Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Maroun.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Prior to starting Feathers and Fur Express, I was a petroleum geologist living in California. Although I love geology, I was not very passionate about petroleum geology to say the least. In 2016, I was diagnosed with cancer, and it changed my perspective in a flash. I quit my job in petroleum geology and focused on my health and wellbeing for a bit. I wanted to start a business, so my husband and I decided to move somewhere more affordable and business-friendly. In early 2018, my sister, Angela, and I started Feathers and Fur Express, based in Georgia.
Initially, our company provided domestic ground shipping for pets around the US. Angela thought the demand was there since most of the US based airlines heavily restrict pet shipments by pet breed and temperature, or they no longer transport pets altogether. She was correct, and our business took off rather quickly.
We slowly began arranging international pet moves for a few of our US military clients moving on orders. Because international pet shipping is primarily based on meeting the regulations set forth by a variety of governing agencies (ie: destination country, the USDA, the airline, IATA, etc.), it’s really a completely different business than long-distance ground shipping. Ground shipping is very hands on, while international pet shipping is more focused on communications, organization, and document compilation. Our company metamorphosed to only offering international pet relocation services. Angela started her own ground shipping company called Aniops, and I continued Feathers and Fur Express as an international pet shipping company.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Our largest hurdle is airline flight changes, cancellations, and policy changes. Cargo schedules are released every 2-4 weeks depending on the airline, and there is always a chance that a common route for pet shipments has been removed from the schedule. For example, as a result of COVID, most airlines halted pet shipments all together. Many airlines have resumed pet shipping with limited flight options, while others still only allow active military member pets to fly. To complicate things a bit further, each airline has a list of breeds they will not ship and a maximum crate size allowed on each aircraft. Fortunately, we are usually able to find a way to move most pets, but the route options can sometimes be a lot more restricted than people expect.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I own an international pet shipping company called Feathers and Fur Express. We currently ship more than 500 pets per year out of the United States to their homes abroad. About 40% of our clients are active military members moving on orders that don’t want to leave their pet’s behind. We also move a lot of pets for foreign nationals, government employees, etc. These pets all fly as cargo, in a portion of the hold that is temperature and pressure controlled. Our company’s primary objective is to make sure the pets arrive at the international destination safely and meet all of the requirements for entry.
What does success mean to you?
My definition of success has changed vastly over the years. I currently define success by how happy I am in life. I know that’s a bit cliché, but what else is there in life besides happiness? Now, what it takes for me to be genuinely happy is a bit more complex. I need my health, love, freedom (in my life choices and schedule), travel, and the funds to allow both latter items. Some days I feel happy/successful, and some days I don’t!
Contact Info:
- Email: info@ffexpresspets.com
- Website: ffexpresspets.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/feathersandfurexpress
- Facebook: facebook.com/FeathersandFurExpress
Image Credits:
All photos were taken by Feathers and Fur Express
