My hub is difficult too. I did the same thing and just dropped it off without mentioning anything. My account reflects that I'm certified so I'm sure they can look that up if they hear some movement in the box or something (very unlikely) . I think the boxes do get treated with more care if they say live animal inside. The girl who took my box flipped it in the air as she walked to put it in the outgoing section. I had to get her attention and tell her "Do you not see the big red letters that say perishable and fragile and the arrows pointing UP" ..... I swear some of these employees just don't give a crap.