Experience on the route
Ask how many times they've handled your specific route, and whether they handle your dog's size or breed regularly.
Licences and insurance
Ask what licences apply to their work and whether they carry insurance covering your animal in transit. A provider confident in their answer will usually give you specifics, not just reassurance.
Animal welfare and emergency process
Ask what happens if your dog shows distress or needs a vet mid-journey, and who physically handles your dog at each stage, is it the same company throughout, or subcontractors?
Documentation and crate responsibility
Confirm exactly who is responsible for checking documentation is correct and complete, and who provides or approves the travel crate.
Delays, cancellation and price
Ask what happens if your travel date shifts, what the cancellation policy is, and get a clear breakdown of what's included in any quoted price versus what might be extra.
References and complaints
Ask for a reference from a recent customer on a similar route, and how they'd handle a complaint if something went wrong. A provider who answers this comfortably is usually one worth trusting further.