Awards & Certifications
IPATA 2024 Industry Partner Award
The IPATA Industry Partner Award recognizes a person, company, or organization that has made significant contributions to improving the pet shipping industry, enhancing animal welfare, and supporting better business operations for IPATA members.
IPATA Pet Shipper + Certified BOAS Pet Shipper
The ARK is a certified member of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association, dedicated to the safe, ethical, and professional transport of animals worldwide. The ARK follows high standards and regulatory compliance to ensure animal welfare during travel.
The ARK is an IPATA Certified BOAS Pet Shipper is trained to safely transport snub-nosed breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs, which are prone to breathing issues. The ARK uses special protocols and collaborate with veterinarians to assess whether each animal is fit for air travel.
Center of Excellence for Independent Validators Certification For Animals
The CEIV for Live Animals certification from IATA confirms that The ARK upholds high standards for the safe and humane transport of animals, meeting strict guidelines in handling, staff training, and infrastructure. This certification, backed by global regulatory bodies, assures clients of best practices in animal welfare during air transport.
USDA Registered Intermediate Handler - Class H
The ARK is approved by the United States Department of Agriculture to handle animals safely and humanely, meeting federal standards for care and compliance with the Animal Welfare Act. This certification ensures responsible handling during transport, particularly for long-distance or international journeys.
CDC Animal Air Care Facility
The ARK has been endorsed as a CDC Animal Air Care Facility. This ensures the safe handling and care of animals traveling by air, adhering to CDC regulations to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The ARK provides health screening, quarantine when necessary, and proper care for animals during transport, ensuring compliance with all U.S. entry and exit requirements.
Certified Cargo Screening Facility
The ARK operates as a TSA-certified Certified Cargo Screening Facility (CCSF) on-site at JFK International Airport, giving our clients an extra layer of security, screening and chain-of-custody assurance for live animal shipments.
Indirect Air Carrier
We operate as a TSA-approved Indirect Air Carrier (IAC) at JFK International Airport, ensuring every live-animal shipment we handle meets the highest standards of air-cargo security and regulatory compliance. Our TSA-vetted team, secure facility access, and controlled chain-of-custody procedures safeguard each animal’s journey from check-in to take-off.
U.S. Bonded Customs Warehouse
The ARK operates as a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Bonded Warehouse at JFK International Airport, providing a secure, fully regulated environment for the import and export of live animals. Our bonded designation allows The ARK at JFK to safeguard animals while they undergo inspection and clearance from agencies such as CBP, USDA, and CDC — ensuring compliance, transparency, and safety every step of the way.
For Those Making a CDC Reservation Request
To our valued customers: The ARK has updated its reservation system. This new system will facilitate prompt quotes and improve communications with our customers. In the short run, there may be some glitches and duplicative emails. We ask your patience during the transition for any inconvenience this may cause.
We still kindly ask that you start the reservation process at least 35 days before the intended arrival date. An email/form does not constitute a reservation.
Dogs arriving should expect ONE overnight stay before entry.