Shipping Pets

First, the customer must contact the transportation office, personnel movement branch to make flight reservations and will then be sent to SATO/Carlson for reservations. After the reservation is made customers make all travel arrangements for pets with the airline. Customer pays all fees in connection with travel. Cost of pet travel will vary, based on, but not limited to, weight of pet, airline, destination, and season. Pet travel can be costly. Once customer has secured a "reservation" for travel of the pet, on an authorized airline, they should notify the transportation office, personnel movement branch of the confirmation of the pet and then the ticket(s) can be cut. Once the flight has been secured for family travel, the customer can make payment arrangements for the pet with the airline.

Unfortunately, due to such limited space for pets on flights and all the various travel restrictions for pets, frequently families are not able to travel with their pets on the same flight. Personnel should fully prepare for this situation. In some cases, it can delay travel for the family, if they insist on flying with their pets. Non-availability of pet space DOES NOT authorize commercial flights when travel by Patriot Express is required and available.

Many airlines will not transport pets during the summer months, because of the excessive heat and during periods of extreme cold. Customers need to check these requirements through the airlines. They can obtain contact information for the airlines, through their local transportation office, or personnel movement branch, 803-751-7531/6053/6050.

Airlines have special allowances and restrictions regarding pet travel for active-duty military members traveling on PCS orders including, but not limited to pet size, weight, kennel size, etc.

Breed restrictions apply for country and state entry which should be in their orders. Check with your transportation assistant and your airline for specific details.

Service animals: Customers must provide airlines with medical documentation to support requests for service animals. Acceptance of the documentation and/or pet as a service animal is determined by the airline.

Patriot Express Flights - Customers traveling by Patriot Express are advised that pet space is very limited. If pet space is not available, customers may have to plan to pay for pet travel separately using a commercial pet shipping service. No more than two pets per family are permitted on Patriot Express. "In cabin" pet weight, with carrier, cannot exceed 10 pounds. Pets shipped as cargo cannot exceed 150 pounds including kennel. Breed restrictions apply and are generally the same as on commercial airlines. Pets are limited to cats and dogs only.

Quarantines

Quarantine requirements are based on the country. Customers can obtain specific information when they visit their transportation office. Families or service members traveling with pets can also visit the USDA website for specific vaccine and quarantine requiements at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel.

Remember 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. Call Veterinary Services at 803-751-7160 for more information. Below are boarding facilities close to the installation. You can look online or call boarding facilities to find out hours of operation and cost.

Boarding Facilities:

• Cat Clinic‎ - 4600 Trenholm Rd., Columbia, SC‎; 803-787-2445‎
• Shandon-Wood Animal Hospital - 912 Daly St., Columbia, SC‎; 803-254-9257‎
• Dog Daze‎ - 1241 Veterans Rd., Columbia, SC‎; 803-695-0091‎
• Forest Acres Animal Hospital - 3327 Forest Dr., Columbia, SC; 803-738-1515‎
• Camp Bow Wow - 655 Superior St., Columbia, SC; 803-748-4544‎

Pet Friendly Hotels

The Staybridge Suites is a pet friendly hotel with plenty of "grassy" area for pets to enjoy as well as the beautiful Riverfront Park one block away for dog walking.

The Veterinary Treatment Facility provides limited medical care for pets by appointment only. Such care includes immunizations, laboratory tests, medication, wellness, sick call, and health certificate exams. The clinic offers routine surgeries such as spay, neuter, and small mass removal as well as dental cleanings and other oral surgeried on a space available basis. In comparison to veterinary clinics off post, we are more cost effective.

Services are authorized for members who are active-duty, retired, 100% disabled veterans, reserve, National Guard, and dependents. DoD card holders who do not have a DOD benefits number or also fall into those categories are not authorized services. Army Regulation 40-905 prohibits services to any member participating in support of commercial operations that breed or raise animals for sale or profit. This includes male studs, breeding bitches and unplanned litters.

Soldiers and their families living off-post are expected to adhere to their respective city/county ordinances regarding licensing of pets.

Pets Residing On Post

All dogs and cats living on post must be registered and microchipped. Rabies vaccines are required for both cats nd dogs. Other required vaccinations are distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus (DAPP, DHPP, or DAPv) for dogs, and panleukopenia, calici virus and upper respiratory viruses (FVRCP) for cats. Rabies vaccines are required for both cats and dogs. Dogs must be tested annually for heartworms and be maintained on monthly heartworm prevention year round. It is recommended, but not required, that dogs residing on the installation be vaccinated against leptospirosis, and that cats be vaccinated against feline leukemia.

On Post Registration

Pet owners living on the installation must register their animals within five working days of their arrival or of obtaining a new pet. This should be done at the Fort Jackson Veterinary Clinic, Building 2445D at the end of Knight Avenue. To register your pet, please contact 803-751-7160 or 803-751-3630 or send an email to: fortjaxpets@gmail.com. Fort Jackson VTS can Not verify breeds of any pets living on post.