Shipping Pets

All dogs must have the Bordetella vaccine about 14 days before admittance, as well as rabies and distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvovirus vaccines. Cats need a rabies vaccine and the feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia vaccine. Owners must show proof of the vaccinations. Kennels also check for fleas upon registering your pet.

Licenses are required for all dogs, not cats. A license costs $20 and it is a requirement for all dogs and cats that live in the city of Los Angeles to be neutered or spayed with few exceptions. Rabies certificate and certificate of sterilization can be obtained from a veterinarian. Make sure you hand carry your pet's vaccination records. For more information, Please visit the Los Angeles Animal Services website.

There are no pet quarantines in California.

Travel with pets requires extra research and planning. Consider the overall health and age of the animal, additional expenses for travel, lodging/kennels and deposits. If traveling by car, determine in advance which hotels along the way will accept pets. Petswelcome.com provides a roadmap that will guide you to hotels that accept pets along your route. Some families find it best to stay at campgrounds, rather than hotels.

If traveling by car, take some local trips with your cat or dog first to see how they react to the car. You may wish to discuss motion sickness medication with your veterinarian prior to traveling. Pets should be trained to sit, not to hang out the window. Also take frequent stops for exercising — it's good for you, too. Cats and dogs may be more comfortable in portable kennels. Never leave a pet locked in a car for any length of time.

If traveling by air, additional considerations include airline travel rules (size, type/health of the animal, cage requirements, total number of animals allowed in cargo and in the cabin per flight, etc.) and expenses — the government does not pay to transport animals! A significant factor affecting families wishing to transport pets by air is the temperature. There are rules regarding air transport of animals during times of extreme hot and cold temperatures (at departure and arrival points, as well as at stops). Check with your airline, and the Traffic Management Office for information and rules regarding pets and air travel.

Most airlines only allow a limited number of pets in cargo per flight. Crates for air travel need to have solid sides with room for a blanket, favorite toys and a water dish. Start taking your pet for short trips in the crate about a month before your departure. Clip your pet's nails so they won't get caught in the crate. Be sure your name and address is on the outside of the crate, and keep medical records with you.

There is no temporary lodging (billeting) at Los Angeles AFB or Ft MacArthur. 

Check the internet and the Yellow Pages for kennels close to Los Angeles Air Force Base. One source is the Insider Pages Website to search for kennels in El Segundo, San Pedro or other cities. These referrals are not endorsed by LAAFB and are meant for suggestions only: Kennel Club LAX north of LAAFB, 310-338-9166; Pet Smart in Torrance, 310-316-9047; Whiskers N Tails Inc, Gardena (8 miles east of LAAFB), 310-532-0860; VCA Kennel Club Resort & Spa, Torrance, 310-539-2201.

There are no veterinary services on base. It should be fairly easy to search the internet for the closest ones in your location. It's possible you may be able to download a smart phone app to assist you as well.

Ferrets, gerbils and some other animals are not sold in the state of California. Please review the state's laws for any pets that may be out of the ordinary prior to your move to California.