to create seamless travel experiences.

Innovation in pet travel safety and tracking technologies is a major growth catalyst for the U.S. pet travel services market. GPS-enabled collars, real-time health monitoring devices, and climate-controlled carriers now allow pet owners to monitor their animals throughout the journey. Airlines and ground transport providers have integrated these solutions to ensure safety compliance and enhance customer trust. For example, in April 2024, BARK, Inc. launched BARK Air, the world’s first dog-first airline, offering premium, stress-free flights for dogs and their humans, addressing travel challenges and setting a new standard in pet-friendly air travel. Mobile apps that track feeding schedules, temperature, and location add a new layer of convenience. These advancements address pet owners’ concerns about travel-related risks, making them more likely to opt for professional pet travel services, particularly for long-distance and international trips.

Market Concentration & Characteristics

The industry is significantly growing and experiencing accelerating growth. The key players benefit from strong brand recognition, regulatory expertise and the ability to launch innovative vaccines and therapeutics at scale. Their dominance is reinforced by frequent mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships aimed at expanding geographical reach and technological capabilities.

The industry is witnessing high innovation, with companies introducing specialized airlines, luxury pet accommodations, GPS-enabled carriers, and stress-reduction solutions. Digital booking platforms and concierge-style pet relocation services enhance convenience, while custom travel experiences cater to individual pet needs, driving differentiation in a growing market fueled by premiumization and rising pet humanization trends. For instance, in August 2025, PadsPass launched a first-of-its-kind digital platform for international pet travel, applying fintech-level compliance to simplify regulations, prevent documentation mishaps, and ensure safer, smoother cross-border journeys for pets and their owners.

Mergers and acquisitions in the market are increasing as companies seek to expand geographic reach, service portfolios, and customer bases. In April 2024, GlobalVetLink and Airpets International partner to merge digital health certification with expert pet relocation, streamlining international travel compliance, easing documentation burdens, and prioritizing pet welfare for safer, less stressful cross-border journeys.

Regulations significantly influence the market, with airlines, relocation firms, and logistics providers required to meet USDA, IATA, and APHIS guidelines. Compliance with state-specific and international import/export rules ensures animal welfare and safety. Stricter standards for crate specifications, vaccinations, and documentation drive service quality while increasing operational costs and the need for specialized compliance expertise.

Substitutes for professional pet travel services include pet-sitting, boarding facilities, virtual pet interaction tools, and road travel with owners. While these options are cost-effective, they often lack the safety, convenience, and specialized handling offered by professional providers. Premium pet relocation firms differentiate by ensuring regulatory compliance, stress-free journeys, and tailored experiences, reducing substitution threats in the premium segment.

The market serves a concentrated but growing customer base, with high demand from affluent pet owners, expatriates, show pet breeders, and military families. Luxury and long-distance travel services particularly target high-income households, prioritizing pet comfort and safety. Concentration in urban centers with strong air travel connectivity drives regional service demand and specialization.

Travel Insights

Domestic travel held the largest revenue share of 77.32% in 2024, driven by high pet ownership rates and growing demand for safe, convenient transport within the country. Shorter travel times, reduced regulatory hurdles, and lower costs compared to international transport make domestic services more accessible to a wider customer base. Additionally, the rise of pet-friendly hotels, airlines, and vacation rentals supports frequent pet-inclusive trips, further boosting domestic travel’s dominance as the preferred choice among U.S. pet owners.

International travel is the fastest-growing segment in the U.S. pet travel services market, fueled by rising global mobility of pet owners, increasing expatriate relocations, and expanding pet-friendly travel policies worldwide. Advances in digital health certification, expert logistics partnerships, and tailored travel concierge services are simplifying complex cross-border requirements, making overseas pet transport more accessible. Premium services, including charter flights and luxury accommodations, are also gaining traction among affluent pet owners, driving demand for stress-free, high-comfort international journeys for pets and their families.

Application Insights

The transportation segment held the largest share of 67.27% in 2024, driven by rising demand for safe, reliable, and specialized pet relocation solutions. Services range from ground transport for domestic moves to air travel for long distances, catering to diverse customer needs. Professional handling, trained staff, and compliance with health and safety regulations ensure pets’ comfort and well-being during transit. Growing pet ownership, urban mobility, and increasing awareness of professional pet transport services continue to strengthen this segment’s dominant market position.

The relocation segment is projected to witness the fastest CAGR in the U.S. pet travel services market, fueled by increasing domestic and international pet moves due to job changes, lifestyle shifts, and family relocations. Rising awareness of specialized pet relocation services that manage documentation, quarantine compliance, and safe handling is driving demand. Companies offering personalized relocation plans, veterinary coordination, and real-time tracking are gaining traction. As pet owners prioritize stress-free, secure relocation experiences, this segment is set to expand rapidly over the forecast period.

Pet Insights

The dogs segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 60.14% in 2024. This dominance is primarily due to dogs being the most widely owned pets in the country, frequently included in family trips and vacations. The growing trend of treating dogs as family members, combined with advancements in pet travel infrastructure such as dog-friendly accommodations, transportation, and care options, has driven strong demand in this segment. Dogs' social and active nature makes them popular travel companions, further boosting the segment's market share.

The cats segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in the U.S. pet travel services market from 2025 to 2033, driven by the increasing number of cat owners who want to travel with their pets. This growth is supported by rising cat adoption rates, greater awareness of feline welfare during travel, and demand for specialized travel solutions such as stress-free carriers, cat-friendly accommodations, and transport options. As innovations in pet travel infrastructure continue, the cats segment is capturing more market share rapidly.

Booking Insights

The online and phone bookings segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 80.70% in 2024. This is mainly due to the convenience and accessibility these channels offer to pet owners, allowing them to easily research, compare, and book travel services from home. Instant confirmation, customer support, and a seamless booking experience make online and phone bookings the preferred choice. As digital adoption grows, this segment continues to dominate the market.

The offline bookings segment is expected to grow significantly in the U.S. pet travel services market over the forecast period. This growth is driven by pet owners' preference for personalized services and direct communication with travel agents or providers, especially for complex pet travel arrangements. Offline bookings offer tailored advice, customized travel plans, and hands-on assistance that address specific concerns like pet health and safety during transit. As demand for personalized support increases, offline bookings are gaining rapid traction in the market.

U.S. Pet Travel Services Market Trends

The industry is fragmented, led by specialized relocators such as PetRelocation, AirPets, WorldCare, regional operators such as Happy Tails Travel, Bluecollar, and digital marketplaces like CitizenShipper. Key drivers include rising pet ownership, humanization, and premium travel demand. Advancements feature compliance platforms, GPS/health monitoring, and concierge logistics improving safety and convenience. Market competition emphasizes regulatory expertise, end-to-end service, and tech integration; consolidation and partnerships are accelerating scale, while niche luxury and same-day ground transport continue to differentiate providers.

Key U.S. Pet Travel Services Companies Insights

Key players operating in the U.S. pet travel services market are undertaking various initiatives to strengthen their presence and increase the reach of their products and services. Strategies such as expansion activities and partnerships are key in propelling the market growth. 

Recent Developments

• In August 2025, Bark Air expands as a “dog-first” airline, adding Paris, Lisbon, Madrid, Seattle, Florida, and San Francisco routes, offering VIP care, treats, and private/shared charters for stress-free, luxury pet-human travel experiences.

• In July 2025, US Pet Transport Services LLC launched a premium pet transportation standard, employing trained in-house staff, offering CPR-certified care, and delivering safe, personalized ground-to-private-jet journeys for cats and dogs nationwide.

• In September 2024, Starwood Pet Travel partnered with Move for Hunger, pledging 50 donated meals per transported pet, combining global pet relocation expertise with impactful U.S. hunger relief through sponsorship, employee participation, and community engagement.

U.S. Pet Travel Services Market Report Scope

U.S. Pet Travel Services Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the country level and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the U.S. pet travel services market report based on travel, application, pet, and booking:

• Travel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

  • Domestic

  • International

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

  • Transportation

  • Relocation

• Pet Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

  • Dogs

  • Cats

  • Others

• Booking Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

  • Online & Phone Bookings

  • Offline Bookings