Moving Pets During PCS: Complete Guide to Pet Relocation (CONUS & OCONUS)

Bottom Line Up Front: PCS with pets requires planning 3-6 months ahead (especially for OCONUS/Hawaii). Costs: $200-$500 CONUS, $2,000-$5,000 OCONUS per pet. Get health certificate (<10 days before travel), update rabies vaccine, microchip required for most locations. Airlines charge $125-$200 in-cabin (small pets), $200-$500 cargo (large dogs). OCONUS destinations require quarantine (UK: 0 days if compliant, Hawaii: 0-120 days, Japan: 0-180 days). Use pet shipping companies for complex moves ($3,000-$6,000 but handles everything).

PCS Pet Costs (What to Budget)

CONUS PCS Costs

Small dog/cat (in-cabin flight):

• Airline fee: $125-$200 per pet
• Health certificate: $50-$150 (vet visit)
• Carrier (if needed): $40-$100
• Total: $215-$450

Large dog (cargo):

• Airline cargo fee: $200-$500 per pet
• USDA-approved crate: $100-$300
• Health certificate: $50-$150
• Total: $350-$950

Driving (cross-country):

• Pet-friendly hotels: $20-$50/night × 3-4 nights = $60-$200
• Extra food/water: $20-$50
• Vet check before travel: $50-$100
• Total: $130-$350

OCONUS PCS Costs

Standard international (Europe, Korea, Japan):

• Pet shipping company: $3,000-$6,000 per pet
• OR DIY: $1,500-$3,000 (you handle all paperwork/booking)
• Microchip: $45-$75 (if not already done)
• Rabies titer test: $200-$300 (required for some countries)
• Health certificates: $150-$300
• Import permit: $50-$200
• Quarantine (if required): $0-$3,000
• Total DIY: $2,000-$4,000 per pet
• Total with shipper: $3,000-$6,000 per pet

Hawaii (treated like OCONUS):

• "Direct Airport Release" (5-day-or-less program): $1,000-$2,000
• Full quarantine (120 days): $1,080 ($14/day × 120 = $1,680)
• Most use 5-day program: $1,000-$2,000

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Timeline for PCS with Pets

CONUS PCS Timeline

90 Days Before:

• ✅ Verify pet-friendly housing at new base
• ✅ Research airline pet policies (each airline different)
• ✅ Check state requirements (some states require additional vaccines)

30 Days Before:

• ✅ Vet visit: Update vaccines, get health check
• ✅ Book airline tickets (you + pet on same flight if possible)
• ✅ Buy airline-approved carrier/crate

10 Days Before:

• ✅ Get health certificate (must be within 10 days of travel)
• ✅ Acclimate pet to carrier (practice at home)

Day of Travel:

• ✅ Don't feed 4 hours before flight (prevents airsickness)
• ✅ Water available until 2 hours before flight
• ✅ Arrive airport 3 hours early (allow time for pet check-in)

OCONUS PCS Timeline

6 Months Before (Critical!):

• ✅ Check destination country requirements (USDA APHIS website)
• ✅ Get microchip (ISO 11784/11785 compliant - specific type required!)
• ✅ Update rabies vaccine (must be AFTER microchip)

4 Months Before:

• ✅ Rabies titer test (if required by country - 30-day wait for results)
• ✅ Apply for import permit (if required)

60 Days Before:

• ✅ Book pet shipping company OR arrange airline cargo
• ✅ Get USDA-approved crate (specific size requirements)

30 Days Before:

• ✅ Vet visits: Internal/external parasite treatments (some countries require)
• ✅ Additional vaccines (if required by country)

10 Days Before:

• ✅ Get health certificate from USDA-accredited vet
• ✅ Get USDA endorsement (take health cert to USDA office for stamp)

Day of Travel:

• ✅ Final vet check (some countries require within 48 hours)
• ✅ Arrive airport 4-5 hours early (international pet travel)

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Airline Pet Policies (2025)

In-Cabin Pet Policies (Small Pets Only)

Size limits (typical):

• Carrier dimensions: 18" L × 11" W × 11" H (fits under seat)
• Pet + carrier weight: <20 lbs

Airlines allowing in-cabin:

• American Airlines: $125 each way, max 7 pets per flight
• Delta: $125 each way (domestic), $200 (international)
• United: $125 each way
• Alaska Airlines: $100 each way

NOT allowed in-cabin:

• Southwest (no pet cargo either, service animals only)

Cargo Pet Policies (Large Dogs)

Requirements:

• USDA-approved hard-sided crate
• "Live Animal" stickers
• Food/water dishes attached
• Temperature restrictions (not too hot/cold)

Airlines with pet cargo:

• American Airlines: $200-$500 depending on route
• Delta: Suspended cargo pets (stopped in 2016)
• United PetSafe: $400-$600 (domestic), $1,000+ (international)
• Alaska Airlines: $100-$200 (domestic only)

Breed restrictions (most airlines ban):

• ❌ Brachycephalic breeds (Pugs, Bulldogs, Shih Tzus) - breathing issues
• ❌ Pit Bulls, Rottweilers (breed-specific bans)

Alternative: Pet shipping companies (Delta/United discontinued some services, shippers fill gap)

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OCONUS Destinations & Requirements

Japan

Requirements:

• Microchip (ISO compliant)
• Rabies vaccines: 2 doses (30+ days apart, 2nd dose >30 days before arrival)
• Rabies titer test (wait 180 days from test date to arrival for quarantine exemption)
• Health certificate (within 10 days)
• Import notification (40 days before arrival)

Quarantine:

• If all requirements met: 12 hours (at airport)
• If not compliant: Up to 180 days ($3,000+)

Cost: $2,500-$5,000 (with pet shipper)

United Kingdom

Requirements:

• Microchip (ISO compliant)
• Rabies vaccine (21+ days after microchip)
• Rabies titer test (not required from USA anymore as of 2021!)
• Health certificate
• Tapeworm treatment (dogs only, 1-5 days before arrival)

Quarantine:

• If compliant: 0 days (no quarantine!)
• If not compliant: Not allowed entry (strict)

Cost: $3,000-$6,000

South Korea

Requirements:

• Microchip
• Rabies vaccine
• Rabies titer test (wait 180 days for quarantine exemption)
• Health certificate
• Import permit

Quarantine:

• If compliant: 0 days
• If not: Up to 180 days

Cost: $3,000-$5,500

Germany (Europe)

Requirements:

• Microchip
• Rabies vaccine
• EU health certificate
• Tapeworm treatment (dogs, within 5 days)

Quarantine: 0 days (USA pets pre-approved)

Cost: $2,500-$4,500

Hawaii (Treated as OCONUS)

5-Day-or-Less Program (Most Common):

Requirements:

• Microchip (ISO compliant)
• 2 rabies vaccines (>30 days apart)
• Rabies titer test (wait 120 days from test to arrival)
• Health certificate
• Application submitted 10+ days before arrival

Quarantine:

• If all steps perfect: 0 days (direct release)
• Minor issues: 5 days ($60/day = $300)
• Not compliant: 120 days ($1,680)

Cost: $1,000-$2,000 (if DIY, all requirements met)

Critical: Hawaii is STRICTEST. One missed step = full 120-day quarantine.

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Pet Shipping Companies (Worth It for OCONUS?)

What Pet Shippers Do

Full service:

• ✅ Navigate destination country requirements
• ✅ Book flights (cargo or passenger airline)
• ✅ Arrange veterinary appointments
• ✅ Handle all paperwork (health certificates, USDA endorsements, permits)
• ✅ Provide USDA-approved crate
• ✅ Ground transportation (door-to-door)
• ✅ Clear customs
• ✅ Quarantine coordination (if required)

You just: Provide pet, pay invoice

Top Military Pet Shipping Companies

1. PetRelocation

• Cost: $3,500-$6,000 per pet
• Rating: 4.8/5
• Military discount: 10%
• Best for: Complex OCONUS moves

2. Air Animal

• Cost: $3,000-$5,500
• Rating: 4.7/5
• Military discount: Available
• Best for: Multi-pet families

3. Happy Tails Travel

• Cost: $2,500-$5,000
• Rating: 4.8/5
• Military discount: 15%
• Best for: Budget-conscious OCONUS

DIY vs. Pet Shipper (When to Use Each)

Use pet shipper if:

• ✅ First OCONUS PCS with pet
• ✅ Moving to strict country (Japan, Hawaii, UK)
• ✅ Multiple pets
• ✅ Large breed dog
• ✅ You're overwhelmed by requirements

DIY if:

• ✅ CONUS PCS only
• ✅ Small pet (in-cabin flight)
• ✅ Experience with pet travel
• ✅ Want to save $1,500-$3,000

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Housing Considerations (Pet-Friendly)

On-Base Housing

Restrictions (typical):

• 2 pets maximum
• Weight limit: 50 lbs per pet (varies by base)
• Breed restrictions: Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans often banned
• Pet deposit: $200-$500

Off-Base Housing

Finding pet-friendly:

• Search "pet-friendly" on Zillow, Apartments.com
• Expect: $300-$500 pet deposit + $25-$75/month pet rent
• Negotiate: Offer higher deposit to waive breed restrictions

Avoiding scams:

• Some landlords say "no pets" but negotiate (ask!)
• Get pet approval IN WRITING (don't trust verbal)

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Common PCS Pet Mistakes

❌ Mistake #1: Waiting Until Last Minute (OCONUS)

Reality:

• Orders: 2 months out
• You research Hawaii requirements
• Rabies titer test requires 120-day wait
• You miss window, pet stuck in quarantine ($1,680!)

Fix: Research requirements IMMEDIATELY when you get orders (or before)

❌ Mistake #2: Wrong Microchip Type

Reality:

• Get microchip at local vet
• Non-ISO compliant chip
• Arrive in Japan, chip not readable
• Pet quarantined 180 days

Fix: Verify ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip (tell vet "International travel chip")

❌ Mistake #3: Booking Non-Pet-Friendly Flight

Reality:

• Book cheapest flight (Spirit, Frontier)
• These airlines don't allow pets
• Must rebook on different airline ($$$)

Fix: Check airline pet policy BEFORE booking ticket

❌ Mistake #4: Not Acclimating Pet to Crate

Reality:

• Buy crate day before PCS
• Pet has never been in crate
• Freaks out during flight (stress, accidents)

Fix: Practice 30 days before flight (feed meals in crate, sleep in crate)

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Action Steps

As Soon as You Get Orders:

1. ✅ Research destination pet requirements (USDA APHIS website)
2. ✅ Decide: DIY or use pet shipper?
3. ✅ Verify housing allows pets (on-base or off-base)

6 Months Out (OCONUS):

1. ✅ Get microchip (ISO compliant)
2. ✅ Update rabies vaccine
3. ✅ Start rabies titer test (if required)

60 Days Out:

1. ✅ Book pet shipper OR airline
2. ✅ Get USDA-approved crate
3. ✅ Vet visit (health check, vaccines)

10 Days Out:

1. ✅ Get health certificate
2. ✅ USDA endorsement (if international)

Day of Travel:

1. ✅ Final vet check (if required)
2. ✅ Arrive airport early (3-5 hours international)
3. ✅ Keep pet calm (familiar toy, blanket in crate)

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Related Guides

• PCS House Hunting with Pets
• Military Pet Insurance Guide
• OCONUS Living with Pets

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Remember: PCS with pets is manageable with proper planning. Start early (6 months for OCONUS), use pet shippers for complex moves, verify housing allows pets before signing lease. Your furry family members deserve smooth PCS transitions too!