Luke AFB  Moving

If you live on base you are required by regulation to register your animal with Veterinary Services at building 1146  within ten working days of your arrival.

All dogs over the age of four months are required to be licensed in Maricopa County. You will be required to provide a certificate from your veterinarian verifying required rabies shots and whether or not the animal has been spayed/neutered. Licensing fees are lower for neutered animals. Residents of Glendale should be aware that homeowners with more than four pets are required to have a kennel license.

Only two pets are allowed in base housing. Recent Arizona legislation states that during summer months it is a criminal offense to leave an animal in a car and penalties up to $150,000 may be levied. The law also states that dogs must be on a leash at all times. For more information, see the Maricopa County Animal Care & Control site at https://www.maricopa.gov/3560/Animal-Care-and-Control or call the West Valley Animal Care center at 602-506-7387.

You'll have to consider such things as preparations for travel, medical information, whether to transport by car or by air, feeding and care while traveling, and settling into the new home. Plan for them early. Ask about pets at the Airman and Family Readiness Flight and Transportation Office during counseling sessions. Check any regulations regarding pets that may apply to your location.

Be very careful when traveling with pets, especially through the southwest desert areas. Remember you are coming to the desert! The heat can be extremely stressful and dangerous to pets. Never leave your pet in the car during the summer. On a hot summer day the inside of a car heats very quickly. On an 85 degree day for example the temperature inside you car with windows slightly open will reach 102 degrees in 10 minutes. A 105 degree day has produced a 215 degree temperature inside a car which is deadly to your pet. When walking your pet do so when the concrete has cooled off as it can burn your pets paws. The summer days in Arizona are over 100 degrees almost every day so leaving your pet at home is the kindest thing you can do. While traveling ensure you have plenty of fresh water and make frequent stops.

By Car

Traveling by motor vehicle is less expensive and is best for short distances. Tips for traveling with a pet by car: dogs can travel well by car if they are trained to sit not to hang out the window and not to bark. If your dog isn't used to long car rides a long trip can cause car sickness. If you stop the car and let your dog out for some exercise he'll feel better. You could also plan ahead and get some motion sickness pills from your vet. Cats are usually frightened of car travel and may be more comfortable in a carrier. Portable kennels can be handy for overnight trips. They make it easy to leave your pet in a motel or hotel when you go out for dinner.

By Plane

You may be able to take small pets less than 8" tall in the passenger compartment with you as long as they are in a carry-on kennel that fits under the passenger seat in front of you. Properly harnessed Seeing Eye dogs can travel at no extra charge in the passengers' cabin at the master's feet. However most animals don't fall into these categories and must go in cargo. Tips for traveling with a pet by plane: most airlines only allow a limited number of pets in cargo per flight. Call well in advance of the flight to make arrangements. If you have to change planes, you, not the airline, may be responsible for seeing that the pet is transferred at the connecting point. Use a regulation airline kennel for your pet. You can buy these at most exchanges, from the airline or from someone who has recently moved. Have your pet get used to it in advance. Be sure to have proper identification on the outside of the kennel. Check with the airline about feeding and water requirements prior to and during travel. Health certificates are a must for a pet on commercial travel. They are only good for ten days. If pets are being sent on freight alone you'll be expected to sign an air way bill, pay in advance and make all arrangements. If you can't ship your pet with you local kennels often provide boarding and shipping services so your pet can join you later.

For overseas pet travel and requirements, visit the USDA Pet Travel website at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel

No quarantine is necessary to bring most types of animals into Arizona. Visit this site, https://agriculture.az.gov/animals/state-veterinarians-office/animal-importation-requirements or call 602-542-4373 for more details.

Pets are allowed in only 6 of the temporary lodging units on base. If a pet friendly unit is not available you will have to use one of the local kennels. Before you move pets insure they have all required vaccinations or they won't be able to stay in local area kennels. Many kennels will not accept your animal without vaccination records. Average daily rates for boarding cats and dogs range between $6 and $20, depending on the size of the animal. Some kennels do board exotic animals and birds. Most require a health certificate especially for birds that was issued within the past thirty days. There are no boarding kennels on base. Call ahead for rates and ask about any additional fees.

Horses

There is a Wind Riders Saddle Club at Luke AFB which is about two miles from the base. The boarding fee is $25 a stall per month and annual membership fee of $35.00. You provide your own feeding and cleaning. The horse must have a negative Coggins within 6 months, a health certificate, shots and worming. You should contact the club at 623-203-1021 as soon as possible to reserve a stall. Upon your arrival you must first check in with the base veterinarian before you will be able to board your horse.

Animal Importation requirements

Learn about the rules and requirements for importing animals into the state of Arizona at https://agriculture.az.gov/animals/state-veterinarians-office/animal-importation-requirements or 602-542-4373.

The Veterinary Treatment Facility

The Luke VTF is staffed by U.S. Army and civilian personnel and provides wellness and preventive medical care for pets. The clinic is located in Building 1146 near the Block House.  

The veterinary clinic provides vaccinations, laboratory testing (heartworm disease, intestinal parasites, feline leukemia/FIV, and general screening), health certificates for domestic and international travel, and general sick call for companion animals. Please note that pets that are used or planned to be used for commercial breeding purposes are not allowed services at the VTF in accordance with Army Regulation 40-905 (AFI 48-131).

The Luke VTF does not currently have the facility or staff to provide hospitalization, intensive veterinary care, or emergency services. The VTF also does not perform surgical procedures at this time, but personnel can provide you with a list of low cost spay and neuter clinics in the area as well as information regarding local veterinary facilities and pet-related services.

If you live on base, you are required to register your pets with the VTF within ten working days of your arrival. The VTF will maintain your pet's medical records at the clinic. The VTF can provide all required vaccinations at a nominal charge, including rabies and recommended immunizations for dogs, cats and ferrets. The clinic also offers microchip implantation, which is a permanent identification system that is widely used throughout the world, and is required for all overseas travel.

The veterinary clinic is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. The VTF is closed on Fridays, weekends, and all federal holidays. Pets are seen on an appointment basis. To make an appointment, or for additional information, visit the clinic or call 623-856-6354.

On pets allowed in the dorms are limited to fish and hamsters.