Shipping Pets

In order to obtain a dog license for your dog(s) in one of the Hampton Roads cities, a current rabies certificate is required. Additionally, documentation that your animal has been spayed or neutered is required in order to receive the reduced rate for a dog license. Licenses are purchased annually. They are valid for one (1) year, beginning January 1 and expire on December 31. Licenses for spayed dogs through out Hampton Roads cities run $5.00 to $7.00 and unsprayed dogs run $10.00 to $25.00, depending on the city in which you register your dog(s). The cities of Norfolk and Virginia Beach requires that all cats be licensed as well. A license for spayed cat(s) is $5.00 and unsprayed is $10.00. Dogs must be on a leash at all times while in public areas.

There is a maximum of two (2) pets (dogs or cats) permitted in government housing. Designated streets or units at Midway Manor do not allow pets. Units without rear fenced yards will not allow pets without prior permission from the housing authority. Barnyard or exotic pets (reptiles, ducks, rabbits, chickens, ferrets, etc.) are not allowed.

Airlines have various animal transport rules. If traveling by a civilian air carrier, please check with the airline well in advance of travel. 

For the health and safety of your animal(s) during periods of extreme temperatures, please consider these guidelines. The optimum temperature range for transporting most warm-blooded animals, including birds, is between 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Most civilian airlines will not transport your animal(s) if the actual or forecasted temperature exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit at any city on the routing.

AMC charter flights now ship pets on most of their flights as part of the normal service to DOD passengers. This service is provided to/from Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Panama, Newfoundland, the Azores, Guantanamo Bay, Japan, and Guam. Pet shipment is limited to passengers in a permanent change of station status only. Pets are defined as dogs and cats and restricted to a maximum of two pets per family.

There are limited pet spaces on all flights and reservations are handled on a first-come, first-served basis through the local transportation office. The passenger must provide an IATA-approved container for pet shipment, which is available at many exchanges or retail stores. The passenger is also responsible for complying with all required documentation, immunizations, and border clearance requirements and should be prepared to defray any associated costs. Pet(s) accompanying service or family members on the flight must be in a hard sided cage that conforms to specified measurement. Fees associated with shipping pets are based on the weight of the animal(s) and cage combined: 70lbs or less is $90.00, 71-140lbs is $180.00 and 141-150lbs is $270.00.

For information on booking flights with your pet(s), contact the Navy Personnel Transport Office. For general information on traveling with pet(s), contact the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or your nearest military veterinary clinic.

There are no pet quarantines in the state of Virginia for domestic pets, defined as cats and dogs. For quarantine requirements for all other animals or exotic animals, visit the USDA website. 

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.

https://www.travel.dod.mil/Support/ALL-FAQs/Article/3624131/pet-transportation-allowance/#:~:text=For%20moves%20within%20CONUS%2C%20the,050107

Looking for a hotel that will allow your pet(s) to stay with you? Check with the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce or PetsWelcome website. Making arrangements for boarding your pet(s) before you arrive will make the move less stressful on you as well as your pet(s). Keep in mind that military installations in the Hampton Roads area do not have boarding facilities. The cost of boarding your pet will be determined by the weight of the animal. The average cost for animals 50 pounds or less is $17 per night and animals over 50 pounds range from $18 to $40.00 per night. 

The Veterinary Treatment Facility is professionally staffed and operated by the Army Veterinary Corps personnel. For most overseas duty stations pet(s) are required to have microchips installed. The VTF's will install them for a fee of $20.00. Services are provided for: active duty, retired active duty personnel, their dependents and reservists serving on active duty. All services except over-the-counter purchases are made by appointment only.

The VTF offers the following services for small animals:

• Micro-chipping
• Immunizations
• Parasite control
• Health certificates
• Treatment of Zoonotic diseases

Due to the small waiting room and mixed animal population awaiting services, children have a high risk of being injured. For this reason, they regret that children 12 years of age and under will not be permitted in the facility while vaccination and sick call clinics are being held. Dogs must be on a leash, however, cats and other small animals must be in a cage or carrier at all times in the facility.

Local area VTFs:

• Naval Station Norfolk, 757-953-0350
• Langley Air Force Base, 757-764-5678
• Fort Eustis, 757-878-5824