Are You Moving with Pets This Summer?
Did you know that sixty-seven percent of U.S. households, or about 85 million families, own a pet, according to the 2019-2020 American Pet Products Association? When you’re preparing for a PCS move, having a pet can add another layer of complexity, particularly if you’re moving overseas. You might not know that OCONUS installations have special pet requirements, and some have quarantine requirements.
Your Information, Referral & Relocation (IR&R) specialist, located in Marine and Family Programs, can provide relocation assistance and resources that can help you and your family move with ease. Plan to attend a PCS workshop and connect with experts who can provide information you need, in order to help assist your move go smoothly.
CONUS: Visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s website to see if there are rules for bringing animals into the state to which you have been assigned https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel
OCONUS: Different nations have different rules and quarantine requirements associated with the relocation of cats, dogs and other types of pets. It is important to plan in advance:
- Many overseas destinations require that pets have microchips with a number that matches the number on the health certificate.
- Check the airline travel requirements for pet crates before buying a crate.
- Some countries may require your pet to be quarantined for an extended amount of time before it can live with you. The cost associated with that quarantine can be pricey. The Department of Defense may reimburse you for up to $550 if you are an active-duty member moving to a country where the quarantine period is mandatory. https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/faqpet.cfm
Information passed during a PCS workshop includes:
- Moving with pets
- PCS budgeting tips
- New travel card regulations
- Household goods allowances
- Spouse employment resources
- OCONUS “Must Know” information
- Connecting to a Sponsor
VIDEO - MARINE MINUTE - PCS WITH PETS
The local IR&R specialist can also connect you with the IR&R specialist at your new installation to further assist you with any installation-specific information you will need before arriving with your pets.
They are happy to answer all your relocation questions, so don’t hesitate to call your installation Information, Referral, and Relocation, program staff.