Delivery (by Owlhaven) to California and Neighboring States

  • Explanation:
    • For the last ten years I have been doing delivery on essentially a donation basis, asking people to contribute a fair amount for their share of the gas. Sometimes I got $50-150, sometimes nothing.
    • In the last few years my business has grown to the point where I have needed to rent cargo vans for delivery purposes. This is safer for the goats as I can provide air conditioning on hot days.
    • My last delivery to the Sacramento area cost me over $900 for supplies (shavings, hay), van rental, gasoline, and a farm sitter. This does not include the value of my time (2 days RT) or meals, lodging, and incidentals. I am not trying to make a profit, but I don't want to lose money either.
    • To mitigate these expenses I have traded my truck for a cargo van. At least now I won't have to pay van rental. But I still need to start covering my real expenses, including the value of my time.
  • Charges:
    • Deliveries are bundled, to reduce client costs. However, this can result in a delayed delivery date.
    • For clients located within a four-hour drive, I can usually meet you halfway to reduce your costs.
    • Time: $20 per hour on work status (driving, rest stops, loading, unloading)
    • 2020 Federal Mileage Rate Round Trip: $.575  (gsa.gov/travel-resources POV Mileage)
    • 2020 Meals & Incidentals (MIE) at the Federal Per Diem rate for the destination (gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates/per-diem-rates-lookup)
    • Lodging (as needed) at the Federal per diem rate (varies based on destination) - I will stay with family when I can, but given COVID, that is not always a possibility. 
    • I am not charging for my farm-sitting (feeding, etc.) expenses for the time on travel.
  • Example: Round Trip to Atwater Feed, Atwater, CA
    • Time: 12 hrs (non-stop, point to point, per google maps): 12 hrs x 20 = $240 - more with loading/unloading
    • 731 miles x .575 = $420
    • MIE: 1 1/2 days: $55 + 27 = $82
    • Lodging: $96 (if necessary)
    • $838 total - prorated across number of goats ($167.60 per goat for 5 goats)
    • Client A has 3 goats: $502.80
    • Client B has 2 goats: $335.20

Other Transportation Options

OUT OF STATE Transportation:
(1) CVIs are required for all out-of-state travel
(2) Blood testing may be required (please know your state's requirements)
(3) Buyers are responsible for all travel arrangements
(4) I work full-time, so transportation to airports is preferably limited to either after 4 pm on weekdays or anytime on weekends.
(5) All transportation arrangements MUST be approved by me before confirming - since in most cases my help is involved.
(6) I will facilitate when I can (e.g., schedule vet calls, try to bundle vet appointments to split call fees, etc.)
(7) I may be able to sell a used crate at 50% discount. I have A LOT floating around the farm. 

Ground transportation (e.g., line haulers)

  • 5 Star Livestock Transport (Amy Sporna) - (630) 962-8737 
  • Blarney Heights Farm Transportation (Brian Gorman) - (406) 544-9219
  • Nigerian Goat Express - 502 523-0869 - David Thomas - The express is a more spendy, but for the biosecurity mavens it's a great choice. What you're paying for is exclusive service. Instead of a crowded trailer, your goat experiences individualized care. Cross country is about $800ish.

Airlines: A limited number of airlines are currently shipping goats

American:
  • Link to flight schedule
  • Temperature restrictions 
  • American restricts to non-stop
​ Alaska Cargo:
  • https://www.alaskacargo.com/petconnect/howtotransport
Delta: Currently on Embargo
United: Animal transport is suspended

​Details to consider for airshipping:
  • DEPARTURE airports: LAX (Los Angeles), SAN (San Diego), SNA (Orange County)
  • Purchase of a crate ($80-$100 est.)
  • CVI - veterinary call ($70 est) and CVI preparation ($55 est)
  • Airfare ($350-$500 est)
  • Delivery to airport (RT) (my mileage and time) - deliveries are bundled when possible and expenses split.
  • My time is limited. I work full-time and do not want to use sick or vacation time to ship your goats. I know, selfish, right? Weekends are always best for me. Alternately, I am on spring break from March 26 through April 11, so I can do shipping during that time frame without affecting the job that pays for my goats.