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PCS: Moving the Family Pet

Julie Provost

Moving Your Dog, Cat or Other Pets During PCS

Permanent Change of Station moves can be hard on the whole family. Spouses have to relocate or find new employment, children have to change schools no matter the time of year and the whole family has to make new friends. And if the family has pets, there is an entire process that must be completed before the pet and the family can be together at their next duty station.

Updated DoD Pet Travel Policies and Pet PCS Guidelines

As of Jan. 1, 2024, active-duty service members are offered reimbursement for “costs related to relocation of one household pet due to a permanent change of station move,” according to the Department of Defense. Prior to 2024, the DoD made no provision for helping families move a pet to the next duty location. In 2024, those rules were updated to allow reimbursement of expenses for one cat or dog to PCS within the United States or overseas.

At press time, overseas military communities may also be approved for some reimbursement in cases where “service members’ dependents, DOD civilians, and DOD civilian employees’ dependents…are ordered to evacuate from a foreign duty station ” and must transport and quarantine up to two pets.

According to the Joint Travel Regulations Office, the relocation expense reimbursement for one dog or one cat may include “travel costs within the U.S. or overseas and any other travel requirements.”

Pet Reimbursement Amounts

Moves Outside the US Will Require Quarantine

Making the pet’s transition to a new home as smooth as possible can alleviate some of the stress that the service member and their family may be experiencing. If your pet moves outside the contiguous 48 United States, the pet will go into quarantine.

Depending on the state or country, there is an allotted time that the animal or animals need to be separated or quarantined from animals outside the home to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases to other family pets in the local area or to local wildlife.

With places like Hawaii and Japan said to be virtually rabies-free, it is crucial that the quarantine process is taken seriously.

RELATED: Overseas PCS: Things Not to Forget When PCSing

Organizations to Help with Moving Your Dog or Cat During PCS

Luckily, there are many organizations and nonprofits that want to aid in lowering the costs to prepare and move your family pet.

SPCA International

SPCA International has a program, Operation Military Pets, with the mission to keep families together by providing financial assistance for relocation costs. Starting out with Operation Baghdad Pups, SPCA International has been helping service members bring dogs, cats, and even one donkey back to the United States to keep battle buddies together. They have since branched out to help families keep their pets with them while serving worldwide.

Dogs on Deployment

Dogs on Deployment has the mission of providing vital assistance to military pet owners while they serve our country with honor, courage, and commitment. This program helps families stick together by offering ‘pet chits’ or grants to help families move their best friends even if they are struggling with financial difficulties.

If the pet is not allowed to move or fly due to financial or moving requirements, Dogs on Deployment also has a fostering program. This nonprofit provides military members and their families with different options for helping ensure their pet’s safety and happiness.

 

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