What would you do in my situation?

[wilomn]

I tried this and called UPS and was told that once they have a packages sent out on a service level they don't have a procedure in place to upgrade or downgrade the shipping method. So all I can do now is hope they're ok and arrive safe. I will be video taping my opening the box when it gets here on Tuesday.

If you didn't talk to a supervisor, do so now. Explain that the kid sent live animals ground and that they'll be dead when they get there if nothing is done.

Don't talk to a flunky, they have no pull.