Shipping Pets

Appointments are available weekly based on provider availability. You can reach the veterinary treatment facility at 907-361-3013.

All pets living on post must be registered with the VTF upon arrival in accordance with USAG-Alaska Regulations 210-11. No appointment is necessary to register pets at the VTF. Bring a copy of your pet’s vaccination records during normal business hours and the staff will issue your paperwork. On-post housing may limit the number and breed of pets that can live in on-post housing. Contact on-post housing for more information.

All pets (except small caged birds, mammals and fish) which are maintained in government quarters must be registered within three working days.

The Department of Defense has approved a new policy to cover pet travel expenses, like pet shipping or quarantine fees, incurred by Service members during a Permanent Change of Station (PCS). As of January 1, 2024, military Service members going through a PCS within the continental United States can be reimbursed up to $550 for one household pet, either cat or dog, and up to $2,000 for moves to or from a location outside the continental United States to cover costs related to the transportation of a pet.

The Services estimate that this new allowance may be used by an estimated 227,000 Service members. Historically, Service members paid the majority of out-of-pocket expenses to transport pets when assigned to a new duty station. This policy reduces that financial burden while recognizing the important role a pet plays in a military family's household.

If you take the time to plan in advance for the care of your pets and the additional expense that you will incur as a result, your move will be much easier for the whole family, especially the furry ones!

Pets must have a current health certificate that identifies the pet and states the dog/cat has been vaccinated against rabies. Call your post veterinary clinic or local community veterinarian for this certificate.

It can get cold here, so please remember this when making plans to bring your pets to Alaska. There are very strict guidelines and safety precautions to consider. If you are coming from a warm climate with a large dog that spends most or all of its time outside, the transition may be hard on everyone. It is dangerous to leave any pet outside for extended time periods in the extreme temperatures that we often experience here.

Air travel

You should be aware that many airlines restrict pet shipment due to extreme temperatures. Most will not fly a pet if it is more than 85 degrees or less than 20 degrees at any point of your trip. This covers a great deal of the year in Fairbanks so be sure to call in advance to ensure that your pets will be able to accompany you at the time that you are traveling. Also, be advised that airlines require that all animals have current vaccinations and a vet issued health certificate. The cost and availability will vary from one airline to another so do your homework.

Privately owned vehicle travel

If you are planning to drive to Alaska with a pet be aware that you will be required to present shot records and health certificates at the Canadian border. You may also want to call ahead and ensure that you can find lodging along the way that will permit pets. Most places will require an additional security deposit and charge a higher rate for pets.

Ferry travel

The Alaska Marine Highway System does permit pets on board, however there are restrictions. You must have a health certificate within 30 days of travel and there is a $35 fee charged per animal. Animals must be cared for by their owners and must remain on the car deck, inside the car or in a kennel. Owners may visit pets only when the vessel is in port, as passengers are not permitted on the car deck once underway.

For additional information, please visit: https://phc.amedd.army.mil/organization/Pages/VtfDetails.aspx?VtfID=3

There are very limited pet rooms available in on-post billeting. Reservations at IHG should be made as far in advance as possible. Please call 907-370-0951 for more information. 120 days are allowed for inbound personnel. An initial non-refundable pet fee of $75 will be charged to the guest's account upon arrival and starting from the 6th night, a daily pet fee in the amount of $7 will be charged. You will be limited to two pets in a room. As per post policy, no pet is allowed to be left tied to or inside of a vehicle. All pets must be secured in a kennel when the owner is not present in the room. Animals must be taken toward the wood line to use the restroom, regardless of weather conditions. Anyone who is caught with a pet in a room that is not authorized to have animals will be fined $100 and charged the additional pet fee for the days that they have stayed up to that point.

There is a list of off-post kennels available at the reception desk for those who wish to board their pets elsewhere or go to the Yellow Pages website and enter Kennels in Fairbanks or North Pole, AK. This option is usually less costly. We recommend that you visit any facility before you board your pet.

Shot record requirements may vary between each individual kennel. The Fort Wainwright Veterinary Treatment Facility can provide health certificates, immunizations and other minimum services, so call or stop by their office for more information and to check availability. Most services for pets are also available in the local community. You may refer to the Yellow Pages website for local veterinarians.

Quarantines

There are strict limitations on the importation and keeping of wild animals as pets. Contact the United States Department of Agriculture or State Department of Agriculture when attempting to move parrots and other birds into or through Canada. There are no quarantines for domestic animals such as dogs and cats coming into Alaska. You must have the normal veterinary health certificate before you can ship your pet by air or transport by auto into Canada. Pet transportation is by air or ground only and at owners expense.  A Service member may be authorized the reasonable and substantiated cost of mandatory microchipping, quarantine fees, boarding fees, hotel service charges, licensing fees at the new PDS, testing titer levels for entry, and pet shipping fees if the member flies rather than drives, or the pet is shipped separately from the member. For transoceanic travel, use of Government or Government[1] procured transportation must be used if available or reimbursement for transportation costs is not authorized. Reimbursement for the actual cost of all necessary expenses described above in connection with the movement of a pet is limited to $2,000 per PCS move. The expense would need to be claimed in Block 18 of the 1351-2 on their travel claim.

The Fort Wainwright Veterinary Treatment Facility is authorized to treat any privately owned pets. Animals can be seen for sick calls as well as routine check-ups. The VTF provides most vaccinations, health certificates, microchips and minor sick calls. They offer routine vaccinations and physical exams, neuters, spays, simple surgeries, health certificates for travel, deworming, laboratory services and medical care. Please call the VTF at 907-361-3013.

Due to the extreme cold weather in Alaska, many pets are not authorized to live outdoors year round. If you live on post and plan to leave your animal outside, you must obtain a cold weather certificate from the veterinary treatment facility. This certifies what temperature the animal can safely withstand outside. Please contact your airlines as soon as possible to inquire if your pets are allowed to travel with you or in the cargo area. A Service member may be authorized the reasonable and substantiated cost of mandatory microchipping, quarantine fees, boarding fees, hotel service charges, licensing fees at the new PDS, testing titer levels for entry, and pet shipping fees if the member flies rather than drives, or the pet is shipped separately from the member. For transoceanic travel, use of Government or Government[1]procured transportation must be used if available or reimbursement for transportation costs is not authorized. Reimbursement for the actual cost of all necessary expenses described above in connection with the movement of a pet is limited to $2,000 per PCS move. The expense would need to be claimed in Block 18 of the 1351-2 on their travel claim.