Fort Jackson  Moving

First, the customer must contact Transportation 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 of 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 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 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. 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.
• Wescott Acres Pet Resort – 6005 Wescott Rd Columbia, SC; 803-681-2692
• Camp Bow Wow – 55 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! 

Fort Jackson Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF)

The Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF) provides limited medical care for pets of authorized patrons which include Active duty, Retirees, 100% disabled veterans, Reserve, and National Guard.  Services are provided by appointment only, Monday through Friday, 0800 to 1600.  The VTF is closed in observance of all Federal Holidays.  Veterinary care services available includes wellness exams, sick call exams, health certificate exams, immunizations, microchipping, laboratory tests, medication dispensing, and preparation for overseas permanent change of station (PCS) with pets.  Emergency services are not available at the Fort Jackson VTF.

As a result of COVID-19, we are currently providing care via curb-side service. Unless explicitly approved by the Veterinary Corps Officer-in-Charge, owners are not authorized access to the VTF during their pet’s veterinary care services.   Please also note that due to COVID-19 post access restrictions, only active duty patrons and/or their dependents are authorized entry on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Pets Residing On Post

All dogs and cats living on post must be registered, have proof of a current rabies vaccination, and have a microchip for permanent identification.  Microchip information should be updated with the company with which it is registered upon relocation.

Dogs must be up to date on distemper, hepatitis and parvo virus vaccines within 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 panleukopenia and upper respiratory diseases within the period designated by their veterinarian. It is recommended that indoor/outdoor cats be vaccinated annually for feline leukemia virus and receive monthly heartworm prevention.  Due to the abundance of wildlife on the installation, we do not recommend allowing your cat to venture outdoors unattended.

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 Treatment Facility, Building 2445-D at the end of Knight Avenue, via phone (803-751-7160), or by email (fortjaxpets@gmail.com).

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