Shipping Policy

Shipping Preparation and Shipping Delays

Shipping Days:
Orders are primarily shipped earlier in the week (Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday). By default, all orders are shipped on Monday for Tuesday delivery. After placing an order, we will send you an email to confirm the ship date. If no response is received, the order will ship the following Monday. We do not offer overnight shipping on weekends. For other shipping requests, please contact us directly, as they may affect our DOA (Dead on Arrival) policy.

Preparation Time:
All livestock shipments require 24 to 48 hours to prepare for shipment. Depending on when the order is placed, livestock may not be shipped until the following week.

Shipping Carrier:
We primarily ship via FedEx Priority Overnight and UPS Overnight, though we may use a different carrier depending on your location.

Winter Shipments

  • If the nighttime temperature is below -8℃, we will not ship livestock overnight to ensure their safety. Local delivery is still available (see below).
  • During winter, your order will generally be shipped to your closest shipping center (e.g., Staples, FedEx, or UPS).
  • If you request shipping in temperatures below -8℃, this may affect our guarantee. Please contact us with any questions.

Local Delivery
We offer convenient local delivery with a minimum order of $35. Areas we serve include:
Ancaster, Burlington, Dundas, Hamilton Core, Hamilton Mountain, Oakville, Milton, Stoney Creek/East Hamilton, East Hamilton Mountain, Waterdown, Brampton, Concord, Etobicoke, Markham, Mississauga West, Mississauga East, North York, Rexdale, Scarborough, Thornhill, Toronto, Vaughan, Woodbridge, Grimsby, Beamsville, Brantford, Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener, and Waterloo.
For other locations nearby, please reach out—we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

Delivery Fee:
$20–$35, depending on the area.

300$ orders and up get FREE Local Delivery! 

Shipping Rates
Shipping rates vary based on order size and location:

  • Local delivery: Starts at $20–$35 depending on location.
  • Livestock shipping: Typically ranges between $70–$90, but may be higher for large or heavy orders. Please contact us directly for a quote on larger shipments.
    If ordering both live fish and supplies, items may ship separately. If your order total exceeds $150, you’ll save on supplies shipping. If you notice discrepancies in your shipping quote, contact us directly at TopShelfAnimals@gmail.com.
    For large orders or air cargo shipments, please email us.

DOA Policy
There is always a risk that the animal may not survive during transit. We take every necessary precaution to prevent such losses. Once the package is delivered, please open the box and inspect the fish in the bag right away.

  • If the animal has not survived, DO NOT OPEN THE BAG; please contact us immediately by providing a picture and a 5-second video of the animal still in the SEALED BAG. We will issue a refund.
  • YOU HAVE 3 HOURS TO CONTACT US about any issues after the package is delivered or picked up. After 3 hours, we cannot guarantee the condition of the animal, as it may have been sitting too long and caused its demise.
  • The estimated arrival time of the animal will be provided, so please ensure you will be there to receive the livestock and unbox it as soon as possible.
  • Top Shelf Animals is not responsible if you are not there to receive the package on time.

ONCE THE BAG HAS BEEN OPENED, we cannot offer any refund if the animal has not survived. This is because we must assume that you have the knowledge to properly acclimate the fish (we do provide a fish acclimation guide). We also have extensive care information on our website, and as always, if you have any care questions, feel free to call or contact us directly. Please do all preparation and research before purchasing any animal online.

If a DOA claim is accepted, a 100% refund/credit on livestock (including taxes) will be issued. The shipping cost will not be refunded. In the unlikely event that DOA losses constitute 50% of the order total, 50% of the shipping cost will be refunded.

Shipping Costs
Top Shelf Animals does not cover any shipping costs or handling fees. All shipping costs will be estimated once you have provided your information. If a DOA occurs (please read the DOA policy) and the claim is accepted, shipping costs will not be refunded. In the unlikely event that DOA losses constitute 50% of the order total, 50% of the shipping cost will be refunded.
We strive to minimize losses during shipping. Our top goal is to ensure the safety of all animals in our care.
We want your experience with Top Shelf Animals to be a positive one, and our goal is to build a relationship you can count on as fellow fish hobby enthusiasts.

Returns: Livestock and Supplies
We do not accept returns on any livestock or supplies once they have been purchased. It is the buyer's responsibility to care for the animals and products after purchase.
If you find that you are no longer able to care for your livestock, we strongly encourage you to seek responsible rehoming options. Please do not release any purchased animals into the wild, as this can be harmful to local ecosystems. We recommend contacting your local fish store or aquarium club to find a suitable new home for your fish.
For more info about our returns, check out our full Return Policy.

Rehoming Assistance
If you need assistance in rehoming your fish, feel free to reach out to us, and we may be able to connect you with local resources or individuals interested in adopting.

Guarantee on Livestock

At Top Shelf Animals, only animals of the highest quality and health will be sold. Our facility is meticulously cleaned, and all animals go through quarantine when entering the premises. Additionally, I have taken training with aquatic fish vet Dr. Loh and completed a course to ensure the health and well-being of the fish we sell.

We will not knowingly ship any unhealthy animals.

As outlined in our DOA policy, we only guarantee the life of the animal while it is still in its shipping bag (within 3 hours of delivery). Once the bag is opened, Top Shelf Animals is not responsible for any loss, as the animal is now in your care.

Thank You
We at Top Shelf Animals thank you for understanding our Shipping and DOA policies. We also want to thank you for purchasing from us, and we look forward to hearing from you again. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.