Shipping Pets

California and the military installation have leash laws for your pets. Please look into this before moving. Depending on the size and type of your pet, licensing and registration cost can vary for each pet. For more information on installation requirements/cost, call the Veterinary Clinic at 831-242-7718. Moving with your pet includes researching airline requirements and quarantine restriction laws based on your travel choices. If you are flying with a pet many airlines have requirements for size, weight, breed of your pet and each will require documentation as there may be limitations and all shots must be up-to date. Small pets may be shipped on military flights, but availability and regulations frequently change so call to get the information.

Contact your local Personal Property Office or Government housing at 831-242-7979 to request specific county instructions. Military OneSource can make your move easier with helpful tips, resources and hands-on information related to moving with pets and more. If you plan on residing on the installation, check local city ordinances on pet vaccinations, licensing & registration. You also need to check with government housing on regulations and requirements if you choose to live in government housing quarters on Ft. Ord or Le Mesa village as there is a fee to have dogs. They can be reached at government housing  831-242-5702, 

The Parks of Monterey Bay 831-644-0400. Make sure you look into the pet information as some places do not allow you to have pets. If you need more information contact Fleet and Family Support Center at 831-656-3060.

Shipping a pet is your responsibility. There is no reimbursement for any pet expenses, including cages, and the cost of shipping your pet, quarantine of your pet and/or kenneling are normally required when going OCONUS look into the the requirements before moving.

There is no quarantine in California for cats or dogs. Check with the Department of  Transportation office for information about shipping pets, especially overseas (some countries and Hawaii have quarantine requirements). Airline approved pet carriers are available at the Post Exchange. Health certificates for travel are available at the post Veterinary Clinic at 831-242-7718 by appointment.

Once you receive your orders, you should plan immediately for shipping your pet. Make your pet's flight reservations early. Check that your airline of choice will accept pets on that day and a light that you prefer. Most airlines limit the number of animals you are allowed to take two small animals on a flight if they are a cat or dog in one travel container. 

Although your transportation office and sponsor will be helping you, it is still important for you to do your homework on your next duty station's pet regulations. Most overseas locations require your pet to satisfy certain vaccinations or quarantine requirements before they are transported. Some overseas destinations require pets to have completed vaccinations six months before your move. For more information you can go on the site; https://www.state.gov pet international travel. 

For instance, pets arriving into Okinawa must arrive with five copies each of a rabies certificate and a health certificate and three copies of the service member's orders. The rabies shot must have been given at least 30 days, but not more than a year, prior to shipping the animal to Okinawa.

If using a civilian health certificate, it must be endorsed by the USDA. The USDA  and the veterinarian must sign the forms and imprint the raised USDA stamp on each certificate. Health certificates must be issued no more than 10 days prior to entry and in some countries certificates need to be valid up to 30 days or more, contact that installations for more information on pets.

Keep in mind that certain snub nose dogs, such as pugs, boxers, bulldogs and Pekingese, should not travel by air in hot weather. Check with the airlines for special arrangements. Animals that are pregnant or in heat, are less than eight weeks old and have not been weaned for more than five days or are elderly should not be travel by air because of the risk to their health.

Nevertheless, if you must leave your pet in the baggage area, be advised that commercial airlines may refuse to allow your pet to be transported in the baggage area if the temperature is considered "extreme and not good for your pet," which is typically above 85°F or below 45°F. As the pet owner, you are responsible to make sure that you take the necessary precautions to ensure the well-being of your pet, such as scheduling morning or evening flights during the summer or mid-day flights during the winter. Upon boarding, you should ask a flight attendant or other crew if they can check that your pet has safely made it aboard the aircraft and is situated comfortably.

Contact the Personal Property Office at 831-656-2152 for further information on shipment of pets. You can contact fleet and family support center for more information if needed at main number 831-656-3060.

Many hotels and/or motels in the local area do not allow pets so you will need to call and ask when making reservations and ask if there are pet deposits or fees. Consequently, you will have to put your pet in a kennel if you choose lodging that does not accept pets. The average cost is between $20 to $200 a day depending on the size of the pet. Please be advised that the cost of boarding your pet can change. The Lodging at the Presidio the IHG, and the Navy Lodge have pet friendly rooms with a deposit or extra fee. Call ahead to verify availability.

Lodging; IHG Army Hotel  is on the Presidio 831-645-1199; Navy Lodge, La Mesa 831-372-6133; Billeting NPS, 831-656-2060.

The state of California and the local military installation have leash laws. Depending on the size and type of pet, licensing/registration cost can vary. For more information on installation requirements/cost, call the veterinary clinic at 831-242-7718. If you plan on residing in government housing, check local city ordinances on pet vaccinations, licensing & registration. If residing in government housing, make sure you ask them about pet requirements in that area as they may be different.