Joint Base Elmendorf - Richardson JBER  Moving

Traveling with pets

There are no pet quarantine requirements for Alaska. 

• Pets by Air: Many airlines restrict pet shipment due to extreme temperatures. Most will not transport pets if it is more than 85 degrees or less than 20 degrees. Airlines require pets have current shots and a health certificate. Contact the airline for the most current up to date information concerning your pets.
• Pets by Land: If travelling via ALCAN, your pet will need a 30 day health certificate. Some lodging facilities will allow you to keep your pets in your room but you may have to pay additional fees. Visit http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/imports/policies/live-animals/pets/eng/1326600389775/1326600500578
• Pets by Sea: Animals may be transported on AMHS vessels, but are restricted to the car deck. They must be properly contained in an approved carrier or be transported in a vehicle and accompanied by an adult passenger. Animals are transported at the owner's risk and all state of Alaska regulations must be met prior to animals entering the state. http://www.dot.alaska.gov/amhs/policies.shtml
• Pets on Post: Some breeds are not allowed on the installation. Visit https://www.auroramilitaryhousing.com/residents/pets/.

Please note pet-friendly rooms in Temporary Lodging Facility (TLF) are extremely limited at JBER.

JBER Lodging has limited pet units available by reservation only, at an additional $10 per night charge. Shot records for pets are required to reserve these rooms. Guests are reminded to clean up after their registered pets. Unregistered animals are not allowed in or around lodging properties. Any animal found tied outside or left unattended in a vehicle will be reported to Security Forces for removal. Guests may be charged up to a $150.00 fee for having an unregistered pet in lodging, or for damages caused by registered pets. Do Not Disturb signs will not be honored in pet units  after 1100 as we are required to enter pet units daily per AFI 34-135 1.5.3 and 1.6.2

The JBER Lodging office can provide you with a list of local hotels that will allow pets (the number of hotels/motels which allow pets is limited), you will need to request a waiver to stay in these hotels if there is availability in TLF in order for these expenses to be reimbursed by the military. 

You can choose to board your pet while you stay in TLF. There are no kennels on JBER; however, there are kennels in the local area, TLF can provide a list of kennels per your request, or you can research via Internet/local yellow pages for a list of kennels and costs associated.  Boarding fees vary, but are usually based on the number and size of the pet.

Pets Entering Canada:

Domestic dogs and cats may be imported through Canada provided each animal is accompanied by a certificate issued by a licensed Canadian or US veterinarian which identifies the animal and certifies that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies.

Transporting Pets on the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS):

Pets may travel on AMHS vessels, but they must have a health certificate no more than 30 days old to travel into Alaska from another state. Animals traveling through Canada are required to have proof of current rabies vaccination. Most health certificates issued by veterinarians will include verification of current rabies vaccination.

Pets must remain on the car decks of all AMHS vessels, and be cared for by their owners. This means they must stay either in vehicles or in suitable containers (not provided by AMHS), which must also remain on the car decks.

Owners may visit their pets on the car deck only while vessels are in port. Due to United States Coast Guard regulations, passengers are not allowed on the car deck while vessels are underway, unless accompanied by an AMHS employee. Accompanied pet calls are announced by the purser approximately three times a day between Bellingham and Ketchikan, and between Juneau and Valdez.

Canadian regulations for transporting pets:  http://inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/imports/policies/live-animals/pets/eng/1326600389775/1326600500578

You will be required to have a health certificate to cross the Canadian border and/or the ferry. The health certificate will expire 30 days from date of issue. Click on link for US state regulations: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel

Traveling via vehicle (ALCAN):

You will be required to have a pet health certificate to cross the Canadian border. The health certificate will expire 30 days from date of issue. Click on link for US state regulations: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel

Canadian regulations for transporting pets:  http://inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/imports/policies/live-animals/pets/eng/1326600389775/1326600500578

Traveling by Airplane:

You will be required to have a health certificate and letter(s) of acclimation in order to place your pet in cargo or under seat travel.

In Alaska during the winter time many airlines will not fly a pet when the temperature reaches below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to check with your airline to see what their regulations state.

In the summer time some airlines will not fly to certain locations in the lower 48 due to extreme heat restrictions. Be sure to check the airlines regulations and plan accordingly. 

PET CARRIERS:

• Ensure the carrier is sturdy and leak proof
• Ensure the animal has enough room to turn around comfortably
• Place absorbent bedding in the bottom
• Label the crate with name and address of pet's destination. It is also advisable to attach a copy of health certificates and rabies vaccination certificates to the outside of crate. 

Click on link for US state regulations: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel

JBER Temporary Lodging Facility (TLF):

JBER has a very limited number of pet Temporary Lodging Facility (TLF) rooms.

If you secure a Pet-Friendly TLF room: No more than 2 pets are allowed and only cats and dogs. Pets must have a valid health certificate no older than 30 days old, be secured in an owner-provided kennel while unattended in guestrooms and during housekeeping or maintenance service, and be leashed at all times when outside the guestroom. Pet fees apply. Pet owners are responsible to adhere to all policies issued at check in. If Lodging is booked, ask for a list of off post Kennel facilities and/or local pet friendly hotels.

JBER Housing:

If you plan to live on JBER in  Housing, you are allowed up to two domestic pets per household. For more information on pets, call (907) 753-1023 or (907) 753-1024.

Dogs and cats on base must be registered with JBER-Richardson Veterinary Services, between Fifth and Sixth streets on Old Davis Highway. The clinic provides privately owned pets with limited preventive care, such as vaccinations and diagnosis of zoonotic diseases, those transmittable from animals to people. To make an appointment, call (907) 384-2865.

Total veterinary care for non-zoonotic diseases, injuries, pregnancy, spaying and neutering is referred to clinics off base. Off-base dogs must be licensed through the Animal Care and Control Shelter, 4711 Elmore Rd. The phone number is (907) 343-8118 or visit online. Proof of rabies vaccination is required for registration on base and licensing off base.

Animals on base must be restrained at all times while outdoors, either on a leash or chained in the yard. To avoid problems with mail delivery, don't tie your pet near walkways or mailbox areas.