PCSing With Pets Overseas: DoD Policy Changes
In 2024, The Department of Defense implemented updated policies to reduce the financial burden on military members PCSing overseas with their pets.
The policy offers reimbursement for pet transportation expenses. In the past, service members often had to cover these costs out-of-pocket. But with the moves forward, there were also setbacks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tightened regulations on importing dogs into the United States due to rabies concerns. That complicated PCS moves for military families, especially those flying to Europe.
These new CDC regulations require more documentation and health checks for dogs entering the USA from overseas. Pet owners may experience longer wait times, the requirement of additional vet support and possible quarantines depending on the country of origin.
2024: A Tough Year For Military Dog Owners Stationed Overseas
The European airline Lufthansa is a familiar name to military families moving overseas on PCS orders. In 2024, Lufthansa modified its pet air travel policies after briefly switching to a more restrictive model banning dogs from in-cabin travel.
That was motivated by the modified dog import rules issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Those restrictions were due to start in August of 2024 but since the original policy announcement, Lufthansa clarified its policies.
That clarification included mention that “current bookings” (at press time) for dogs would be honored if the pets meet CDC requirements, which were implemented to restrict pet travel over rabies concerns. The Lufthansa issue is just one example of how CDC policy changes have complicated air travel for dog owners.
Local, regional, national, and international airlines all have their own unique policies for dog travel, it’s more important than ever to know the rules before you make plans for your relocation.
CDC Dog Air Travel Policy
Military families traveling with dogs should know CDC travel requirements for bringing dogs in and out of the country as of 1 August 2024, which include but are not limited to the following:
- The dog must have an air waybill from the airline. This includes dogs traveling as hand-carried or excess baggage.
- This is not required if the airline has been granted a waiver but those waivers are subject to expiration. Ask before you travel.
- The dog must “appear healthy.”
- The dog “appears to be at least 6 months of age.”
- The dog must have a microchip.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the following policy is ALSO in effect as of 1 August 2024:
“Airlines must create an air waybill (AWB) for each dog transported to the U.S. If airlines cannot create an AWB, they can request a waiver using the following steps. Unless airlines create AWBs or have a waiver, they cannot transport dogs as hand-carried or excess baggage to the U.S.”
The CDC rules for airlines in this area are important to note as air travel policies are informed by these rules going forward for all passengers, not just military travelers. Airlines must:
- Have a representative present in the federal inspection service area;
- Find CDC-approved accommodation (at a CDC-registered animal care facility [ACF] or other veterinary clinic or kennel if an ACF is not available) for any dog pending admissibility, denied entry, or ill on arrival.
- Dogs may not be left in cargo warehouses for more than 12 hours.
- Submit all veterinary documentation for ill animals to the appropriate CDC Port Health Station;
- Take responsibility for and cover all financial costs associated with the care, housing, and return of dogs abandoned by importers.
Meeting these regulations may take longer than pet owners who have PCSed to and from overseas assignments before may expect. It’s best to start clearing your pet early before PCS travel.
DoD Pet Travel Reimbursement Policy
What do you need to know about DoD pet travel policy updated in 2024 for bringing dogs and cats to an overseas duty station? The DoD will pay a limited amount to cover dog travel expenses related to PCS moves inside the USA and overseas:
- Up to $550 for PCS moves within the continental United States (CONUS).
- Up to $2,000 for PCS moves to or from locations outside the continental United States
- These rules apply to those with PCS orders on or after January 1, 2024.
- The reimbursement rules cover one cat or dog and includes “various expenses, including pet shipping, quarantine fees, and other transportation-related costs.”
- The DoD policy does not cover expenses incurred before January 1, 2024. It is not retroactive.
- Each military branch may have specific guidelines and requirements for reimbursement, so service members are advised to consult their respective branch’s resources for detailed information.
- Military families with pets should factor in the potential for delays and additional expenses due to the CDC’s rabies regulations.
About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.