Shipping Policy

Shipping Preparation and Shipping Delays

All livestock shipments will be sent out earlier in the week. By default, all orders will be sent out on Monday for Tuesday delivery, after placing an order we will send you an email to confirm the ship date (if there is no response we will ship out the following Monday). If needed, we can ship on different days earlier in the week (Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays). Email or contact us directly through the site, and we will assist you. We do not offer overnight shipping on weekends. For all other shipping requests, please contact us directly, as some may affect our DOA (Dead on Arrival) policy.

We primarily ship via FedEx Priority Overnight, though we may use a different delivery service depending on location.

Winter Shipments: During winter, your order will generally be shipped to your closest shipping center (typically a Staples or local FedEx/UPS). We will not ship any livestock if the weather in your city is below -8℃. If you would still like your order shipped under these conditions, this may affect our guarantee. Please contact us with any questions.

When shipping livestock, it takes 24 to 48 hours to prepare the animals for shipment. Depending on when the order is placed, livestock may not be shipped out until the following week.

Top Shelf Animals is not responsible for shipping delays due to factors beyond our control, such as bad weather, road conditions, or issues with the shipping provider.

Please note that all shipping estimates are not guaranteed, as some aspects are out of our control. You will be provided with a tracking number (or airbill number) to follow your package's delivery timeline.

Local Delivery

If you're local, we offer a convenient and cost-effective delivery service! Our drivers can bring your fish right to your door. A minimum order of $35 is required. We deliver to the following areas: 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, Caledonia, Guelph, Kitchener, and Waterloo.

If you live near any of these areas and would like delivery, please reach out, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

Shipping Rates

Depending on order size and location, your shipping rate will be calculated at checkout. If ordering live fish and dry goods supplies at the same time (fish food, filters, etc.), the fish and supplies may be shipped separately. If your order total is over $150, save on fish supplies shipping (fish food, filters, etc.). If something looks off with your shipping quote on the website, feel free to reach out to us directly at TopShelfAnimals@gmail.com for a direct quote. For larger orders or air cargo shipments, please email us.

Rates vary by location. Local delivery can be as low as $30. Shipping livestock on average is $80-$120, depending on order size and location.

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.

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.

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.