Feature: Trips

Trips are a new earning opportunity that lets qualified drivers transport multiple puppies along a scheduled route from one of our trusted partners. Unlike traditional single shipments, Trips include multiple coordinated pickups and deliveries along a planned path for a set payout, offering higher earnings and predictable scheduling.

This guide walks you through how Trips work, how drivers qualify, how to apply, and what you can expect once you’re selected.

What are Trips?

Trips are multi-stop transport assignments created together with our partner organizations. 
Instead of bidding on individual transports, Trips allow drivers to complete multiple pickups and deliveries along a planned route, all under one assignment with a fixed payout. This feature is designed to improve efficiency, provide predictable routes, and offer higher total earnings than transporting single pets separately.

Unlike single shipments, Trips are not part of the regular bidding system, therefore, drivers are only able to apply but not submit a quote. The listed rate is final, and drivers applying are expected to accept the posted payout as-is.

Trips have limited flexibility regarding the pickup and delivery dates, though at the operating team’s discretion, they may be negotiated, allowing for a day or two of flexibility at most. The specific pickup dates are clearly stated in the Trip details, not allowing for much negotiation by the drivers.

Once a trip is assigned to a driver, CitizenShipper handles communication with the partner and manages payout. The driver handles the communication with the party on the sending and receiving end to keep them up to date on their arrival time. 

Drivers should not request payment directly from the buyer; all payments are issued by CitizenShipper through the Secure Payments Program.

How to Qualify?

Trips are available only to eligible drivers. Our operations team will reach out to prequalified drivers to request a video walkthrough of their vehicle and equipment setup, along with a short questionnaire to help assess how well they meet the requirements of the program. Drivers will also need to confirm acceptance of the standard operating procedures before being considered. Once submitted, our partner will review the materials and determine whether the driver should be added to the approved cohort.

Drivers who have qualified will automatically see the Trips tab in the app and receive notifications when a new trip matches their route and category preferences.

If you don’t see Trips yet, continue completing successful transports, as eligibility may be granted over time.

Preference will be given to drivers who have:

• A strong track record on CitizenShipper
• Good communication history
• Consistent delivery success and reliability metrics
• High standards of hygiene and security for the transported pets

Applying for a Trip

Once you see a trip that fits your schedule, tap Apply. After applying, the trip will move into the Applied tab until the operations team reviews candidates. Communication will be handled directly via email or text if additional details are needed. Typically, selected drivers will be notified of the outcome within 48 hours of applying. However, more or less time may be required depending on the specific Trip.

The driver’s schedule and whether the posted pickup and delivery dates align with their availability are taken into account when selecting the winning driver. Drivers who are able to begin the trip the soonest or meet the exact listed pickup dates typically have a higher chance of being selected.

If selected, we’ll notify you, and the trip’s status will be updated to Booked. If you’re not selected, the trip will disappear from your Applied list, but you will remain eligible for other opportunities.

Once a driver is selected, the Trip becomes unavailable to other applicants and is removed from the available list.

How the Trip Works if Your Application Is Accepted

If you're chosen for a trip, it will appear under the Booked section of the Trips tab, and you’ll gain access to:

• Full route details
• Pickup and delivery details for each stop
• Contact information for breeders and buyers
• Requirements and proof submission tools

Before starting the trip, make sure you have a separate non-collapsible crate for every dog and a reliable GPS-enabled phone (required for proof submissions).

During the route, you’ll follow each stop in sequence. For every dog, you must take a photo at pickup and delivery, and submit them for confirmation through the platform. Pickup proof must be submitted before delivery proof becomes available.
 

Please remember:

• The breeder provides the dog food.
• You are responsible for providing all crates.
• Ensure all pets remain safe, clean, and secure in non-collapsible crates.
• Photos are required at both pickup and delivery for every dog. Pickup photo should include the puppy with the breeder, while the delivery photo should include the puppy with the buyer. These must be uploaded as you complete each stop. In case the breeder or buyer do not wish to be in the photo, it is acceptable to upload a picture of the puppy itself at the pickup/delivery location.
• Drivers should have the option to share their location before confirming pickup or delivery and uploading photos. The driver's location services should be enabled when doing so. Once the driver selects the pickup or delivery information in their Trip, they can see that option. 
  • How to enable GPS may differ based on the type of device you are using, but generally, you can search for the 'Location' option under your Settings menu. Some phones may show 'Location services' or 'Location access' instead. Tap the 'Location' on to enable your phone's GPS.

Puppy Health Protocol

If at any point, a puppy appears injured, seems distressed or unfit to travel, shows signs of illness (lethargy, refusing food/water) - Do not proceed.

Contact CitizenShipper immediately to receive instructions. You may be directed to delay pickup or visit a vet depending on the situation.

The Payout Process

Payment for Trips is handled securely through CitizenShipper’s Secure Payments Program, and is issued only after the final delivery is confirmed. Once all deliveries are made and photos verified, our team initiates payout. Funds typically arrive within 2–5 business days.
 

Payouts in case of cancellations

Standard cancellation policy guidelines do not apply to Trips.

If the whole trip is canceled within 24 hours of the scheduled pickup, the driver is owed a $150 cancellation fee. However, if one order in a multi-stop Trip is canceled, no cancellation fee applies, and a new adjusted payout is negotiated. Additionally, no cancellation fee applies in case a Trip is cancelled more than 24 hours prior to pickup.