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Pet travel is only permitted for passengers on PCS orders. A maximum of 2 pets per family is authorized. Due to the demand for pet travel, booking through your local Transportation Office or booking agency is recommended as early as possible. For additional information please visit our Pet Travel Page.
The Patriot Express accepts snub and pug nosed pets all year round. All pets are susceptible to the risk of heat stroke, respiratory problems, and the possibility of death during travel. The risk is increased for snub or pug nosed pets. For health and safety concerns, we recommend pet owners discuss their pet’s susceptibility to these or other complications with a veterinarian prior to air transport, and ensure your kennel has adequate ventilation. Travel is at the owner’s risk.
Seats are allocated as directed by the Defense Transportation Regulation (DTR) in order to operate Patriot Express missions and meet validated Combatant Command (CCMD) requirements. The ability to meet every passenger’s unique travel needs are limited as CCMD validations for airlift do not include requirements for pets. To assist as many members as possible, seat and pet release dates are normally published 90-120 days prior to execution to component Headquarters to ensure a fair and equitable opportunity for booking. During peak PCS season, pet spaces can book full with in the first 24 hours of mission release. It is imperative to plan as early as possible.
Pet spaces are determined by many factors including aircraft limitations, how many spaces are allowed under the contract, and oxygen availability to pets in the baggage compartment.
No, payment of the pet relocation allowance is based on the departure date from the previous PDS location.
If the Service member departs the PDS on a PCS order on or after 1 January 2024, then authorized reimbursement for the costs related to the relocation of one household pet incurred prior to the departure date may be reimbursable. For example, if traveling to Japan there are many requirements that the Service member must accomplish to prepare for the transportation to the overseas location. The only determining factor for eligibility for the pet relocation allowance is that the Service member departs from the current PDS on or after 1 January 2024 and the authorized expense is related to that PCS move per the Joint Travel Regulations.
Yes. Each member of a dual-military couple who is issued PCS Orders that authorize the relocation of their household at government expense, may be authorized reimbursement of pet expenses for one pet per each military member who is issued such orders. Authorization may depend on specific circumstances, therefore routing questions are encouraged to their supporting finance, administrative, or Traffic Management Office’s Passenger Travel Office.
CONUS. Reimbursement for the actual cost of all expenses is limited to $550 per PCS move.
OCONUS. Reimbursement for the actual cost of all expenses is limited to $2,000 per PCS move.
CONUS. A Service member may be authorized the reasonable and substantiated cost of mandatory microchipping, boarding fees, hotel service charges, licensing fees at the new PDS, and pet shipping fees if the member flies rather than drives, or the pet is shipped separately from the member. Reimbursement for the actual cost of all expenses is limited to $550 per PCS move.
OCONUS. A Service member may be authorized the reasonable and substantiated cost of mandatory microchipping, quarantine fees, boarding fees, hotel service charges, licensing fees at the new PDS, testing titer levels for entry, and pet shipping fees if the member flies rather than drives, or the pet is shipped separately from the member. For transoceanic travel, use of Government or Government-procured transportation must be used if available or reimbursement for transportation costs is not authorized. Reimbursement for the actual cost of all necessary expenses described above in connection with the movement of a pet is limited to $2,000 per PCS move.
Relocation of one household pet that arises from a PCS move. A household pet is a cat or a dog, owned for personal companionship.