Shipping Pets

Pet license and tags are required for all cats and dogs in New Orleans and Plaquemines parish. Contact the nearest veterinarian office or the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans Veterinary Clinic at 504-678-4600 for an appointment to license your pet. NAS JRB New Orleans requires your pet meet the requirements of Orleans Parish and Louisiana regulations which includes licensing of your pet (obtaining a tag which must be worn by the animal).

In order for you to get your pet licensed, they must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian using a USDA approved rabies vaccine. If a licensed pet ever gets out and is injured, attempts will be made to contact the owner immediately. If these attempts are unsuccessful, Plaquemines Parish Animal Control, or PPAC, will then attempt to contact the veterinary clinic that issued the license and transport the animal there or to the emergency clinic for treatment. If a citizen finds an animal wearing a license tag, they can call PPAC at 504-934-6690 to find out who is responsible for the animal and how to contact the owner. The law is you must have your pet licensed. A license tag literally means the difference between life and death for your pet. 

Plaquemines Parish Animal Control phone: 504-934-6690

All pets must be leashed and under control when outside a fenced kennel run or fenced yard.

For adoption procedures contact Louisiana SPCA (Plaquemines Parish Campus): 504-934-6931. They are located at 455 F. Edward Herbert Blvd, Belle Chasse, LA. 70037.

Once you have decided that an animal is going to be your traveling companion, plan for your pet's trip in the same way you plan your own - well in advance. Remember if your pet is transferred by air; take the length of time and current climate conditions into consideration. Summer heat could mean that your pet could be left behind as most commercial airlines place embargoes on pet travel when temperatures go above 85 degrees. Due to rising outside temperatures, two out of three domestic commercial airlines contacted place embargoes on pet travel from mid-May through mid-September, making air travel with pets all but impossible on domestic and international flights. Some commercial carriers accommodate domestic pet travel during the summer months by offering a service guaranteeing pets traveling on their commercial flights as cargo are last to be loaded and first to be unloaded. The cost for such service can reach up to $500 one-way, depending on the pet's size and weight.

For military families traveling to overseas assignments via chartered flights pets are easily accommodated, as long as reservations are made well in advance. Department of Defense (DoD) passengers (this means military and DoD civilians) passengers traveling on permanent change of station orders may request pet spaces, in conjunction with their seat reservation, from any DoD transportation office. Make reservations as soon as possible after being notified of a PCS to have the best chance of securing a space for them.

Passengers bringing pets with them on military chartered flights are responsible for the cost of their pet's travel and are charged based on weight and destination. This is the best way to move your pet with you - they make sure the pets are put on last and as late as possible, quality assurance evaluators check on the animals to make sure they have water during long delays, and pet owners are encourage to visit their pets to walk them or give them water if ground time exceeds two hours.

Commercial airlines are running so many aircraft and have limited manning, they probably will not have the time to make sure the pets are the last thing put on the aircraft, water is provided, and you certainly cannot check on your pet, take it for a walk, or even provide them water.

Standard rule for shipping your pet is that all pets must be in a hard-shell crate, whether they are to be shipped in the cargo bay or in the cabin. It must meet International Air Transport Association standards, and allow the pet to stand, turn around, and lie down with ease. If a pet is to be carried in the cabin it must be able to fit under the seat - that is big enough for a kitten or a very small dog.

Make sure you do your homework when you travel with pets and if at all possible consider taking a military charter flight.  For assistance in shipping your pet contact the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans (NAS JRB) Personal Property-Household Goods Office, at 504-678-9820, Outbound or Inbound Section and the NAS JRB Veterinary Clinic at 504-678-4600.

There is no quarantine period for pets arriving from an overseas location as long as the owner provides the following:

• The pet has no diseases.
• The pet has current rabies inoculation.
• The pet has a valid health certificate.

NOTE: Change 184, 4/1/02, JFTR (Joint Federal Travel Regulation), Chapter 5, para. U5805 PET QUARANTINE REIMBURSEMENT states "For PCS moves with an effective date on or after 4 December 2000, reimbursement for actual mandatory quarantine fees for household pets is authorized not to exceed $275 per PCS move. For mandatory pet quarantine fees incurred in connection with the mandatory quarantine of a household pet underway on 28 December 2001 or that begin on or after that date, reimbursement is authorized not to exceed $550 per PCS move."

Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans does not offer kennel services. Check the internet for kennels in your area. Your sponsor can be of assistance in securing a kennel. The following list below provides a few kennels in the New Orleans area and is in no way endorsed by the Defense Department, Department of the Navy or NAS JRB New Orleans.

• Aurora Animal Clinic, 504-365-0098.
• Acadiana West Animal Clinic, 504- 341-9510
• Belle Chasse Animal Hospital, 504- 392-9200
• Algiers Animal Clinic, 504-364-1556

Some kennels offer discounts if there is more than one dog kenneled together, no discount for multiple cats kenneled together. Some kennels also offer extended care discounts. Pets must be vaccinated and you must bring your pet(s) vaccination records with you to the boarding/kennel facility. 

Remember you are living in Louisiana. You must prepare for hurricanes and that means planning for your pets as well.

If you evacuate:

• If you live in a trailer, or on-board a military installation that has been deemed an evacuation area you will evacuate.
• Public shelters DO NOT accept pets. If you must evacuate and leave your pet(s) behind, prepare your children and other family members for the fact your pet(s) may not survive or may be lost before you are able to or permitted to return home. Before hurricane season begins on 1 June every year make sure all your pets have current immunizations and take these records with you if you must evacuate. Photograph each of your pets prior to 1 June each year and include these pictures with your immunization and other medical records.
• All animals should have secure carriers (or collapsible cages for large dogs) as well as collars, leashes, (muzzles if necessary) and rabies tags. Carriers should be large enough for the animals to stand comfortably and turn around. Train your pets to become familiar with their carriers ahead of time. Your pet survival kit should include ample food (at least one week supply); water/food bowls; medications; specific care instructions; newspapers and plastic trash bags for handling waste; brushes, combs, and other hygiene items; toys and others comfort items; muzzles if necessary. A manual can opener is a necessity. If you plan to house your pets at a kennel or clinic, call before evacuating to determine if space is available. Allow sufficient time to travel from the kennel to your evacuation location after making certain that your animals are secure.

If you stay at home:

• Carriers, collars with proper ID and leashes should be maintained for your pets at all times. Your pets will be most comfortable and secured in a safe area of your home, this usually means inside your home, until the storm has passed. If they are not secured during the storm and your house is damaged, your pets may escape and become disoriented, since normal landmarks and scent trails could be obliterated. If your pets become lost, proper ID will ensure their return to you. Place your pet food and medication in watertight containers in a cool, dry, dark place inside the home. Store adequate water for your pets. Your normal water source may become contaminated. (To purify water, add 2 drops of household bleach per quart of water, mix, seal tightly, let stand for 30 minutes before using.) Walk your pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home.
• CAUTION: Downed power lines and other debris pose real dangers to you and your pets. Do not allow pets to consume food or water which may have become contaminated.
• Do not leave a dog tied outside in hurricane weather. If you evacuate to somewhere other than a public shelter, take your pet (if it is dangerous for you it is dangerous for them). For a copy of Hurricane Preparations contact the Fleet and Family Support Center Relocation Assistance Branch.

NAS JRB New Orleans Veterinary Clinic

The U. S. Army Veterinary Services offer monthly veterinary services on a limited basis in building 43. The clinic is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays each month from 0900-1600 (lunch off: Noon-1300) for walk-in service to include vaccinations, wellness exams and minor sick calls. Medication and preventative products are only sold at the clinic during the days the clinic is open. There is no active phone line but a recorded message regarding the vet clinic operation dates and hours can be reached by calling 504-678-4600.