Kadena AB  Moving

The Government of Japan determines the length of quarantine period for any pets arriving in Japan. Again, animals that satisfy all of the requirements are typically allowed to complete a "home quarantine", during which time the animal is required to be kept under the owner's direct control (kept indoors or kept on a hand-held leash when outdoors). Pets that do not meet the import requirements will be kept in a quarantine facility at the owner's expense. It is recommended that all pet entry documentation, as well as the pet's medical record, be kept available for reference should any questions arise during travel and entry processing.

Owners must make arrangements for transport through local Traffic Management Office. There is no local pick-up service available to receive pet. It is recommended that pet be transported on same carrier as owner, since the cost is considerably less than if traveling alone. Government carrier only allows two pets per owner depending on size of both pet(s) and carrier. For more information please visit this website.

The Karing Kennels, operated by the 18th Force Support Squadron, offers several services besides adoption including, boarding and AMC transportation. For a fee, the kennels will even open after hours to accommodate people arriving to the island with their pet if needed.

Fees are $120.00/wk for dogs ($20.00/day) and $90.00/wk for cats ($15.00/day); $180.00/wk for two dogs - in same kennel ($30.00/day), and $150.00/week for two cats - in a double kennel ($25.00/day).

Animal Control (FOSTER) DSN: 99-03-4580-0135,  Dial 6-7339(8)
Animal Control (KADENA) DSN: 315-966-7339(8)

If you are bringing a pet, you should have your sponsor make reservations as soon as possible with Karing Kennels. With new importation requirements, animals entering Japan must satisfy all importation requirements. Those who satisfy all requirements are typically allowed to complete a "home quarantine." Pets must be kept only at Karing Kennels, on-base housing, or at the Naha Quarantine facility. NO off-base boarding is authorized during this quarantine period.

Pet owners are authorized to arrange quarantine quarters on base with an on-base "foster family," provided the animal is kept from having contact with any other animals. They must be kept under strict leash control and only allowed outside to eliminate. Pets under quarantine are not allowed to be taken for walks around the neighborhood or to be left outside in a fenced yard. For more information go to www.kadenafss.com/family/karing-kennels

The U.S. Army Okinawa Branch Veterinary Treatment Facility is a full service veterinary clinic offering medical, surgical, and emergency care. It is located on Kadena AB in Bldg. 731. Veterinary care is authorized for animals owned by persons eligible to receive medical care from the Department of Defense. A valid SOFA status identification card is required before services will be performed. The Vet Clinic provides care to over 9,000 pets owned by members of all military services and numerous federal agencies.

All US SOFA status personnel stationed on Okinawa must register their pet with the Vet Clinic. Registration of all animals is required within 72 business hours of arrival on Okinawa. All dogs, cats, and ferrets must be microchipped and must be vaccinated annually against rabies virus. Personnel living on a military base may have up to two pets (two dogs, two cats, or one dog & one cat). Breeding of pets, intentional or accidental, is prohibited. Personnel found to be breeding pets stationed on Okinawa will not be authorized veterinary care through Okinawa Veterinary Services. Personnel breeding animals on base may be removed from family housing.

All US SOFA personnel in Japan residing off-base with pets must register their pets with their local city government office. The initial registration fee is approximately ¥3000. An annual ¥550 rabies vaccination tag is also required for dogs and cats living off-base. The registration and rabies tag must be attached to the dog collar. The list of city offices in Okinawa can be obtained at the Vet Clinic.

For more information please call the Vet Clinic: calling from any United States phone number 1-512-672-7339 or calling from a Japanese cell phone or home phone at 036-868-2263 or visit their website www.facebook.com/OkinawaVeterinaryActivity or Email: okinawavetclinic@gmail.com karingkennels@kadenafss.com

Shipment of pets (dogs and cats) as excess baggage accompanying the member in PCS travel may be accomplished by requesting category "B" travel. Advance reservations are required for pets and should be requested at the same time the PCS port call is being requested. There is no entitlement for shipment of pets at Government expense.

Owners must make arrangements for transport through local Traffic Management Office. There is no local pick-up service available to receive pet. It is recommended that pet be transported on same carrier as owner, since the cost is considerably less than if traveling alone. Government carrier only allows two pets per owner depending on size of both pet(s) and carrier.

Pet Restrictions for Unaccompanied Personnel

Unaccompanied members E-5 and below are not authorized to ship pets as they are prohibited in unaccompanied dormitories. The only pets authorized in the dormitories are fish. All unaccompanied E-6s and above, please check with your local TMO regarding the shipment of pets.

Importation Requirements

Vaccinations -- Dogs or cats must have documentation to prove their pet has had at least two rabies vaccinations at some point in their life.

• The most recent vaccination must have been given not less than 30 days and not more than 12 months prior to entry into Japan. In other words, the most recent vaccination should not be more than a year old, but has to be at least 30 days old. You must have a rabies vaccination certificate (DD Form 2208, Rabies Vaccination Certificate) as proof of the most recent vaccination.
• The dates for the two most recent vaccinations must be annotated on the health certificate (MDJ 2209, Veterinary Health Certificate for Import/Export for Japan).

Microchipping -- All dogs and cats must FIRST obtain a microchip prior to rabies vaccinations and FAVN testing. All animals must have an implanted microchip before arrival in Japan. The microchip must be ISO-compatible. HomeAgain and AVID microchips are acceptable. The microchip number must be annotated on the Rabies Certificate, the Health Certificate, and on the FAVN test result form. 

Fluorescent Antibody Viral Neutralization (FAVN) Test -- This is a blood test which shows the level of rabies antibodies in the animal's bloodstream. It is basically used to prove that the animal is protected against rabies. The titer level must be greater than or equal to 0.5 IU/mL to be acceptable. The FAVN test results are good for two years. The microchip number must be annotated on the FAVN test result form to be accepted.

Advance Notification -- The pet owner must have approval from the Government of Japan to bring the pet into the country. The request for permission is made as soon as the pet's transportation arrangements have been scheduled. The advance notification form must be approved by the Government of Japan and returned to you for use when your pet boards the flight to Japan. The airline may not allow your pet to board the plane without this form. Furthermore, Japan may not allow your pet to enter the country without this form. The advance notification form is found on the Japan District Veterinary Command (JDVC) website. The form must be submitted to the port of entry (not the final destination) either by fax or regular mail. Addresses and fax numbers for Government of Japan ports of entry may be found in the Japan web site under Additional Resources.  Note: As of the date of printing, if the animal is arriving through an AMC terminal at Kadena Air Base or Yokota Air Base, advance notification is not needed. 

Health Certificate -- Every animal must have a health certificate with them at the time of entry. The health certificate is only valid for 10 days, and so must be obtained within 10 days of the date of the pet's travel. Please remember that animals traveling from the mainland United States will cross the international date line and "lose a day" by the time they arrive in Japan. The MDJ Form 2209 (Veterinary Health Certificate for Import/Export for Japan) may be completed by a military veterinarian. The MDJ Form 2209 may be found on the Japan District Veterinary Command (JDVC) website.

USDA Certification -- If a health certificate is issued by a civilian veterinarian, the health certificate and the rabies certificate must be certified by a USDA State Veterinarian and embossed with the USDA raised seal. Health certificates issued by military veterinarians using MDJ Form 2209 do not require USDA certification.

Age Requirement -- The Government of Japan strongly discourages the importation of dogs and cats under the age of 12 months. Pets under the age of 12 months can be imported but must start with a 180 day quarantine period. Quarantine may be reduced if the requirements continue to be accomplished while the animal is in quarantine. Primary emphasis is placed on microchipping, two rabies vaccinations (the first at 91 days of age followed by a second one no less than 30 days after the first), and the FAVN test which must be drawn no less than 30 days after the second rabies vaccination.

MDJ Form 270 (Pet Quarantine and Examination Certificate; 2 copies) -- All SOFA status personnel entering Japan are required to complete a MDJ 270. The form may be downloaded from the Japan DVC website and completed prior to arrival in Japan. You are required to submit the form to your US Military Veterinary Treatment Facility within 72 hours of entry into Japan. Find more information on the steps at https://www.aphis.usda.gov