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<\/p>\nPets have a powerful impact on families because they offer unconditional love. But that impact is significantly amplified in military families and active service members. Pets in the military are popular due to the emotional support they can provide.<\/p>\n
For that reason, it\u2019s natural to want to take your pet with you when the military relocates you to a new state or country. It\u2019s even more important to do it as an active service member who deploys overseas a lot and leaves their spouse and kids alone for long periods.<\/p>\n
But how does PCSing with pets work, and how much help do you need? Adding a pet to the equation makes every relocation more difficult. That doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s impossible.<\/p>\n
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There are a couple of things that involve PCSing with pets in the military. Every pet must travel with a rabies vaccine certificate. This applies to domestic and overseas PCSing with cats, dogs, and other pets. You can get the certificate from on-base and off-base vets.<\/p>\n
It doesn\u2019t matter what vet you choose, except that an on-base vet clinic might offer discounted services and treatments.<\/p>\n
Although this sounds simple enough, it\u2019s not. The age of your pet matters a lot. For example, animals receiving their first rabies vaccine need 28 days before it takes effect. That means you can\u2019t relocate with that pet until the 29th day.<\/p>\n
In addition to the rabies vaccine certificate, a 10-day health certificate is necessary when traveling with pets. Keep in mind that not all veterinarians have the authority to issue these certificates. Therefore, it\u2019s best to make an appointment with a Veterinary Corps officer. If you get your orders during the summer, PCSing with Army pets can be difficult.<\/p>\n
Summer is the peak season for PCSing, and many on-base vet clinics are busy.<\/p>\n
Another document you need is an acclimation letter. Any on-base vet can give you one. The letter states how your pet will travel \u2013 cargo or cabin.<\/p>\n
These papers cover pretty much everything for PCSing with pets in the military. But not everyone is lucky enough to get a domestic relocation. International moves can have additional requirements you and your pet must satisfy.<\/p>\n
When moving overseas with pets, military personnel must research the country of destination. Every country in the world is free to enforce whatever rules and regulations they want for pet travelers. Having a rabies vaccine might only scratch the surface of certifications and paperwork.<\/p>\n
For example, some countries may ask for FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization) testing for the rabies virus. Others may require specific parasite examinations, proof of treatments against fleas and ticks, and a whole battery of tests. These can take time, especially during a busy PCSing season.<\/p>\n
Therefore, taking care of your pet\u2019s travel requirements first and foremost is an excellent thought.<\/p>\n
If you want to find out what tests or vaccines your pet needs to travel to any country, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service<\/a> website offers plenty of information.<\/p>\n Taking military pets overseas or even to a new domestic military base can be taxing on people and their animals. Not all pets handle long trips well and having a sociable and calm pet will make the relocation less stressful.<\/p>\n Training your pet is a good idea. Of course, you should do this as soon as you get your pet. The longer they have to acclimate to moving crates, the easier it will be when you relocate. Crate training is crucial, especially for Army pets that are more likely to move.<\/p>\n If you have time, you can work with a trainer. If not, taking a few short trips with your pet before relocating is one way to get them accustomed to a specific transport method. Even a couple of rides around town will benefit pets and owners.<\/p>\n In addition, training your pets for PCSing will help you see if they suffer from motion sickness. If that\u2019s the case, your pet may need additional treatments and veterinary care before your relocation.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re PCSing domestically, chances are you might ship your household goods, appliances, personal items, and furniture with experienced military movers<\/a>. But you and your family might travel by car and take your pet with you.<\/p>\n If the journey is long, you\u2019ll probably need to make a few stops and rest. But not all hotels and motels are friendly to pets. Finding pet-friendly lodging ahead of time is important because you can\u2019t leave pets overnight in your car.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re traveling abroad, pet lodging might also be necessary. Some relocations won\u2019t involve you going directly from the airport or dock to your new home. It\u2019s best to find a place where you can spend one or two nights with your pet. Remember that air travel will inconvenience your pet. Thus, you\u2019ll want to move them quickly to a friendly environment before completing your relocation.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re PCSing and carrying your pet by car, you will need extra supplies on hand. Food, water, toys, blankets, a leash, and other items are necessary whether traveling with dogs or cats.<\/p>\n A leash is arguably essential because your pet will need to stretch after a while, the same as you. Therefore, you don\u2019t want to risk your pet running away in a foreign environment.<\/p>\n If driving, consider keeping the heat low in the car. While dogs are quite flexible, cats can easily overheat on long trips in the car, especially in the summer.<\/p>\n PCSing with Navy, Air Force, or Army pets isn\u2019t always cheap<\/a>. You may get some reimbursement from your branch when relocating due to orders. However, the amount won\u2019t always cover all transportation needs, veterinary treatments, documentation, etc.<\/p>\n Moreover, the military might only help you relocate with one pet. But even that\u2019s not a given. If you have more than one pet, you should prepare to support all the costs yourself.<\/p>\n If you anticipate your orders may come through in the immediate future, start planning sooner rather than later. Put money aside for your pet\u2019s expenses, especially when PCSing overseas.<\/p>\n It can cost a lot to get all the paperwork ready, pay for specific treatments, and potentially cover quarantine costs. Owners almost always need to support all costs associated with examinations and quarantine accommodations for their pets.<\/p>\n While you can\u2019t keep pets in the barracks, there are few restrictions for military personnel living on a base campus or in private homes. A wide range of pets is allowed in military homes, with each base having some latitude for setting specific rules.<\/p>\n Pet owners must be prepared to walk their dogs on leashes at all times or adopt only specific breeds while living on the base. The information you need regarding pet housing on a particular base should be available at the information office.<\/p>\n However, it\u2019s worth noting that many military bases impose a two-pet limit per military household. Therefore, you PCSing with more than two pets can be challenging when relocating to specific bases.<\/p>\n Any member of the U.S. Air Force can own pets while living on the base. Naturally, owning a pet on the base requires following various rules and regulations. For instance, the Air Force doesn\u2019t allow livestock and swine as pets. Rabbits are also tricky to accommodate but not illegal.<\/p>\n The most important thing to remember is that pet owners are deemed responsible for the actions of their animals on the base. Usually, pets are free to roam around unleashed in the yard or enclosures. But talking them out for a walk around the base requires owners to leash their pets.<\/p>\n These are typical civilian rules regarding pets. Some bases may have special rules about what breeds Airmen can own, how to house them, and how to walk them safely around the base.<\/p>\n Navy installations generally allow up to two dogs or two cats per military base household. In some cases, certain breeds are prohibited from living on base.<\/p>\n Other restrictions could apply to the animal\u2019s size. For example, pets over 70 pounds are unlikely to be welcomed on Navy bases.<\/p>\n Of course, you can\u2019t have pets while going through boot camp, special training, living in the barracks, or serving on a ship. Seamen may also encounter difficulties housing pets at Navy Lodges. Therefore, getting as much information as possible when PCSing with pets in the Navy is important to ensure you won\u2019t get separated from your animal during the relocation.<\/p>\n Pet owners serving in the military get substantial help when PCSing domestically and internationally. Unfortunately, the reimbursement only assists with shipping costs and sometimes spouse and family relocations. You will not receive military pet travel reimbursement.<\/p>\n When a military family has pets, PCSing costs hundreds if not thousands of dollars more than normal due to the technical and logistical difficulties of moving pets. The military does very little to accommodate those who serve with pets in the military.<\/p>\n Usually, no military branch covers pet PCSing, not even partially. Of course, there could be exceptions regarding rank, the importance of an officer, etc. But no military branch has an obligation to assist with pet PCSing.<\/p>\n What does this mean for military families?<\/p>\n When moving overseas with pets, military channels are unlikely to assist. But they do offer military animal shelters for Army pets, Navy pets, and Air Force pets. They\u2019re often located close to the bases.<\/p>\n The shelters can help provide temporary lodging for animals until their owners can retrieve or return home. It\u2019s not much, but it\u2019s something.<\/p>\nTrain Your Pet<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nLocate Pet-Friendly Lodging on Your Route<\/h2>\n
Prepare Appropriately for Travel<\/h2>\n
Set Money Aside<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nMore Questions Answered<\/h2>\n
Can You Have Pets in the Military?<\/h3>\n
Can You Have Pets in the Air Force?<\/h3>\n
Can You Have Pets in the Navy?<\/h3>\n
Does Military Pay to Ship Pets?<\/h3>\n
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