Shipping Pets

All pets must have appropriate and up-to-date shot records to ensure the safety of all who come in contact with your animal.

Once you have decided that an animal is going to be your traveling companion, plan for your pet's trip in the same way you plan your own--well in advance.

Vaccinations and Quarantines

You may need to have proof of recent vaccinations for your dog before you can take it into another state or country. Most states require dogs to be vaccinated against rabies, which is uncommon but not unheard of in domestic animals. Usually, you must have proof that your dog has an up-to-date rabies vaccination to get a dog license. There are vaccines available that last for three years for dogs more than four months old. Some cities impose additional vaccination requirements - for example, you may be required to get your dog immunized against distemper, a relatively rare but very contagious and usually fatal disease in dogs.

International travel involves a whole new set of considerations and regulations. If you're taking a dog overseas, be sure to investigate restrictions well in advance of your trip. Some countries require health certificates and proof of rabies vaccination before they will admit a dog; others have mandatory quarantine periods for all animals entering the country. To find out what rules apply to your destination, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service or APHIS Pet Travel webpage.

Air Travel

Air travel has become the most common way to transport animals. Unfortunately, it is also the most stressful and most fraught with potential hazards.

Federal regulations provide some solutions to the problems of animals traveling by air but owner awareness is still the key factor in assuring the safe arrival of their pets.  Dogs, cats and most other warm-blooded animals are protected under the Animal Welfare Act, passed by Congress in 1966 and amended in 1976 to safeguard those same animals when they travel by air. The act is enforced primarily through the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Health Inspection Service. The act continues to be updated in an effort to further improve the conditions in which animals travel. Nonetheless, safe air transport of animals continues to cause problems for animals, their owners and the airlines. Because the wording of the act is ambiguous in places, much is left open to individual interpretation, resulting in inconsistent treatment of animal passengers from airline to airline, and sometimes from city to city within the same airline. To pet owners, this means great care must be taken when planning to fly with an animal. In fact, the Animal Welfare Act clearly places much of the responsibility for animal safety on the owner.

According to federal regulations, an airline cannot accept an animal from its owner unless the following qualifications are met. The animal must be:

• At least 8 weeks old
• Certified as healthy within 10 days prior to departure
• Secured in a carrier which meets the required standards
• Adequately identified in the manner specified by APHIS

For detailed information about overseas pet travel, visit the Air Mobility Command Pet Travel page. 

It is a good idea to make advanced reservations for pet boarding as soon as you know your arrival date, especially during the heavy travel periods of holidays and summer. Try to obtain a reliable recommendation for a boarding kennel. Your sponsor may be of assistance in helping to provide a list of suitable locations. 

Pet-friendly Hotels and Motels - Please refer to Housing Services Office for additional information.

No veterinary treatment services are available at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base or Detroit Arsenal. To locate a local area veterinary clinic, check the Yellow Pages, call local directory assistance, or ask for recommendations from your sponsor.