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Moving: Pets

Stateside. Service members must move pets at their own expense, although the cost is tax deductible.

Most states have laws governing the entry of animals. Most require up-to-date rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats and interstate health certificates for dogs and horses. Some states inspect all animals crossing state lines.

Overseas. For a fee, the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command allows service members on a permanent change-of-station move between the U.S. and a foreign country to transport up to two dogs and/or cats in the cargo compartment of military aircraft. Waivers are required to transport more than two pets.

Pet(s) and carrier(s) must not weigh more than 99 pounds; otherwise, private shipping arrangements must be made. Pet carriers must be approved by the International Air Transport Association.

Pets and carriers weighing less than 70 pounds will be charged as one piece; those weighing 71 to 99 pounds (or 100 pounds or more on a return trip to the U.S.) will be charged as two pieces. Fees depend on the distance traveled and the animal’s weight. See local transportation office for details on routes, charges and other limits.

Confirm your reservation as far in advance as possible. You must present a rabies vaccination certificate (DD Form 2208) or its civilian equivalent, or veterinary health certificate (DD Form 2209) at your transportation office. It is your responsibility to meet all documentation, immunization and other requirements of the destination country.

There are three ways to ship a pet on commercial airlines:

å In the baggage compartment. An excess baggage rate may be charged, even if you have no other luggage.

å In the passenger cabin. This is for very small pets, if airline policy permits and the pet is in a secure carrier that can be tucked under a seat.

å As freight in a cargo plane. Cargo holds on these planes do not always have heat and air conditioning, so this method is the riskiest for your pet. Check with the airline before agreeing to this type of shipment.

Some airlines restrict carrying pets during extremely hot or cold months, which could endanger the animals. Some have tracking systems so you know where your pet is at all times.

Another option is to use pet shipping companies.

Contact: Pet Air Inc., http://www .flypets.com, Animal Port Houston animal transit station, http://www.pet transport.com; Jet-a-Pet pet relocation, http://www.jet-a-pet.com

Quarantine. Pet arrangements can be complicated for service members transferring overseas. The earlier you start the process, the more likely you can avoid pet quarantine.

Many nations have quarantines of from two weeks to six months. For specific information, see DoD Foreign Clearance Guide (DoD 4500.54-G).

Hawaii’s 5-Day-or-Less Program allows owners to reduce the number of days a pet spends in quarantine by following procedures on a checklist. If the pet meets all the requirements, it may be released directly, or after five days, to the owner. If the requirements are not met, the pet may be quarantined for up to 120 days.

Japan has gotten stricter about pet importation. Pet owners must follow a strict regimen for their pets that includes getting a microchip, two rabies vaccinations and blood tests for rabies antibodies after 180 days.

Base transportation offices, U.S. Embassies and Humane Society offices also have information on foreign nations’ pet entrance requirements. Check the Defense Department’s Military Homefront Web site for information on specific pet restrictions at any installation.

The Defense Department will pay up to $550 to help defray costs of quarantining pets.

Contact: Hawaii’s Agricultural Gateway, (808) 483-7151; http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ ai/aqs/info; Japan District Veterinary Command, http://www.usarj.army .mil/organization/vet/import.aspx; http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil