WolfHeart Ranch has experience shipping Miniature Donkeys to Europe. It is a simple process if you have the right team of professionals handling the animals. However, you must remember that you are dealing with tight timelines, two different government agencies, various testing laboratories, and airlines. You should go into the export process expecting delays and postponements, they are a normal part of exporting. Blood samples are easily contaminated, false positives are common and human error is always possible. If your animals are in quarantine with a reputable facility that communicates with the shipper, buyer and seller that will alleviate second guessing problems that occur, you must have faith in your exporter.

Entering Quarantine: WolfHeart Ranch quarantines at a facility in Texas. The animal is delivered to the quarantine at the buyer's expense. Standard shipping charges to the quarantine facility range from $400 to $600, with discounts for multiple animals.

Quarantine:  The length of time the animal must spend in quarantine varies between receiving countries, our quarantine facility will inform the buyer of the quarantine time requirements.

Quarantine Testing:  Each country has different testing requirements and timelines those tests must adhere to before shipping. The quarantine facility works closely with a Veterinarian and Laboratory to coordinate all required lab tests. Improper timing of required laboratory tests and veterinary certification can result in delayed shipping or increase quarantine time at the destination country. Coggins must be within 30 days of shipping, VS testing must be within 21 days of shipping and Health Certificates must be issued within 10 days of shipping. One delay or mistake can take you back to the beginning of the process.

Transport to Destination:  The mode of transportation is by air to countries outside of the United States. The animals are shipped in a crate provided by the shipping company.  WolfHeart Ranch uses EZ 2 Spot Ranch.  There are different aircrafts used, either cargo only or mixed cargo/passenger planes. Most flights have an attendant accompanying the animals being shipped.

Destination Procedures:   There are different final destination procedures from country to country, EZ 2 Spot Ranch will provide detailed information for pick-up of the animal at the destination facility. Additional quarantine may apply in the destination country.

Export Costs:  As you might imagine the cost to export depends on how many animals shipping, the size of the crate required, the destination country, number of days in required in quarantine, flight costs, veterinary and lab work. And you must also be prepared for cancellations and delays that are sometimes out of anyone's control. Human error has caused delays in export dates so you need to be prepared for the chance that it may happen to your shipment.

Here are some estimates for exporting as of February 2008 rates are subject to change

Custom Crate that could hold two donkeys is around $600

Add to that $465 per animal

If you have a large group they go in a container, a container holds six and costs $5700

Add to that $465 per animal

Quarantine which includes all required tests and transport to the airport $850

Shipping from MO to Quarantine is $500

In June of 2007, I was able to meet the plane delivering a shipment of five Miniature Donkeys and one Miniature Horse. I was very impressed as I watched the process of unloading the container from the cargo plane and then the unloading of the donkeys from the container into the barn. The logistics team was very professional. They handled the animals with the utmost care. The facility at Prestwick, Scotland was modern and very clean. The animals are unloaded and put in a disinfected stall bedded with clean shavings. A veterinarian examines each animal and takes a blood sample for random testing of tests the animals have already passed at their point of departure. Terry and Dianne of EZ 2 Spot accompanied the load of animals to ensure they made the trip safely. They are able to ride with the container and water the animals in transit.  If you have ever hesitated importing Miniature Donkeys because you think the trip might be too rough on them, rest assured, the donkeys are fatigued but not stressed. If you are shipping healthy animals from a reputable breeder there should be minimal risk of harm to the animals. Below are some pictures taken during my visit.

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