A trusted pet travel team of specialists dedicated to safe, personalized journeys for cats and dogs
When you trust Cabin Companions with your pet, you’re placing them in the care of experienced professionals who personally oversee every step of the journey.
Every trip is carefully planned and personally carried out by our team—never handed off—so your pet travels safely, comfortably, and with the same care we would give our own.
With decades of combined experience in animal welfare, veterinary medicine, and hands-on transport, we bring a level of expertise and attention that sets us apart.
With the addition of Natascha, a Fear Free Certified veterinary technician specializing in feline care, our team now brings veterinary-level insight and advanced handling expertise directly into every journey.
Meet the Team Behind Your Pet’s Journey
Monica Tarant
Co-Founder | Animal Welfare Leader | Pet Relocation Expert
Monica brings over 30 years of experience in animal welfare and is widely recognized as one of the leading voices in cat sheltering and relocation in the United States. She has overseen the safe movement of tens of thousands of animals nationwide and internationally, helping shape best practices for transport, intake, and humane care at scale.
Her expertise spans feline behavior, population management, and complex relocation logistics—making her uniquely qualified to design safe, thoughtful travel plans for pets in a wide range of situations. She is also Fear Free Certified, reflecting her commitment to minimizing stress and prioritizing each animal’s emotional well-being throughout the journey.
Throughout her career, Monica has worked with shelters, organizations, and communities across the country, speaking, training, and advising on how to improve outcomes for animals. That same level of experience and care is brought directly into every Cabin Companions journey.
At her core, Monica believes that every animal deserves to feel safe, respected, and cared for—especially during times of change. That belief is the foundation of everything we do.
Gabe Downey
Co-Founder | Pet Travel Coordinator | Ground & Flight Escort
Gabe works directly with every client to plan and coordinate each journey from start to finish, ensuring every detail is handled with clarity, responsiveness, and care. From initial consultation through delivery, he serves as your primary point of contact and a steady, reliable presence throughout the process.
Before co-founding Cabin Companions, Gabe worked in animal welfare, including at a humane society, and trained a Leader Dog for the Blind—an experience that reflects his patience, discipline, and deep understanding of animal behavior. That background continues to shape how he approaches every trip, with a focus on each pet’s comfort, safety, and individual needs.
As a hands-on escort, Gabe has personally traveled thousands of miles with pets across the country and internationally, navigating everything from cross-country relocations to complex, multi-leg journeys. He provides real-time updates, direct communication, and thoughtful oversight every step of the way.
He understands that for many families, this isn’t just logistics—it’s emotional. His goal is always to make the process feel calm, supported, and completely transparent from beginning to end.
Natascha Hamman
Veterinary Technician | Feline Specialist | Fear Free Certified
Natascha is an Elite Fear Free Certified veterinary professional with nearly a decade of experience as a veterinary technician, specializing in helping animals feel safe and calm—especially in stressful situations like travel. She is experienced in working with both routine and medically complex cases.
She currently works at a feline-only specialty veterinary practice, where she focuses exclusively on cat care and behavior, and has expanded her experience internationally through work with cat shelters across the UK and Ireland.
With her veterinary background and Fear Free certification, Natascha brings an added layer of expertise to our team—helping ensure each pet is handled with care, patience, and a deep understanding of their needs.
Ready to plan your pet’s journey with a team you can trust?
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Why Families Trust Cabin Companions
When entrusting your furry friend to a pet transport service, experience and dedication make all the difference. Our experienced pet transport team provides a level of personalized care that typical pet shipping companies simply cannot match. Here’s what sets Cabin Companions apart in providing safe, stress-free travel for your pet:
Never Outsourced
Your pet travels with a dedicated member of our team from start to finish—never handed off or outsourced.
Cat & Behavior Expertise
We bring unparalleled experience in feline handling, behavior, and stress reduction—offering a level of expertise you won’t find with traditional pet transport services.
Private, Personalized Travel
No shared rides, no cargo-style handling, no shortcuts. Every journey is built specifically for your pet.
Direct Access to Your Pet’s Escort
You’ll have direct access to us throughout the journey, with regular updates and complete transparency.
Fully Certified & Insured
USDA registered, fully insured, and experienced in even complex travel situations.
Calm, Safety-First Handling
From giant-breed dogs to shy senior cats, every decision we make is centered on your pet’s comfort and well-being.
Every journey is handled personally by our team—from pickup to delivery—so you always know exactly who is caring for your pet.
