Shipping Pets

If you live on base, you must register your pet at the base vet clinic, have a current rabies certificate, and keep all shots current. If you have any questions contact the Base Vet Clinic for details at 843-963-1738, DSN 312-673-1738 or through email at CharlestonVTF@gmail.com. You are required to have a current rabies certificate and micro chip for each pet. If you live on base, a maximum of two domestic animals are permitted per Privatized home. Fish tanks and bird cages count as one animal each. Fish tanks require liability insurance. Exotic pets are not permitted - only dogs, cats, birds, or fish. The following breeds are considered aggressive and may not be permitted: Akita, American Bull Dog, Chow, Doberman, Great Dane, Alaskan Malamute, Pit Bull, Perro De Casa Canarios, Siberian Huskies, and Rottweiler. For more information contact Hunt Privatized Housing at 843-768-3300 or JBCContact@huntcompanies.com or visit the Air Force Housing website to find out more particulars about pets in base housing.

In the local community, the number and types of pets vary by county, town, and in some cases by individual housing developments, so be sure to check local restrictions. As a general rule, dogs and cats must receive rabies vaccinations and dogs are not allowed to run off-leash on any public property. Some of the local parks have "dog play areas" that allow pets to roam without a leash. More and more locations throughout the metro Charleston area have become dog friendly in recent years.

Various U. S. Government Agencies have rules for pet imports, especially the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and units of U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA). Neither USDA nor CDC requires a health certificate for routine pet imports, but CDC requires proof of Rabies Vaccination. CDC also has rules concerning other imported animals. Please review CDC's Frequently Asked Questions concerning which animals can be imported. Animals mentioned on this page include, but is not limited to, horses, cats, turtles, bats, birds, snakes fish, monkeys, civets, rodents, rabbits and others.

Each state has its' own requirements for health and/or rabies vaccination certification.

There are companies that specialize in transporting pets. These businesses are licensed and inspected by USDA/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS's) Animal Care Unit. Many of the licensed animal transporters are listed on the member pages of the International Pet Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) web pages. Those not listed on that member site can be found in the yellow pages or via a web search. Airlines also have various animal transport rules. If traveling by air, please check with the airline well in advance of travel.

USDA standards for shipping dogs and cats can be found in Part 3, Standards of the Animal Welfare Regulations. See sections 3.13 through 3.19.

Pet Shipping Tips
• Precondition your pet prior to the airline travel by letting them spend time in their travel crate/carrier.
• Keep your pet calm before, during and after the flight.
• Ensure your pet is healthy and is seen by his/her vet prior to the travel. This is required by the airline. If a pet is on medications for a condition, be sure the pet is well stabilized before air travel.
• Ensure your pet has comfortable bedding. This is especially important for elderly pets.
• Water is essential before, during, and after the flight for hydration.
• Do not feed your pet immediately prior to the flight.
• Exercise your dog prior to the trip to the airport. Try to have a good bathroom break.
• Use an approved pet carrier with no hard objects in the cage other than a water container.
• Consult your vet before sedating your pet. Some airlines now have adopted policy to refuse shipment of a sedated animal. Check with your carrier before departing.
• Allow enough time to get to the airport without rushing. This can cause stress to you and your pets, and if you are late checking in the airline can refuse to accept your pet.

There is no quarantine in South Carolina for pets arriving from overseas locations as long as the pet owner is in possession of a valid veterinarian' certificate that states the pet has no diseases, and proof that the pet has current rabies inoculations. Quarantines, if required, are done in your own home.

PCSing with pets overseas: Make sure your pet is fully vaccinated prior to departure and follow proper quarantine stipulations for the overseas location.

There are several pet boarding facilities in the vicinity of Joint Base Charleston. There is no pet boarding on Joint Base Charleston. Remember, it is a good idea to make advance reservations for pet boarding as soon as you know your arrival date. Most kennels have different vaccination requirements including kennel cough vaccines, so call in advance of delivering a pet for boarding. The average cost to board a dog is $40 per night, with rates ranging from $25 to $75 depending on the size of the dog. Cats are approximately $15. Rates are subject to change, so be sure to ask for current rates.

A horse stable is located at the JB Charleston Weapons Station location. For more information, contact Marrington Stables at marrington.plantation@gmail.com.

The Joint Base Charleston Veterinary Treatment Facility provides animal care as a service to active duty military, their dependents, and retirees. The mission of the clinic is to provide protection for our troops and animals from infectious diseases, including those passed from animals to humans. To achieve this mission, the clinic offers vaccinations, heartworm prevention, flea control products, microchip implants and will treat infectious diseases to pet owners of active duty personnel. There are fees for these services. Another service is health certificates for Permanent Change of Station (PCS). To schedule appointments, register pets, and ask questions, you may send an email to CharlestonVTF@gmail.com; please provide servicemember's name, pet's name, and a good contact phone number in the email correspondence.

While the veterinary clinic is dedicated to the care of all personally-owned animals, this service is not the main mission of the veterinarian. Doctors commissioned in the Army Veterinary Corps staff military veterinary clinics. The mission of the Vet Corps is to maintain a safe food supply for our soldiers and to provide complete medical care for our four-legged soldiers, the military working dogs. For more info, contact the vet clinic at (843) 963-1738.