Shipping Pets

Airline Pet Travel Requirements:

While SATO and similar agencies manage travel bookings, it remains the service member’s responsibility to verify that all airlines involved in their travel itinerary accept their pets. There have been cases where pets were permitted on the first leg of travel but were denied boarding on connecting flights. Since each airline maintains distinct policies covering which pets are allowed, quantity limits, seasonal restrictions and other factors - service members must proactively research and obtain all necessary clearances.

Country-Specific Regulations:

Just as airlines have varied requirements, each country enforces its own rules for pet importation and travel. We have encountered multiple situations highlighting the complexities involved. View the NAVSEA PCS resources (e.g., Bahrain’s guidance), Military OneSource information (e.g., Yokosuka’s resources) and other vetted sources for service members, including but not limited to:

1. Installation veterinary clinics, which are excellent resources on pet PCS requirements. Consider inviting vet representatives to speak during permanent change of station briefings or classes.
2. The Defense Travel Management Office’s updated pet transportation cost reimbursement limits (March 2025).
3. USDA’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service guidelines.
4. Department of State articles on “Pets & International Travel” and “Returning to the US with Pets.”

There is no quarantine for pets coming to the base.

Navy Housing Residents

All residents in Navy housing must register their animals with Lake County officials. The pets that are permissible in your home are those which are domesticated and are traditionally kept in the home. These pets are identified as dogs*, cats, birds, gerbils, hamster, guinea pigs, turtles, and fish.

*Please contact your housing to recevie a list of breeds permitted and not permitted. 

Lake County Residents - Including Navy Housing

All residents of Lake County must register their animals with Lake County officials 847-949-9725. All animals receiving a rabies vaccination at the Great Lakes Veterinary Treatment Facility must register and pay the fee at the time of the animal's vaccination.

All active-duty military, reservists on active duty over 30 days, retirees and family members with a valid identification card are eligible to use the VTF. Those eligible to use the VTF may bring pets in for annual vaccinations, fecal testing for intestinal parasites, heartworm testing, and minor skin infections. Appointments are necessary and there is a charge for services provided. Shampoo, ear cleaning products, heartworm preventatives and flea control products for dogs and cats are available for purchase. Call to make an appointment or for more information.

The Great Lakes Veterinary Treatment Facility is located on Naval Station Great Lakes in bldg. 43-H and provides routine care to pets of all military service members and retirees, military working dogs, government working dogs and mascots.

The best way to contact us for an appointment, or with questions, is via email at greatlakesvtf@gmail.com
Please allow 24 to 48 hours for an email reply.

Naval Station Great Lakes VTF may not always be able to help with emergencies. If your pet is having an emergency, please contact a civilian clinic.

Premier Veterinary Group—Grayslake: 847-548-5300

Veterinary Specialty Center – Buffalo Grove: 847-459-7535

Chicago Veterinary Emergency – Chicago: 773-281-7110

Blue Pearl Pet Hospital – Skokie: 847-673-9110

Townline Animal Hospital – Vernon Hills: 847-549-3187 (not emergency, but open 9-5 Saturday and Sunday

Companion Animal Touch & Therapies—Round lake: 847-782-1963

River Trails Animal Hospital – Lake Zurich: 847-945-9591

Premier Veterinary Group - Mundelein: 847-548-5300

Antioch Animal Hospital – Antioch: 847-395-0636

All dogs are required by law to wear current rabies tags. Current dog tags allow for dogs to be reunited with their families if they get lost or loose.

Authorized Users:
All military, retirees and family members with a valid ID card are eligible to use the VTF.
You must be able to get on to Naval Station Great Lakes for your pet to be seen.

Services provided:

• Routine vaccinations
• Testing for internal and external parasites and heartworm disease
• Preventive products for flea, tick, heartworms, and internal
• Domestic and international Health certificates (Please contact us ASAP if you receive orders to PCS overseas)
• Treatment of acute and chronic diseases
• Soft tissue surgery and teeth cleanings (at this time we are unable to provide orthopedic procedure)

If you have a family pet now or plan on getting one in the future, you should, at a minimum, ensure your animal is provided with the following preventative health measures.

ADULT DOGS annual vaccinations should include Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, and Bordetella. We also recommend Lyme disease vaccination for all dogs in this area, since ticks are very common. Additionally, all dogs be kept on heartworm and flea/tick prevention year-round.

ADULT CATS annual vaccinations should include Rabies and Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia. We also recommend testing and vaccinating for the Feline Leukemia Virus if you have a cat that spends time outside.

PUPPIES and KITTENS should start their vaccinations at 6-8 weeks of age and receive their first Rabies vaccination when they are at least four months old. We recommend deworming all puppies and kittens during their puppy/kitten visits.

If you have any further questions or would like to schedule an appointment for your animal, please contact the Great Lakes VTF at greatlakesvtf@gmail.com.

If you have an appointment, please bring a stool sample with you.