Shipping Pets

The U.S. Army Veterinary Corps provides the Spangdahlem community with veterinary services. The Spangdahlem Veterinary Treatment Facility is located on Spangdahlem Air Base and has information available for local veterinarians, boarding and grooming facilities. The VTF is generally open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. The clinic is closed to the public on the last duty day of the month for inventory. Please check the website for the current clinic schedule: https://mrc-europe.army.mil/Public-Health-Command-Europe/-Programs-Services/-Veterinary-Services-Treatment-Facilities/Spangdahlem-Veterinary-Treatment-Facility/

You can reach the clinic at DSN 314-452-9388 or Comm 011-49-6565-61-9388.

In order to enter Germany, all pets require a current rabies vaccine, an ISO-compliant microchip (15 digits) and a health certificate that has been signed by an accredited or military veterinarian within 10 days of your flight. In some cases a USDA-endorsement is needed. Customs prefers a trilingual certificate, but the international U.S. Department of Agriculture certificate is accepted. The USDA website has more detailed information on these requirements: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/by-country/eu/pettravel-germany

Please be advised that under German law, certain breeds and crossbreeds cannot be imported or transferred into Germany. 

When shipping your pet, it is your responsibility to make arrangements and to finance your pet's move to Germany. All airlines are different, but most commercial airlines will not accept pets for shipment if the ground temperature at the time of takeoff is higher than 85 degrees Fahrenheit or lower than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (including any stopovers en route). Contact your carrier for more information.

When PCSing out of Germany, reach out to the VTF as soon as you have orders so you can be advised on what documents, vaccines or bloodwork are needed. Note that travel to Hawaii, Guam, Japan and Korea have time-sensitive requirements.

The Saber Pet Lodge is operated by the Force Support Squadron and is the only military-affiliated kennel. In order to utilize the Saber Pet Lodge, you must have a copy of all up-to-date vet records on file at the base veterinary treatment facility. Pet transport from the airport is available. German kennels in the local community are also available.

Note: In order to board at Saber Pet Lodge, dogs must have current rabies, bordetella and distemper vaccinations. Cats must have current rabies, distemper and feline leukemia vaccinations in order to board.

Pet passports for travel within Europe are not available through the on-base VTF but can be obtained through a local German vet. Contact the VTF for more information upon your arrival.