Shipping Pets

You'll have to consider such things as preparations for travel, medical information, whether to transport by car or by air, feeding and care while traveling and settling into the new home. Plan for them early. Ask about pet information at the Military and Family Readiness Center and Traffic Management Office during counseling sessions. Also ask about the available PCS entitlements and Air Force Aid Society Grant for Pet Transportation from Overseas to CONUS. Check any regulations regarding pets that may apply to your location.

Be very careful when traveling with pets especially through the southwest desert areas. Remember you are coming to the desert. The heat can be extremely stressful and dangerous to pets. Never leave your pet in the car. On a hot summer day the inside of a car heats very quickly. On an 85 degree day, for example, the temperature inside you car, with windows slightly open, will reach 102 degrees in 10 minutes. A 105 degree day has produced a 215 degree temperature inside a car which is deadly to your pet. When walking your pet, do so when the concrete has cooled off as it can burn your pet's paws. The summer days in Nevada are over 100 degrees almost every day so leaving your pet at home is the kindest thing you can do. While traveling, ensure you have plenty of fresh water and make frequent stops.

Travel with pets requires extra research and planning. Consider the overall health and age of the animal, additional expenses for travel, lodging, kennels and deposits. If traveling by car, determine in advance which hotels along the way will accept pets and the cost. Some families find it best to stay at campgrounds rather than hotels.

If traveling by air, additional considerations include airline travel rules and expenses like size, type and health of the animal, pet carrier size, material requirements, total number of animals allowed in cargo and in the cabin per flight and per person. The government does not pay to transport animals. A significant factor affecting families wishing to transport pets by air is the temperature. There are rules regarding air transport of animals during times of extreme hot and cold temperatures at departure and arrival points as well as at stops. The temperatures in Las Vegas can reach extreme highs during the summer months. Check with your airline, with the Traffic Management Office or look at the Transportation Security Administration web page for information and rules regarding pets and air travel.

Installation Specific

If you plan to live in Nellis Air Force Base housing, all pets must be registered with the Nellis Air Force Base Veterinary Treatment Facility upon arrival. Housing management may limit the number and breed of pets that can live on base housing. Contact housing management for more information.

The Nellis Air Force Base Veterinary Treatment Facility is professionally staffed by Army Veterinary Corps personnel with the primary mission of providing complete veterinary care for all government-owned animals. The Nellis Air Force Base VTF staff understands how important your pet is to you. With that in mind, they also offer some routine care services for pets of military families, however, most veterinary emergency cases are best served through a full-service civilian veterinary hospital.

Pets are allowed in only six of the temporary lodging units at Nellis Air Force Base. If a pet friendly unit is not available, you will have to use one of the local kennels or a pet friendly hotel due to no vacancy in temporary lodging at Nellis Air Force Base. Estimated cost per pet is $100 each monthly. Before you move pets, ensure they have all required vaccinations and a microchip. Make sure once you arrive to your new assignment to update the microchip with your current address or they won't be able to stay in local area kennels. Many kennels will not accept your animal without vaccination records. Average daily rates for boarding cats and dogs range between $10 and $20 depending on the size of the animal. Some kennels do board exotic animals and birds. Most require a health certificate, especially for birds, that was issued within the past 30 days. There are no boarding kennels on base. Call ahead for rates and ask about any additional fees.

Horses

Nellis High Desert Stables is located at Nellis Air Force Base. The boarding fees range from $100 to $165, depending on rank, with a $165 initial stall deposit. You provide your own feeding and cleaning. The horse must have a negative Coggins within six months, a health certificate, shots and worming. You should contact Nellis Outdoor Recreation at 702-652-2514 as soon as possible to reserve a stall. Upon your arrival you must first check-in with the base veterinarian before you will be able to board your horse.