Shipping Pets

You must register your pet within 30 days of your arrival in Germany.  The Veterinary Clinic is located in building 9003 near the main gate of Katterbach Kaserne and provides limited services on a space available or appointment basis.  The clinic's hours may vary based on demand and mission, so it is suggested that you call for an appointment at DSN: 314-590-3777 or Commercial:+49 (0)6371-9464-3777.

A health certificate is required to return your pet back to the United States. This certificate can be obtained at the clinic only if the veterinarian is on site or obtain a health certificate from the local community.

Quarantines are not required in Germany. Pets must have reservations to fly to Germany. Commercial airlines charge according to the size of the pet. Space for pets is limited so contact the airlines well in advance. Space is very limited on Air Mobility Command flights and they charge as well. An international health certificate is required as well as a rabies shot at least 30 days old and not more than 12 months old as well as the meet the EU's microchip requirements. Pets must be shipped in an appropriate carrier. Contact your local transportation office with questions.

The Ansbach Veterinary Clinic provides a listing of off-post pet services and facilities.

Germany has a Dangerous Dog Ordinance (DDO), placing restrictions upon the ownership of certain types of dogs. This DDO affects military personnel moving to Germany and some breeds will not be allowed into the country.

The breeds affected by the new DDO vary from German state to state, but automatically included in the definition of dangerous dogs are:

• American Pit Bull Terriers
• American Staffordshire Bull Terriers
• American Stafford Terriers
• Staffordshire Bull Terriers
• Mixes involving these breeds

The following breeds are also regulated in some states:

• American Bulldog
• Rhodesian Ridgeback
• Bull Terrier
• Bull Mastiff
• Mastiff
• French Mastiff
• Spanish Mastiff
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Tosa Inu
• Bandogge
• Kangal (Karabash)
• Caucasion Owtscharka
• Mixes involving these breeds

The DDO also defines dangerous dogs as animals either known to be vicious, having indicated an inclination to attack game or livestock, having attacked persons or having shown unusual aggressiveness. Breeding, reproduction and trade of dangerous dogs is also prohibited.

Military personnel who own a dog fitting the criteria will be required to register with local German authorities, permanently mark the dog with a tattoo or microchip, muzzle and keep the dog on a leash when in public unless cleared by a temperament evaluation. This evaluation will test whether a dog is aggressive or non-aggressive, however, the test is not compulsory. The choice is left to the owner to either have the dog permanently wear a muzzle or take the evaluation test. Dogs that pass this temperament evaluation are freed of the requirement to wear a muzzle. A German police dog handler and federal veterinarian will perform temperament evaluations. There is no cost for registering dogs, but there are costs to permanently mark and evaluate dogs, which the owner will have to pay.

In the event that a dog does not pass the temperament evaluation, German officials will determine what measures must be taken. At a minimum, such dogs must be muzzled and kept on a leash while in public. For aggressive dogs, the officials could determine that liability insurance, impounding, neutering or even destruction are necessary.

Supporting Army veterinary treatment facilities can assist service member owners of dangerous dogs in registering and scheduling behavioral evaluations. Owners should contact their local VTF within two weeks upon arriving in Germany or after obtaining a dog.

Military personnel moving to Germany should weigh the requirements of the German DDO and owner responsibilities for dogs that fit the criteria in paragraph 2 when making a decision to bring such dogs with them.