Shipping Pets

All dogs and cats living in Lauderdale County/city of Meridian MUST have a rabies vaccination (animals must be vaccinated by 12 weeks of age) and must carry current rabies vaccination tags. The tags are issued by licensed veterinarians for animals with certificates of rabies vaccination. The city of Meridian has a leash law for dogs.

Transportation of pets is at the service member's own expense.

Any travel with pets requires extra research and planning. You should consider the overall health and age of the animal, and calculate additional expenses for travel, lodging/kennels and deposits. If traveling by car, determine in advance which hotels along the way will accept pets.

If traveling by air, you should consider airline travel rules (size/type/health of animal, cage requirements, the total number of animals allowed in cargo and in 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, with the Transportation Office, or look at the Transportation Security Administration webpage for information and rules regarding pets and air travel.

It is important to remember that pets are NOT allowed in the Combined Bachelor Quarters (temporary on-base lodging). Members will need to either board/kennel their animals, or stay at a hotel that accepts pets (see table below for a listing of local hotels that accept pets).

NAS Meridian does not have a veterinary clinic on base. The Meridian area offers many excellent veterinary clinics. Potential health problems for pets in Meridian, and the south in general, include: heartworms, fleas & ticks, internal parasites, and heat stroke.

Pet Restrictions: Only two pets are allowed in base housing (no exotic, wild, or farm animals--only dogs, cats, birds, or fish are permitted).

The following dog breeds are considered aggressive and are not permitted: Akita, American bull dog, chow, Doberman, pit bull (American Staffordshire bull terrier or English Staffordshire bull terrier), Presa Canario (Canary mastiff), wolf-hybrids, and rottweiler.

All pets must be kept current with vaccinations, testing, and/or treatments.  All dogs and cats must wear current vaccination tags on their collar or harness.

For more information, call NAS Meridian Homes at 601-679-7669.