Fort Bragg  Moving

All dogs and cats over 4 months of age residing on Fort Bragg must be registered with the VTF. Owners are required to register their animals within 10 days of arrival or acquisition. You must present military ID, proof of rabies vaccinations and pay a $2.00 DoD service fee.  Micro chipping is mandatory IAW Ft. Bragg policy. Pit Bull, American Staffordshire terrier, English Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Rottweiller, and Wolf and Wolf Hybrid breeds are not permitted on Fort Bragg.  Registered/micro-chipped dogs of the breeds listed that reside on Fort Bragg prior to 4 March 2008 will be allowed to remain until the owner/sponsor moves or ownership of the animal ceases, which ever comes first.  These breeds as well as wild animals such as ferrets, skunks, raccoons, monkeys, etc. are not authorized to be kept as pets on Fort Bragg and are therefore not treated at this facility.

Cumberland County

Dogs over four months old must be licensed annually and vaccinated against rabies. Dog licenses will be sold only upon presentation of a certificate that the dog has been inoculated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Dog licenses cost $2.00 per year for spayed/neutered animals and $10.00 for fertile animals. To obtain a $5.00 license, certification must be provided that the animal has been spayed/neutered by a veterinarian or is infertile. All dogs must have a license tag securely attached to a collar and worn whenever the dog is off the owner's property.

Cats over four months old must be inoculated against rabies but are not required to be licensed. Licensing of cats is not required; however, the wearing of an identification tag on a safety collar is recommended.

Once you have decided that an animal is going to be your traveling companion, plan for your pet's trip in the same way you plan your own. Make sure your pet is healthy and strong enough to travel. Think about the changes your pet will face in its new home. Is there enough space for exercising? How does your pet adjust to new people or strange places? If you are flying with your pet, make sure the crate has a label with the pet's name, your name, address, phone number, and the destination address. You will also want to ensure the cage has any special instructions. Also, make sure your pet has proper identification tags. The information should include your pet's name, your name, address and phone number.

The DOD had determined pet shipment will be limited to passengers in a permanent change of station (PCS) status only.  You are limited to a maximum of two pets per Family, weighing no more than 150 pounds each including carrier.  Pets are defined as dogs and cats only. Pet space is limited on all flights; therefore reservations will be made on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Rules for Processing Pets at the Airport

Be at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure. Passengers on AMC flights may check-in up to 8 hours prior to departure, but retain custody of pet until 45 minutes prior to boarding. Have a leash with you so that you may exercise your pet prior to check-in and after arrival. All pets must remain in their container while in the terminal area. For safety reasons keep your pet a safe distance from other passengers. Mark your kennel with your pet's name and include your name and local or unit address and phone number. Please purchase an I.D. tag for your pet.

Pets on AMC flights will be shipped in the cargo area of the plane. A pet that can be shipped in a kennel no larger than 20"L X 16" W X 8"H may go in the passenger compartment, if pet space is available.

German law prohibits shipment of 4 dog species as well as crossbreeds of these dogs. They are the Pit Bull, the American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Bull Terrier Breeds.

All Pet Expenses are the Responsibility of the Owner

You are responsible for obtaining all required documentation, immunization, and border clearance requirements. Be prepared to defray any associated costs. You must have a DD Form 2208, Rabies Vaccination Certificate (or civilian equivalent), and a DD Form 2209, Veterinary Health Certificate. The rabies certificate has to be 30 days old but less than 1 year. The health certificate can be no more than 10 days old prior to the flight.

Quarantine Fees -- You are now entitled to reimbursement of some of your quarantine fees if the country you are going to requires your pet to be quarantined.

Pet Containers

Pet containers must be an approved International Air transport Association container. Containers are available at most Exchange/Retail stores and in limited quantities at commercial airports. The cage must be large enough for the animal to stand up with head erect, turn around, and lie down with normal posture and body movements. Several layers of newspaper, shredded paper, or absorbent material should be placed in the bottom of the container. Do not use straw, hay, grass, sawdust, sand, or soil. Purchase the cage several days prior to flight to allow your pet time to become adjusted to it. Normally pets will be individually caged; however, two small animals of comparable size up to 31 pounds each that are used to cohabitation may be shipped in the same container as long as they can also stand up, turn around, and lie down with normal posture. Dogs and cats may not be placed in the same container. No collapsible or soft-shell cages will be accepted.

Pets should be fed very lightly and provided a drink of water before turn in for shipment. Some animals with snub noses may experience difficulty while flying. Please ensure your container has adequate ventilation and your pet is free of respiratory problems. If at all possible, do not ship female pets that are in heat (ESTRUSS). This condition causes great distress to other pets and may result in injury. Females with suckling young and un-weaned animals cannot be accepted. Weaned puppies younger than 8 weeks old should not be shipped due to possible dehydration. A familiar article or toy in the cage may help placate the animal.

Sedation

Sedation is not advised since the effects of tranquilizers on animals at high altitudes are unpredictable. The decision to prescribe a tranquilizer for your pet should be made by your veterinarian. If you believe some form of sedation might be helpful, be sure to obtain and follow expert advice.

There is no quarantine for pets arriving from overseas locations as long as the owner provides a valid veterinarian's certificate that states the pet has no diseases and current rabies inoculations.

It is a good idea to make advanced reservations for pet boarding as soon as you know your arrival date. This is an area where your sponsor can be of assistance. If you will be staying in temporary lodging, please remember that the Fort Bragg Lodging does accept pets. Also, many local hotels require an extra deposit if you are staying with a pet.

There are many pet kennels in this area, however. To obtain a more exhaustive list, please consult the Fayetteville (Cumberland County), North Carolina Yellow Pages. 

Cost

The cost to board a cat may range from up to $26/day. To board a dog, the cost can be $15-30/day. For pets other than cats and dogs, please contact the kennel to determine if they will accept your pet.

Ft. Bragg Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF)

The VTF is located in Bldg. 2-7606 and can be reached by calling 910-396-6473/9120. Hours of operation are Monday - Friday 8:00 am until 4:00 pm.

Medical Treatment

The VTF provides Laboratory Testing/Diagnostic Testing, Health Certificates, Spay and Neuter, Vaccinations, and Dental Procedures . Appointments may be scheduled one week in advance. Due to our limited manpower and resources, most veterinary emergency cases are best served through a full service civilian veterinary hospital.

Closed the last business day of every month

All animals are seen by appointment only. Clients may call for an appointment. Routine services include vaccinations of dogs and cats, heartworm testing, feline leukemia virus testing, and health certification. There is a small service charge added to the total cost of every cash transaction as required by the Treasury Department.

The Veterinary Clinic also runs a stray/homeless facility. Stop by and check the photo board located in the waiting area. Phone 910-396-6473/9120 or DSN 312-236-6473/9120.

Animal Bites

All persons bitten by animals should report to the Emergency Room, Womack Army Medical Center or off post hospital for treatment and completion of an Animal Bite Report. The offending animal is subject to a physical examination and 10-day quarantine by the attending veterinarian. There are some wild animals on post. Do not feed or handle these animals and this will greatly reduce your chance of exposure to the rabies virus.

Animal Control

Maximum of two pets, dogs or cats, in any combination are authorized per household. There are no grandfather clauses as per FB 40-5 September 2003 version. All pets on post must be kept under control at all times. Pets must be kept indoors or secured on the owner's premises. Pets may be secured with a tether or a chain no longer than 15 feet in length or may be kept in a fenced area with-in the owners' promises. If animals are tethered or chained they must be limited to a boundary not less than four feet from common user rights-of-way (e.g. sidewalks, streets). They must not be secured to trees, shrubbery, or any government property. If you secure your animal in a common area the chain or tether will be no longer than four feet.  Provide proper shelter from the weather when housing animals outdoors. The shelter shall be a moisture-proof and windproof structure. The size must accommodate the entire body of the pet to allow it to stand up, turn around, and allow retention of body heat. The shelter must be made of durable material with a solid floor raised at least two inches from the ground. The entrance shall be covered by a flexible windproof material, self-closing swinging door, or wind baffle. Animals kept outdoors must be provided shelter, fresh water, and food. Owners keeping animals under inhumane conditions may be refused the right to keep animals on post and may be subject to UCMJ action under article 134. It is the owner's responsibility to locate escaped animals. Animal control will not search for your animal for you. The Ft. Bragg Animal Control (Dog Catcher) telephone number is 910-396-0391.

The Department of Defense (DoD) Corps has set official policy on types of dogs allowed in installation housing and other rules surrounding pets on base. You must read the Army Veterinary Command (VETCOM) Pet Policy Memo, dated 17 Feb 2009, before you plan your move, if you plan to live in government housing.