Shipping Pets

Members may bring pets to Izmir. If you plan to travel with a pet, notify your local Transportation Management Office and sponsor as early as possible during the permanent change of station process.

Review the Defense Personal Property System Country Guidance for Türkiye to identify current entry requirements and any pet restrictions. Pet owners are responsible for ensuring their pet’s documentation meets all airline and Turkish customs requirements. Requirements may include vaccination records, health certificates, identification documentation, and other entry paperwork. Below 

Pets may enter Türkiye through customs; however, pet-care services are not available at airport or other entry points. For this reason, shipping pets as cargo is not recommended. Travelers should plan to remain with and care for their pets throughout the travel and entry process.

Pet-friendly temporary lodging in Izmir may be limited. The Marriott is currently identified as a pet-friendly hotel; however, members should verify availability, pet policies, fees, and restrictions directly with the hotel before travel. Your sponsor can help with getting this information for you. 

Something to consider once in Izmir, pet ownership may affect available housing options. 

Pet support, the city has several English-speaking veterinary clinics, as well as pet-sitting services. Izmir also offers many outdoor areas suitable for walking dogs and is generally pet-friendly.

Additional resources for shipping your pet OCONUS:

• USDA for the latest information on documentation requirements of pets traveling to Türkiye: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-turkey
• Review Joint Travel Regulations entitlement for reimbursement of actual qualifying costs.
• The International Pet and Animal Transportation Association connects service members with commercial pet-shipping providers for a PCS to Türkiye, but members pay the provider’s costs. For more information on possible reimbursement, see your local Finance Office or TMO.
• Navy-Marine Corp Relief Society offers interest-free loans to cover the cost of moving a pet: https://www.nmcrs.org/press/entry/navy-marine-corps-relief-society-offers-assistance-with-pet-travel.
• Army Emergency Relief no-interest loans for moving a pet: https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/news/petassistance/.
• Air & Space Force Aid Society is offering grants and interest free loans to help cover cost associated with moving a pet: https://afas.org/how-we-help/standard-assistance.

Review County Guidance in DPS website for specific quarantine requirements for Izmir, Türkiye. Login into DPS at https://dps.move.mil/cust/standard/user/home.xhtml, once logged in find “Quick Reference Guides” on the top left, click and a drop down will appear. Hover over Shipment Information and another dropdown will appear. Select Consignment Guide. On that page find Country Instuctions on the top right and click on it. Next page, select box, choose Turkey and click search. Scroll down and find Pets/Quarantine. There you will can review current gudiance. Ensure you look for Izmir guidance.

For the latest requirements for entering Türkiye with your pet, please check the USDA for the latest information on documentation requirements of pets traveling to Türkiye: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/take-pet-to-foreign-country.

Several excellent veterinary services, pet boarding facilities, and kennels can be found in and around Izmir.

Be sure to notify your sponsor prior if you plan to bring your pet and request to have your lodging reservations at the Marriot. They are the only contracted hotel that accepts pets at this time.

You can find English-speaking veterinarians both in Izmir and in surrounding areas. Be sure to consult with your sponsor beforehand to obtain the latest information on bringing your family pet to Türkiye.