Shipping Pets

During PCS moves, personnel should include animal records as a part of in- and out-processing. Bring all previous records to the veterinary treatment facility when you arrive or during your first scheduled appointment. Animal owners who reside on post must register their dogs and cats at the VTF within 10 days of arrival or procurement of the animal. Owners must present proof of rabies vaccination at this time. Aberdeen Proving Ground installation regulations and Maryland state law require that owners vaccinate all cats and dogs, more than 3 months old, against rabies.

Aberdeen Proving Ground is a pet-friendly installation. Residents may have a maximum of two dogs and/or cats in any combination per household. All owners must register pets with proper immunization records through the Community Office within 10 days of arrival or acquisition. The installation does not permit the following pets: ferrets, hedgehogs, rats, rodents (other than hamsters and guinea pigs) snakes, reptiles more than 6 feet in length, sylvatic pets (skunks, raccoons, squirrels, etc.), potbellied pigs and exotic animals such as monkeys, arachnids, wild animals or any farm animals. The installation does permit the following pets: fish and small-caged animals (birds, rabbits and small rodents). The Aberdeen Proving Ground family housing areas also prohibits the following: full- or mixed-breed Pit Bulls (American Staffordshire Bull Terriers or English Staffordshire Bull Terriers), Rottweilers, Presa Canarios, Doberman Pinschers, Chow Chows, Akitas, Mastiffs, Great Danes, Alaskan Malamutes, wolf hybrids and crosses of these breeds. Find additional information by contacting the Community Office.

Pet Policy on Microchipping

Aberdeen Proving Ground Regulation 210-6, requires that all occupants of government quarters, under the control of the garrison commander, register all pets under their control. This policy allows for the control of animals by assisting in the reduction of strays or abandoned animals, decreasing the potential exposure of infectious diseases to humans and decreasing the number of strays euthanized by increasing the return of lost pets to their owners.

Effective Jan. 1, 2006, all owners residing on the installation must microchip all their cats and dogs. This allows veterinary staff to quickly identify the pet and notify pet owners when the installation law enforcement picks up stray pets. In turn, this reduces the animal’s stay and the owner’s cost for stray animal boarding.

Failure to comply with mandatory microchipping will require the owner to remove the animal from the installation within 14 days of notification.

The stray animal facility staff will scan animals detained by garrison law enforcement to verify the microchip identification number. If the staff does not detect a microchip, the VTF, with the owner's approval, will microchip the animal at the owner's expense. The current cost of microchipping and lifetime enrollment is $20. If the owner refuses to have the microchip implanted, the installation veterinarian will deny further treatment of the animal and will direct the owner to remove the pet from the installation.

Effective Jan. 1, 2006, VTFs that find pets out of compliance during treatment will microchip the pet at the owner’s expense or deny further treatment. Find additional information regarding this policy from the VTF at 410-278-4604.

Any additional questions or concerns can be directed to the APG Veterinary Clinic. Their phone number is (410)-278-4604. Their website is www.aberdeenveterinaryclinic.com 

Whether you are moving to another state or overseas, pets are an important concern. The decision to relocate your pet should be based on:

• State/country policies on restricted breeds (Several states as well as Germany have restrictive laws regarding "fighting dog" breeds.)
• Age and health of your pet
• Climate and living conditions your new home will have and the affect it will have on your pet
• Quarantine regulations
• Installation or community housing requirements

Pets are usually transported by air or personal vehicle. No matter how you plan to travel, you should visit your veterinarian well before your move to obtain a health certificate and disease inoculation documentation. Nothing can waylay a trip with an animal faster than a health problem, and your pet's well-being should be of primary importance to you. Your pet will be subjected to conditions guaranteed to cause stress to your animal. A clean bill of health is an important first step in assuring your pet's ability to handle the stress of moving and adjust to unfamiliar surroundings.

Make sure your pet wears a collar with a special identification tag with its name and your phone number. Have sufficient medications for your pet on hand during your relocation period.

When traveling by air remember that most commercial airlines do not transport pets during the summer months. Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, approved kennels are usually required for travel, and some airlines have size-specific kennel requirements. Airlines also reserve the right to refuse travel to any animal for any reason. Contact your airline for additional information.

If traveling by vehicle, ensure that your pet has the basic essentials such as water, treats, dishes, favorite toys, leash, bedding, and take several stretch breaks and relief breaks along the way.

Most states and countries require recent health certificates and disease inoculation documentation before you will be allowed to cross borders, making a trip to the veterinarian mandatory. Even if you are traveling within your own state boundaries, it is a good idea to have your pet examined and inoculated. Your pet will be out of his/her own back yard and subject to contact with unknown animals. Their chances of contracting disease or infection will greatly increase. Have your pet examined by a licensed veterinarian, preferably one who has cared for animals on a regular basis. Ask the doctor to prescribe a motion sickness pill or sedative as a preventive measure. Don't tranquilize your animal automatically. Sedated animals are more likely to develop problems.

(Note: Motion sickness pills are preferable to tranquilizers). NEVER give your pet tranquilizers without your vet's approval and NEVER give an animal any medication that has been prescribed for human use. Avoid traveling with an animal during extreme weather. Exceptionally cold or hot weather can result in hyper- and hypothermia, heart failure, even death. During summer months, schedule travel for early morning or evening hours.

Shipping Pets

Planning for shipment of your pet includes researching airline requirements and quarantine and restriction laws in your new location. You will need to ask the airlines the requirements for size, weight, number of animals, kennel construction, documentation and season of the year limitations. Occasionally, small pets can be shipped on military flights but availability, regulations and fees can change. Check the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Pet Travel web page for details on shipping pets.

Many international locations have strict importation laws including extended quarantines and restrictions on breeds or types of animals that can be brought into the country. Carefully research these rules as they could impact your moving schedule. Not only do overseas locations have strict rules but many locations have restrictions on dangerous dogs as well.

Aberdeen Proving Ground is a pet-friendly installation. Residents may have a maximum of two dogs and/or cats in any combination per household. All pets must be registered with the Community Office with proper immunization records within 10 days of arrival or acquisition. Ferrets, hedgehogs, rats, rodents (other than hamsters and guinea pigs) snakes, reptiles over six feet in length, sylvatic pets (skunks, raccoons, squirrels, etc), potbellied pigs and exotic animals such as monkeys, arachnids, wild animals or any farm animals are not permitted to be kept as pets on the installation. Fish and small caged animals (birds, rabbits, and small rodents) are permitted. Full or mixed breed Pit Bull (American Staffordshire Bull Terrier or English Staffordshire Bull Terrier), Rottweiler, Presa Canarios, Doberman Pinscher, Chow Chow, Akitas, Mastiffs, Great Danes, Alaskan Malamutes, and wolf hybrids and crosses of these breeds are prohibited from Aberdeen Proving Ground family housing areas. For additional information, please contact the Community Office at 410-305-1076

There are no pet quarantines in Maryland.

Aberdeen Proving Ground is a pet-friendly installation. Residents may have a maximum of two dogs and/or cats in any combination per household. All pets must be registered with the Community Office with proper immunization records within 10 days of arrival or acquisition. Ferrets, hedgehogs, rats, rodents (other than hamsters and guinea pigs) snakes, reptiles over six feet in length, sylvatic pets (skunks, raccoons, squirrels, etc), potbellied pigs and exotic animals such as monkeys, arachnids, wild animals or any farm animals are not permitted to be kept as pets on the installation. Fish and small caged animals (birds, rabbits, and small rodents) are permitted. Full or mixed breed Pit Bull (American Staffordshire Bull Terrier or English Staffordshire Bull Terrier), Rottweiler, Presa Canarios, Doberman Pinscher, Chow Chow, Akitas, Mastiffs, Great Danes, Alaskan Malamutes, and wolf hybrids and crosses of these breeds are prohibited from Aberdeen Proving Ground family housing areas. For additional information, please contact the Community Office.

Aberdeen Guest Housing as well as the transient facilities here on Aberdeen Proving Ground does not allow pets of any type. Pets must be boarded off post until you have obtained permanent housing. Check the Yellow Pages for kennels in the area. Aberdeen Proving Ground does not provide a Boarding service or kennel on post.

Helpful Tips

Some facilities may require a deposit. Always carry your pet's complete health record, because most facilities require proof of current vaccinations (current rabies, distemper, and bordatella). Contact Veterinary Services at 410-278-3911/4574 or DSN 312-298-3911. The Aberdeen Proving Ground Veterinary Treatment Facility does not board pets.

Other Related Resources:

• Animal Shelter
• K-9 Blood Bank
• Maryland SPCA

The Veterinary Treatment Facility personnel would like to extend a warm welcome to all newcomers to Aberdeen Proving Ground and to inform eligible personnel of the services offered. In accordance with guidelines provided by the Department of the Army, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the Legislative Branch of the Federal government, military veterinary clinics are under regulations that must be understood by all military personnel who intend to use veterinary services.

The Proving Ground does not have kennels to keep your pets. The veterinary treatment facilities will give you a list of local kennels. Pets are not allowed in the guest house, so other provisions must be made. For more information please call 410-278-4604.

Some other Vets near APG:

• Swan creek Vet Clinic- 2015A Pulaski Highway Havre de Grace, Md 410-939-9500
• Aberdeen Veterinary Clinic 728 S. Philadelphia BLVD. Aberdeen, Md 410-272-0655
• Friendly Paws Vet Clinic - 951-I Beards Hill Road, Aberdeen, MD 21001, US 410-272-8656

Hours:

• Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed

Veterinary Treatment Facility Details - Army Public Health Center