Shipping Pets

Louisiana requires all pets be registered (licensed) and vaccinated annually against rabies by a veterinarian.

Louisiana leads the country with the highest number of heartworm positive animals. Therefore, it is key to provide Heartworm preventative medication on a timely schedule each month. This is a year round requirement. Once you decide an animal is going to be your traveling companion, plan for your pet's trip with the same care and attention you use to plan your own.

Base residents are required by base and housing regulations to register animals with veterinary services within 10 working days of arrival and are limited to two animals per household. Remember to bring your records with you when registering. Base housing does not allow certain breeds to live on base, check Barksdale Family Housing for specific breeds.  

Starting Jan. 1, 2024, service members can be reimbursed up to $550 in the continental U.S. for one household pet, either cat or dog, and up to $2,000 for moves to or from a location outside the continental U.S. to cover costs related to the transportation of a pet which is defined by the Joint Travel Regulations as a cat or dog. For more information please refer to the MFR for pet travel.

Please make sure your pet has no health problems and has a current rabies tag and identification (including pet's name, your name, address, and phone number) on their collar and their pet carrier. Your pet will be subjected to conditions guaranteed to cause stress. A clean bill of health is an important first step in assuring your pet's ability to adjust safely to unfamiliar surroundings. 

The carrier in which your pet will be spending most of the trip is of the most importance. MAKE SURE IT FITS!

There are no kennels located on Barksdale Air Force Base; however, the local area offers several places within a short distance from the base you may contact. Please refer to the local telephone directory or your sponsor for a complete listing.

Pets are seen on an appointment-available basis only at the Barksdale Veterinary Clinic and there are limited days and times for appointments.

Normal operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Animal care items may be purchased any time during business hours. Current services include regular check ups and shots. Other procedures and surgical needs are limited. To schedule an appointment please call 318-456-3923.

While the Barksdale Veterinary Clinic is dedicated to the care of all personal pets, the primary mission of the clinic is to provide complete medical care for our four-legged service members, the Military Working Dogs. Because our mission is to provide the best care for the Military Working Dogs, normal operating hours of the clinic may change without notice.

If you cannot keep a scheduled appointment, please provide a 24-hour notice so appointments may be offered to someone else. Failure to do so will result in documenting a "no show." After two no-shows occur, the client will lose veterinary privileges for six months and the sponsor's chain of command may be notified. A third no show will result in permanent loss of veterinary privileges and notification of chain of command.

Base residents are required by base and housing regulations to register animals with Veterinary Services within 10 working days of arrival and are limited to two animals per household. Remember to bring your records with you when registering. Base housing does not allow certain breeds to live on base, check with Barksdale Family Housing for specific breeds. The Barksdale Veterinary Clinic will maintain all your pet's records. Unfortunately, policy prohibits animals used or planned to be used for commercial breeding purposes from receiving services at our clinic. Use of veterinary services is a privilege not a right and is mandated by Air Force Instruction 48-131 Veterinary Health Services. Anyone who owns a pet on base or uses the veterinary clinic will be expected to know and comply with these regulations.