Shipping Pets

Pet Restrictions:

** Regardless of the breed of your dog, the state of Washington imposes strict liability laws (RCW 16.08. 010 and 16.08. 040) for dog bites to both humans and other animals. This means that a dog owner and/or keeper may be liable the first time a dog bites, regardless of the owner's negligence.**

Licensing:

All licensing and registration requirements apply on base, in the City of Spokane, and in the rest of Spokane County:

- On base: Pets kept on base are required to be registered with the Fairchild Veterinary Treatment Facility within 3 days of moving into housing. There is no charge for this service.

* Per the base commander, all pets living on base must have a microchip and a current Rabies vaccination.

     - If the pet(s) do not have a microchip, they must be microchipped within 30 days, which can be accomplished through on- or off-base veterinary services.

     - The microchip is linked to Spokane County registration. We recommend that you wait to register through Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services (SCRAPS) until after the microchip has been implanted.

Pet licensing for cats and dogs is mandatory in all areas of Spokane County within 30 days of acquisition of a pet or when the pet reaches 6 months of age. It is recommended that the license be attached to a substantial collar and worn at all times.

     - In the city of Spokane and in Airway Heights, the cost of licensing is:

          - Cats, $28; if spayed/neutered, $18

          - Dogs, $53; if spayed/neutered, $28

          - Late Fee $20 (defined as 30 days past due)

          - Senior Rate $13 for cats/$18 for dogs (defined as 65yrs or older)

For a registration form and or additional information, visit https://www.spokanecounty.org/617/Purchase-Renew-a-License or call 509-477-2532

Leash Laws, per Base Regulations and Spokane County Laws:

     - On base: Pets must be secured with leashes or be under control while outdoors, except in areas with fenced patios and yards. Pets must not be left tied up or unattended in exterior appurtenances or unfenced yards, or allowed to run loose outside fenced yards.

     - Off base: Dogs must be kept confined to your property or on a leash no longer than eight feet. Cats may not run at large without having been spayed or neutered or be on private property without the permission of the property owner.

Please refer to Balfour Beatty Housing regulations regarding pets living on base.

Pet Travel & Quarantine

Quarantine:

There is no quarantine required for Washington State, unless you are coming from overseas into the United States.

Pet Travel:

Travel is always hard on a pet whether it is accustomed to the road or not. Remember animals experience the same excitement and anxiety in a new environment as you. Consider bringing along a few of their favorite items for the trip.

If your pet gets sick while traveling, the American Animal Hospital Association provides a toll-free number (800-252-2242) to help provide recommendations while traveling and information on veterinarians in the local area.

Health Certificates:

Health certificates are legal documents generated by a veterinary clinic attesting to the general health of the pet prior to travel. Health certificates may be obtained at the Fairchild AFB Veterinary Treatment Facility for travel within and outside of the United States.

- Domestic Health Certificates are required if you are traveling across state lines. Certificates should be obtained within 30 days if you are driving and within 10 days of flying with any airline.

- International Health Certificates are required for all countries and airlines. These certificates should be obtained within 10 days or 48 hours of travel, depending on the means of travel.

Please contact the Fairchild AFB Veterinary Treatment Facility for additional information on health certificates as soon as you are notified of expected travel to help smartly plan your move.  Please also consult https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel for additional pet travel information.

Air Travel

You may schedule your pet's flight yourself, whether it's on the same flight you will be on or the pet will be on a cargo flight. Many air carriers have Reserved Air Freight shipments, so you can call ahead. RAF arrangements should be made in advance. We recommend you avoid initiating shipment over weekends or holidays when freight offices are likely closed. For all air travel, a health certificate is required and is generally good for 10 days from the date of issuance. We recommend obtaining the certificate as close to departure as possible.

- Purchasing a crate is preferable to renting one (for the sake of your pet's health). Purchase crates that meet federal compliance. Attach water pans to prevent spills.

- On the top outside of the crate, list your name, address and phone number so the Transport Authorities can contact you in case of emergency (canceled flights, etc.).

- Secure a 3x5 card to the top of the crate indicating name, address and phone number of the person to receive the pet at its final destination.

- Federal regulations require that you attach an envelope to the crate containing the pet's health certificate.

- It is wise to carry or mail duplicate copies of required information (just in case the envelope is lost or damaged).

- If the flight is 12-24 hours, depending on the age of the pet, you must provide food to accompany the crate. A suggestion is to attach a heavy cloth or plastic bag filled with dry (biscuits) or "soft moist" food.

- We do not recommend locking the door of the crate. In case of an emergency, you want someone to be able to assist your pet without tearing the door off its hinges and destroying the crate.

- If you are traveling with your pet or won't be in the airport when it arrives, arrange to have someone pick up your pet and let you know the pet has arrived safely.

Car Travel

For your convenience, we recommend you pack a travel kit for your pet. Consider including the following items:

- Ample supply of pet's regular food and treats

- Food and water bowls

- Bedding

- Comb and/or brush

- Mop-up towel or paper towels

- Plastic bags to clean up after your pet at motel or campground

- For cats, pack: kitty litter pan, kitty litter, and scooper

Please visit the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) website at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel for requirements regarding pet travel to different countries. Please also visit the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)’s website for additional travel tips. Costs for pet travel are not reimbursed by the government but may be authorized as a tax deduction. Keep your receipts and consult your on- or off-base tax preparer, or the IRS.

Note to Pet Owners

There are 17 units at Fairchild Air Force Base that allow pets. Shot records must be provided and there is an additional fee of $10 per night.

If only a regular unit is available, you must kennel your animal or pay the excess cost to stay off base. Lodging has information on local kennels and hotels that accept pets. There is also a kennel on base that charges $25-$28 per night, depending on the type of accommodation. Pets in a non-pet friendly room will accrue a cleaning fee of $150.

Fairchild offers: Tanker Tails at FAFB. Call 509-247-4799 or check them out on Facebook

Veterinary Services:

Fairchild AFB Veterinary Treatment Facility

402 N. Vet Rd, Bldg 2424

Fairchild AFB, WA 99011

Clinic Phone: 509-247-2583

Clinic Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30am-12:00pm & 1:00pm-4:00pm; Closed Saturdays & Sundays; Closed for Federal Holidays & Family Days

https://www.facebook.com/FAFBVeterinaryClinic

You must be a Military ID cardholder to be eligible to use Fairchild AFB VTF.

The Fairchild AFB VTF does not provide emergency pet services.

In the event of an emergency, we recommend taking your pet to:

The Pet Emergency Clinic

21 E. Mission Ave

Spokane, WA 99202

509-326-6670

Services Offered at Fairchild AFB VTF:

- Wellness examinations: including vaccinations, deworming, preventions, & pet microchips

- Preventions: for fleas, ticks, heartworms & other internal parasites

- Health certificates: domestic and international

- Radiographs & diagnostic laboratory testing (in-house and send-out laboratory options)

- Humane euthanasia

- Base pet registration – for base housing (Spokane County registration still required through SCRAPS)

- Surgical and dental procedures (dependent on clinic staffing): Spay, Neuter, Dental Cleanings and extractions

** At this time, the clinic does not treat exotic animals.

Health Concerns for Fairchild AFB & the surrounding area:

- Respiratory diseases impacting both dogs & cats, including kennel cough/Bordetella, parainfluenza, & feline upper respiratory infections. Bordetella & parainfluenza vaccine available at VTF.

- Fleas & ticks, which can also impact pets that are indoors-only. We recommend providing all of your pets’ year-round protection, as fleas and ticks can transmit diseases to both pets and people.

- Heartworm disease, which can affect both dogs & cats—including pets that are indoors-only. Year-round protection is recommended, as is annual heartworm disease testing.

-Internal parasites, affecting both dogs & cats—some of which can also infect people. Select parasite protection available from monthly heartworm preventatives.

- Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that may also infect humans. Vaccine available at VTF.

- Canine parvovirus. Vaccine available at VTF.

- Distemper virus. Vaccine available at VTF.

- Rabies virus. Vaccine available at VTF.

Please contact the Fairchild AFB VTF to learn more about how you can help protect your pet and your family today!