Pet transportation

***New update as of 1 August 2024 - CDC Importation Requirements, Pets-Risk Acknowledgements, and CDC Dog Import form receipt***

https://www.travel.dod.mil/About/News/Article/Article/3857119/updated-cdc-pet-dog-importation-regulation-goes-into-effect-august-1/

Pet shipments are complex and competitive. Government travelers are required to use primarily government provided airlift (AMC channel airlift) to travel overseas. These flights have limited amounts of pet spaces that fill up quickly as bookings occur 90 days out. If you have two pets and find that only one is booked on AMC, an Exception to Policy for no pet spaces is available to accommodate the traveler’s needs. Once the ETP is issued by losing Commanding Officer (or above), then travelers may be booked on regular commercial flights through the passenger travel office, but each airline has their own rules and regulations regarding transporting pets. Finally, there are specific quarantine/border clearance requirements that require significant coordination to properly prepare for so pets are accepted on airplanes.

A pet is defined by the Marine Corps order as dogs and cats and limited to (2) pets per family. An exception to policy exists to obtain permission for a third pet.

Travelers must complete the Outbound Interview (OBI) on Marines Online to generate a port call that will initiate the passenger travel office to book your travel. Pets must be listed on port calls to include breed, gender, weight, and kennel dimension sizes.

All associated cost with moving pets must be paid for using he traveler’s personal credit card. Commercial cost for moving your pet will be provided when you book reservations with the airline that can service your new PCS location. AMC charges is by the weight of the associated pet and kennel.

If pets exceed 150 lbs (weight including the kennel), travelers may need to ship their pet as freight and use specialized service providers (see American, Alaska, Delta, and United links below). The government transportation system cannot support animals that exceed the weight restrictions.

There is a Joint Travel Regulation (see page 5A-2, para. 050107 Pet expenses due to a PCS) entitlement that will allow the traveler to be reimbursed for some of the cost associated with moving their pets.

Additional Information and Resources:

-DTMO Frequently Asked Questions:

https://www.travel.dod.mil/Support/ALL-FAQs/Article/3624131/pet-transportation-allowance/

-The Joint Travel Regulations (JTR):

https://media.defense.gov/2022/Jan/04/2002917147/-1/-1/0/JTR.PDF

-MCO 4600.7a:

MCO 4600.7A > United States Marine Corps Flagship > Electronic Library Display (marines.mil)

-AMC Pet Travel (with pet pamphlet):

https://www.amc.af.mil/AMC-Travel-Site/AMC-Pet-Travel-Page/

-U.S. AMC Terminal Locations:

-Naval Station Norfolk AMC Terminal