Fort Jackson  Moving

First, the customer must contact the personnel movements branch, for a list of authorized airlines, used for government travel. Customers make all travel arrangements for pets. 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 flight information. They will make travel arrangements for the customer and/or family members on the same flight. Once the flight has been secured for family travel, the customer can make payment arrangements for the pet.     

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.  Check with 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 make arrangements to pay for pet travel separately using a commercial pet shipping service.  No more than 2 pets per family are permitted on Patriot Express.  "In cabin" pet weight, with carrier, cannot exceed 16 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. There is no quarantine laws/regulation, on and off the installation.

Remember that 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 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 -- 4039 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
• Elam Animal Hospital -- 3327 Forest Dr Columbia, SC; 803-738-1515‎
• Sarah & Susie's Grooming‎ -- 4718 Forest Dr # B Columbia, SC‎; 803-738-9556 (Outdoor Kennel Only).  If your dog is used to being indoor, this would not be a good match.‎

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 (VTF) 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. We aim to offer competitive pricing compared to off post facilities.

Soldiers and their families living off-post also need to review local ordinances regarding the supervision and upkeep of family pets.

Active duty, retirees, 100% disabled veterans, Reserve, National Guard, and any other ID card holder with military affiliation are eligible to utilize on post services.

All dogs and cats living on post must be registered, and a current rabies vaccination is required. Dogs must be up to date for distemper, hepatitis and parvo virus vaccine with the period designated by their veterinarian. Dogs require yearly heartworm testing and must be on monthly heartworm prevention. Leptospirosis vaccine is not required, however may be recommended by your veterinarian. Cats must be up to date for pan leukopenia and upper respiratory diseases with the period designated by their veterinarian. It is recommended that indoor/outdoor cats be vaccinated annually for feline leukemia.

All dogs and cats living on post must also be microchipped: if this procedure is done off-post, the microchip number must be reported to the VTF and filed in the animal's record. Cost of the procedure is $25.

On Post Registration

Pet owners living on the installation must register their animals within five (5) working days of their arrival. This should be done at the Fort Jackson Veterinary Clinic, Building 2445 at the end of Knight Avenue. To register your pet, proof of rabies vaccination and microchip is required.