Shipping Pets

Currently, there is no veterinary care available for pets on Fort Buchanan. There are no license requirements for house pets. Vaccinations must be up to date, within six months of arrival. For questions about moving with your pet, contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture webpage: USDA APHIS | Taking a pet from one U.S. State/Territory to another U.S. State/Territory (Interstate).

Pet Travel and Quarantine

All animals coming into Puerto Rico must have a health certificate and a current rabies vaccination completed by a veterinarian, which certifies that the animal is free from infectious and contagious diseases. They must also have an active microchip that was implanted on the day of or prior to the rabies vaccination. Both the rabies certificate and the health certificate must be signed in blue ink by your veterinarian.

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico has established animal importation rules that are like those of the U.S. In general, these rules are designed to prevent the accidental introduction of animal diseases that have been eradicated from Continental U.S. Pets moving to Puerto Rico must comply with regulations from both the USDA as well as those of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. You can find further information on the USDA APHIS website: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/state-to-state. For pets moving to CONUS from PR and the U.S. Virgin Islands, visit https://www.aphis.usda.gov/traveling-with-ag-products/puerto-rico-usvi.

If your pet is traveling from outside of the United States, or OCONUS, it is required to have a Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture import permit, a health certificate and an up-to-date rabies vaccination as proof that the animal did not originate from a rabies quarantined area. Additional information can be found on the USDA APHIS website: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel.

To prevent the spread of avian diseases to birds in Puerto Rico, exotic bird regulations are stricter than that of dogs and cats. All birds brought to Puerto Rico must have an import permit issued by the PRDA State Animal Health Officer and an official health certificate stating that the bird is free of symptoms associated with psittacosis, Chlamydia psittacine, Avian Influenza and Newcastle disease (requires testing), and the bird did not originate from an area under quarantine from these diseases.

Birds that were not originally obtained in the U.S. are required to undergo a 30-day quarantine at a USDA animal import facility. The nearest facility to Puerto Rico is in Miami, Florida. Pet birds accompanied by proof of U.S. origination (including health certificate and leg band) can enter Puerto Rico without quarantine.

Other animals such as reptiles, rabbits and small rodents will need a current health certificate and import permits to enter Puerto Rico from OCONUS.

Any animal traveling from OCONUS that enters Puerto Rico and is found to be diseased will be returned to the point of origin or euthanized.

Boarding

Early planning is very important to ensure a space for your pets at a local kennel. Reservations should be made at least one month in advance. Deposits will be required to hold reservation. All kennels listed below meet standards. The U.S. Army Veterinary Services cannot take responsibility for animals while boarded.

• Wildane Kennels, 787-717-2558
• De Varona Center, 787-338-0040
• PetSmart, 787-774-1370

The Holiday Inn Express-El Caney Lodge in Fort Buchanan, has two deluxe pet-friendly rooms with $75 deposit (not refundable for the first seven (7) nights) Call to make reservations at 787-792-7977.

Dangerous Dog Laws

A law passed in Puerto Rico in 2018 now allows the possession of pit bulls, American Staffordshire Terriers and all breed crosses. So far there is no ordinance against them on post. According to the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources (787-999-2200, x2910/2911), all exotic pets such as snakes, birds, reptiles, etc., must have pre-approval before coming into the island. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture webpage: USDA APHIS | Taking a pet from one U.S. State/Territory to another U.S. State/Territory (Interstate).

Shipping Pets

Please note that all pets arriving at the airport will be collected by the cargo area of the traveling airline.

Follow the instructions for import shipping of pets from a foreign country to a U.S. territory at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/live-animal-import.

1. All dogs and cats entering Puerto Rico shall be accompanied by both of the following:
   • An official health certificate stating that the animal did not originate from an area quarantined for rabies
   • An official certificate of veterinary inspection signed by an accredited veterinarian in the state or territory of origin, which will be valid for 30 days from the inspection date
2. You must complete USDA APHIS form 7001, which can be used for interstate and international purpose.
3. All dogs and cats over 4 months of age must be vaccinated against rabies within six months prior to the date of shipment and shall be properly identified and accompanied by a certificate of vaccination against rabies.
4. Pets must receive treatment for external parasites within 72 hrs. prior to entry and so stated on the health certificate by the accredited veterinarian.
5. Pets must have an official individual identification (microchip or a collar with metallic ID Tag).
6. An import permit is required prior to shipment of the animals or birds. Dogs and cats do not need a PRDA import permit for interstate movement.
7. All applications for an import permit must be directed to the State Animal Health Officer and the following information must be included:
   • Name and address of consignor and consignee
   • Species and number of animals
   • Exact description of the animals or birds including an official individual identification (dogs and cats’ microchip or collar with metallic ID tags) age, sex, and race
   • Point of origin
   • The date and results of laboratory or another test
   • Dates of vaccinations and vaccines administered
   • Proposed date of shipment
   • Destination and local address
   • Means of transportation
   • Reason for shipment and use of animals
   • A health certificate stating that the animals are free of symptoms of infectious or contagious diseases or have been exposed to any diseases

For animals that originate from outside of the United States or its territories, Federal Import Regulations are in effect. For more information, please go to: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/.

Livestock, Poultry, Birds and Other Animals

All livestock, poultry, birds, and other animals entering Puerto Rico under permit shall be consigned to an individual who is a resident of Puerto Rico.

1. Any livestock, poultry, birds, or other animals that enter the territory of Puerto Rico, which is found to be affected, a carrier of or been recently exposed to any infectious, contagious, or communicable disease, shall be returned to its point of origin or destroyed and disposed of as directed by the Office of Veterinary Services & Animal Health of the PRDA or an authorized representative, at the expense of the owner or importer.
2. The Government of Puerto Rico in no way shall render any compensation for any animals so destroyed.
3. Contact the PRDA-SAHO office for information on import permit requests and charges.

Pet Transportation Reimbursement

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, a reimbursement is authorized to cover expenses directly related to pet transportation of up to $550 for a PCS within the continental United States and up $2,000 for a PCS to and from a location outside the continental United States, such as pet shipping and quarantine fees.

1. A household pet is defined as a dog or cat owned for personal companionship. Service members are responsible for following the rules for importing and exporting a pet to and from the U.S. to be eligible for reimbursement. Denial of entry could result in a denial of reimbursement.
2. Only one dog or cat is authorized for reimbursement per move.
3. CONUS moves: The reimbursement includes microchipping, boarding fees, hotel service charges for the animal, licensing fees at the new duty station and pet shipping fees if the member flies instead of driving – or if the pet is transported separately from the member.
4. OCONUS moves: The same applies, but reimbursements are also made for testing of titer levels for entry. A titer is a laboratory test that measures the presence and number of antibodies in blood. A titer may be used to prove immunity to disease. If the test is positive - above a particular known value - the pet has immunity.

Additionally, for transoceanic travel, use of government or government-procured transportation must be used if available. Otherwise, reimbursement for transportation costs is not authorized.

1. The Army Emergency Relief plans to continue its program for assistance to service members for pet transportation costs, which began last year.
2. The assistance cap from AER is $5,500 regardless of the number of pets, The assistance from AER is provided via a zero-interest bridge loan or a grant.

For comprehensive information on moving with pets, visit: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/moving-pcs/plan-to-move/moving-with-pets.