The people behind every journey

Meet the small team trusted with the whole trip.

Every journey we accept is personally planned and handled by Monica, Gabe or Natascha—professionals with extensive experience in animal welfare, sheltering, veterinary care and complex pet travel. No contractor networks. No anonymous handoffs. Just one trusted team caring for your pet from the first plan through reunion.

Meet Us How We Work

Monica Tarant speaking at an animal-welfare conference

Monica TarantAnimal-welfare leadership

Gabe DowneyPet relocation and escort

Natascha HammanVet Tech

One connected teamNo contractor network

Why we exist

Pet travel needed an animal-welfare-first alternative.

Cabin Companions began with a simple conviction: a pet should never be treated like a shipment. After decades working in animal sheltering and welfare, we’d seen first-hand what can happen when convenience and logistics are allowed to come before an animal’s individual needs.

We created a different kind of pet transportation company—one that plans every journey around the pet, minimizes stress wherever possible and keeps responsibility with experienced animal-welfare professionals from beginning to end. Because getting a pet there is only part of the job. How they are cared for along the way matters just as much.

One exceptional team

Different expertise. One standard of care.

Our size is intentional. Every journey has one clearly identified professional responsible from planning through reunion—never an anonymous contractor or a chain of handoffs. Monica, Gabe and Natascha plan together and remain connected throughout, so the person traveling with your pet can make informed decisions with the knowledge of the whole team behind them. That gives every journey the personal attention, sound judgment and continuity it deserves.

Meet Monica

Three decades of animal-welfare leadership behind every journey.

For more than 30 years, Monica Tarant has been a nationally recognized leader in animal welfare, feline sheltering and compassionate relocation.

Her career has included developing innovative sheltering programs, overseeing large-scale animal relocations, educating professionals and consulting with organizations across the country. Along the way, she has helped shape practices that continue to influence animal-welfare organizations nationwide.

Having overseen the care and relocation of thousands of animals, Monica brings a depth of experience few pet transportation companies can match. Today, that experience shapes how Cabin Companions plans every journey, responds to each pet’s individual needs and defines responsible care from beginning to end.

Co-founder & pet travel expert

Gabe Downey

A pet travel expert who personally plans and escorts complex domestic and international journeys. Gabe combines hands-on travel experience with a background in animal sheltering, logistics and client communication to keep families informed and pets carefully supported from plan through reunion.

Vet Tech

Natascha Hamman

Brings veterinary experience and calm, attentive handling to anxious, senior, medically sensitive and special-needs pets. Her specialized knowledge helps the team prepare thoughtful care plans and support each pet throughout travel.

A small team, by design

One Cabin Companion, backed by a one-of-a-kind team.

From our first conversation through the moment your pet is safely reunited with family, the people you meet from Cabin Companions are the exact people who will be traveling with your pet and planning their journey.

Before travel

Customized travel prep.

We identify the best route, carrier and transportation options for your pet, then help with medication planning and paperwork preparation to make the journey as smooth as possible.

During travel

One familiar professional.

One or more dedicated Cabin Companions cares for your pet throughout the journey, supported by the experience of our entire team.

After arrival

Reunion, handled with care.

We remain with your pet until they are safely reunited and settled with you, your family or the person you’ve chosen to receive them.

Monica with a pet carrier at the airport

The standard behind every journey

Personal care, backed by professional safeguards.

Every journey is supported by USDA registration, $1.5 million in insurance coverage, Red Cross pet first-aid certification and 24/7 veterinary access—along with the preparation, direct communication and individualized care your pet deserves.

See Our Standards of Care