We aim to provide our friends and family with the best critters and creatures possible.

Shipping:

Current shipping options offered: USPS, other carriers available upon request

Extreme Weather - Small Box $12.50 + $8.50 + $2.50 per (NO SHRIMP, PODS, SNAILS, or FISH)

Extreme Weather - Flat Rate $25.00 + $8.50 - Ideal for live food cultures and invertebrates

Extreme Weather - Overnight Shipping $65.00- Ideal for live fish

Orders are shipped on Mondays and Tuesdays:

Live Critters require an additional two days of processing time.

Fish, Shrimp, Snails, and Isopods undergo a two-day fasting period to reduce waste and their byproducts during shipping.

If an order containing live critters is placed after midnight on Saturday, it will be shipped out the following week to avoid potential post office delays.

During periods of extreme weather, shipping options and prices will change to reflect the environmental requirements. Packages will be shipped with styrofoam insulation and a +72-hour heat pack or ice pack, depending on conditions.

A box labeled 'Styrofoam Lining & 72hr Heat Pack' with an open lid revealing some styrofoam and packaging materials inside. Several snowflake icons and a snowman illustration decorate the image, indicating a winter or holiday theme.

Extreme Weather  Events may delay shipping times.

Wildfires, Severe Storms, Blizzards, Prolonged Bouts of Freezing Temperatures, Prolonged Bouts of Dangerously High Temperatures, Tornadoes, Hurricanes, etc.

While Extreme Weather  Events are underway, orders will only be shipped on Mondays to account for potential delays. 

(Or on Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday.)

A Note About Processing Times:

Captain’s Critters is a small, independently run operation. (It’s just me!) I am in my final semester of nursing school while managing and caring for all cultures and livestock.

While I do my best to process and ship orders as quickly as possible, there may occasionally be slight delays in order processing or message responses during busy academic periods. I truly appreciate your patience and understanding while I balance school and providing healthy, carefully packed critters.

Live Arrival Guarantee:

At Captain’s Critters, we take great care in selecting, packing, and shipping our live animals to ensure they arrive safely and in good health. However, we understand that shipping live aquatic creatures and invertebrates comes with some risks.

We stand behind our critters and want you to feel confident when ordering from us!

What to Do If Your Critters Arrive Dead:

If any of your critters arrive deceased, please follow these steps:

  1. Take clear photographs. Photograph the deceased critter(s) inside their original, unopened shipping bag or container. Make sure the animals are clearly visible.

  2. Contact us within 2 hours of delivery. Email us your order number, photographs, and a brief description of the issue at CaptainsCritters@gmail.com

  3. Wait for confirmation. We will review your claim and contact you regarding the next steps. If your claim is approved, Captain’s Critters will offer one of the following:

  • Store credit for the purchase price of the deceased critter(s).

  • A replacement critter of the same species, subject to availability.

Conditions for DOA Coverage:

  • Your order must be received on the first delivery attempt.

  • Someone must be available to retrieve the package promptly after delivery.

  • Clear photographs must be submitted within 2 hours of the carrier's recorded delivery time.

  • The critters must remain in their original shipping containers for the initial photographs

What Is Not Covered?

  • Losses reported after the 2-hour claim window.

  • Critters that die after being introduced into an aquarium, terrarium, or other enclosure.

  • Losses resulting from improper acclimation, unsuitable water parameters, or improper care after arrival.

  • Packages left unattended outdoors or exposed to extreme temperatures after delivery.

  • Delivery delays caused by incorrect or incomplete shipping information provided by the customer.

A Note About Live Critters:

Every critter is a living creature, and even with the greatest care, shipping can be stressful. We encourage all customers to research their animals' care requirements and have a properly established habitat ready before delivery.

Our goal is to make sure every critter has the best possible start in its new home.

Thank you for supporting Captain’s Critters and for caring as much about these little lives as we do!

Captain’s Critters reserves the right to review DOA claims individually. This policy does not limit any rights customers may have under applicable consumer protection laws.