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Air Force
Traffic Management Office (TMO)
Building 2106
Room 211
Ramstein Germany
011-49-6371-47-2163
314-480-2163
Contact information for key programs and services at this installation.
Policies and rules for shipping pets vary at each installation. It’s important to understand the regulations, prohibitions and laws at your new installation before moving with a pet. Below, you’ll find installation-specific details for registering, boarding and transporting your pet.
Upon arrival or adoption of new pets, all pets living on and off-base, must be registered with the Kaiserslautern Veterinary clinic on Pulaski Barracks (Vogelweh Military Complex), Bldg. 2928 or another Military Veterinary Treatment Facility (i.e. Baumholder). Veterinary Services are appointment based only and emergency care is not available. Registration consists of maintaining a current medical record and a valid rabies certificate (for cats and dogs). If vaccines are given to your pet off-base, please bring proof of vaccination so we can update our records.
Veterinary Medical Center Europe: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch) by appointment only; DSN: 590-1900 or 06371-9464-1900.
ID: Animals in Germany -- German law requires that the identification tag be worn on the animal at all times. Rabies certification must be kept current. When not confined, a dog must be on a leash.
Pets in Germany -- Germans love their animals, but they also take pet ownership very seriously, as we all should. So before figuring out all the steps to get your pet to Germany, ensure you review the differences in the laws and general guidelines associated with pet keeping here.
Of note from the USDA:"Pet dogs, cats, and ferrets must be identified with a microchip compatible with ISO standard 11784 or 11785 or the appropriate microchip reader must be provided along with the pet. Microchip implantation must occur PRIOR to rabies vaccination. Any rabies vaccination that occurs prior to microchip implantation is not considered valid regardless of whether the animal was up-to-date on its previous rabies vaccines. In this case, the animal must be revaccinated. 21 days must have elapsed after the first (primary) vaccination after implantation of the microchip before the animal is eligible to enter the European Union. A rabies vaccination is considered primary if either: (1) an animal was up-to-date on its rabies vaccination but vaccination occurred prior to microchip implantation, (2) vaccination was not carried out within the period of validity of a previous vaccination, or (3) the animal was vaccinated for the first time."
Germany has implemented a dangerous dog law that prohibits the breeding or trade of "dangerous dogs." Dogs with a history of attacking or biting people can also fall under this new law. "Dangerous dogs" may not be imported to Germany under any circumstances. Already the attempt to import a dangerous dog is punishable by law.
Health Certificate -- Before you ship your pet, a veterinarian must verify the health of the animal and issue a certificate dated within 10 days of your arrival. The certificate must be in German and English and state that the animal is in good health and had a rabies vaccination more than 30 days old but less than one year. Military vets are usually familiar with this certificate, but civilian vets may need several weeks lead time to order the certificate from the Department of Agriculture.
Pet Quarantines -- Germany does not require quarantine for any animal.
Pet Shipment -- When you ship your pet, it will be at your own expense. Arrange pet shipment well in advance by contacting your current traffic management office or airline. If you ship your pet separately, ship it to Frankfurt, Germany. At Frankfurt International Airport, you pick up your pet at the civilian airfreight terminal.
AMC Space Available -- For the most up-to-date information about AMC travel, please visit their website: https://www.amc.af.mil/AMC-Travel-Site/Terminals/EUCOM-Terminals/Ramstein-AB-Passenger-Terminal/
Commercial Flights -- If you fly on a commercial carrier into Frankfurt airport (Flughafen), you will clear your pet there either at the civilian airfreight terminal (if your pet was transported as freight on a different flight), or at the baggage claim area if your pet flew with you on the same flight. Airlines place restrictions on shipping pets based on the outside temperatures at the airports.
If you move at certain times of the year, especially during the summer, you may not be able to ship your pet at the same time. Check with the airline early to find out about restrictions. You may have to make arrangements to kennel your dog or leave the dog with a relative before you can ship it to Germany.
Import Permit for Unaccompanied Pet Shipments: For information concerning permits or shipping of unaccompanied pets, contact the Frankfurt Customs Clearance for Courier Services office.
Lodging facilities are located at Ramstein AB, Landstuhl Post, Kapaun, and Vogelweh Housing Area. Lodging provides family, officer and enlisted quarters on a priority basis to all military and authorized civilians relocating to and visiting the KMC. The maximum Temporary Lodging Facility (TLF) stay is 30 days, if available when booking - there is no guarantee that you will be offered a Temporary Living Facility on your assigned installation.
A limited number of pet-friendly TLFs are available on Ramstein AB. Note: If non-pet TLFs are available, a certificate of Non-Availability will NOT be issued. Occupants will obtain appropriate care for their pets when pet units are not available.
Licensing and Vet ServicesUpon arrival or adoption of new pets, all pets living on and off-base, must be registered with the Kaiserslautern Veterinary clinic on Pulaski Barracks (Vogelweh Military Complex), Bldg. 2928 or another Military Veterinary Treatment Facility (i.e. Baumholder). Veterinary Services are appointment based only and emergency care is not available. Registration consists of maintaining a current medical record and a valid rabies certificate (for cats and dogs). If vaccines are given to your pet off-base, please bring proof of vaccination so we can update our records.
Veterinary Medical Center Europe: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch) by appointment only; DSN: 590-1900 or 06371-9464-1900.EmergenciesOnce you are settled, you should find a German vet in case of after-hours emergencies. The military vet clinics have listings of local German vets.
German Rules On Dangerous DogsIn April 2001, German law was passed on import of dangerous dogs for protection of the citizens. The local offices of public order (OPO) at city and county level are appointed to enforce the dangerous dog regulation.Dangerous dogs are defined as animals either- known to be vicious- having indicated inclinations to attack game or livestock- having attacked persons- having shown unusually aggressivenessAutomatically included are Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bullterriers and other dogs descendant from one of these dogs.These races and any dogs deriving from these races cannot be imported to Germany. Breeding, reproduction, and trade of dangerous dogs are prohibited. The responsible authority may order the dog to be neutered. Dogs may not be trained or bred to become dangerous dogs.Permission by the local authority is required to keep a dangerous dog. The owner must justify the need to keep the dog, for example as a watch dog. Furthermore, the owner must be at least 18 years of age and personally qualified. Personal qualification requires passing an aptitude test administered by a person or office certified by the State Veterinarian Chamber. This test is only valid for 5 years and only connected to the dog that is tested together with the owner.Certain criteria automatically disqualify persons to own dangerous dogs:- final conviction for at least one crime committed with premeditation or twice for crimes committed while drunk within the last 5 years- addiction to alcohol or drugs, or mental illness or impairment- repeated violation of dangerous dog legal provisionsDangerous dogs must be kept safely. They must be marked with an electronic chip applied by a veterinarian. The dog owner has to show proof thereof to the local authority. Furthermore, if the dog is lost or given into somebody else's custody for more than 4 weeks the owner must notify the local authority.In public areas, including common areas in multi-family housing such as stairwells, dangerous dogs must be on a leash and wear a muzzle. Dog owners may ask for an exemption to wear a muzzle if the dog poses no danger to public security. Persons walking dogs in public must be 18 years or older, physically able to control the dog and not disqualified. A person may only walk one dog at a time.
Don't wait until the last minute to discuss the health certificate with your vet. The time limit for the validity of the certificate and vaccination is subject to change and varies dependent upon the air carrier.Pet Quarantines -- Germany does not require quarantine for any animal.Pet Shipment -- When you ship your pet, it will be at your own expense. Arrange pet shipment well in advance by contacting your current traffic management office or airline. If you ship your pet separately, ship it to Frankfurt, Germany. At Frankfurt International Airport, you pick up your pet at the civilian airfreight terminal.AMC Space Available -- For the most up-to-date information about AMC travel, please visit their website: https://www.amc.af.mil/AMC-Travel-Site/Terminals/EUCOM-Terminals/Ramstein-AB-Passenger-Terminal/Commercial Flights -- If you fly on a commercial carrier into Frankfurt airport (Flughafen), you will clear your pet there either at the civilian airfreight terminal (if your pet was transported as freight on a different flight), or at the baggage claim area if your pet flew with you on the same flight. Airlines place restrictions on shipping pets based on the outside temperatures at the airports.If you move at certain times of the year, especially during the summer, you may not be able to ship your pet at the same time. Check with the airline early to find out about restrictions. You may have to make arrangements to kennel your dog or leave the dog with a relative before you can ship it to Germany.
Import Permit for Unaccompanied Pet ShipmentsFor information concerning permits or shipping of unaccompanied pets, contact the Frankfurt Customs Clearance for Courier Services office.
Release 2024.03.06.1