Shipping Pets

To reside on base, each animal must be registered with the private owner. Cats, dogs, fish, mice, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs and birds are approved to reside on Malmstrom Air Force Base. Wild or exotic animals are not approved to reside on base. These include skunks, ferrets, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, wolves, wolf hybrids, pot-bellied pigs and other potentially rabid or dangerous animals and snakes. There is a two-pet limit on base. As always, your sponsor is a critical and important source for information and assistance. If you haven't received information about your sponsor in a reasonable amount of time, contact your gaining unit. There are no veterinary services on base.

Careful preplanning is very important when you move a pet. Pets can become nervous when faced with an unfamiliar situation. The better prepared you are, the more comfortable your pet will be. Before you move, request your pet's records from your veterinarian. Contact your local travel management office for information on relocating pets by ground or by air.

Before you depart, make sure you have the proper pet documents available. There is no quarantine for the state of Montana as long you have the following:

Health Certificate — Less than 10 years old, issued by a licensed veterinarian and accompanied by an current inoculations record. 

Permits — You may need a permit allowing your pet to enter the destination state/country. Your veterinarian may assist you in applying for one. A fee may be charged. (The permit is not necessary for Montana.) 

Identification — A dog or cat, whether traveling by air or car, must have identification secured to a collar. Birds may be identified by leg bands. The tag should include the pet's name, your name and the destination address.

Contact Lodging at 406-731-3394, as there are limited rooms that allow pets. Many people with pets have a difficult time finding temporary and permanent housing that will accept pets. The cost of boarding pets in Great Fall can be quite high. Only two pets per family are allowed in military family housing.

Residents may not board dogs of any breed (including a mixed breed) that are deemed "aggressive" or "potentially aggressive," unless the dog is a certified military working dog that is being boarded by its handler/trainer with written approval of the Defense Force Commander or approval is obtained by the commander in writing. For purposes of this policy, “aggressive” or “potentially aggressive” breeds of dogs are defined as pit bull (American Staffordshire bull terrier or English Staffordshire bull terrier), Rottweiler, Doberman pinscher, chow and wolf hybrids. Prohibition also extends to other breeds of dogs or individual dogs that demonstrate or are known to demonstrate a propensity for dominant or aggressive behavior, to include the following types of behaviors.

Make arrangements for your pet prior to arrival. Reptiles, rodents (other than hamsters and guinea pigs), ferrets, hedgehogs, skunks, rats, raccoons, squirrels, potbellied pigs, monkeys, arachnids or any farm and ranch animal are NOT allowed in military family housing.

Pets must have proof of Bordetella DA2PP-L+CV and rabies vaccinations prior to boarding.

Check the yellow pages and search the internet for kennels in the area. There are no kennels on the installation.

Malmstrom Air Force Base does not have veterinary clinic. All vet services must be obtained by local veterinary facilities off base.