Shipping Pets

Pet Licensing: The cost of a license is $35.00 per year for unaltered dogs/cats and $20 if the animal has been spayed/neutered. Licensing is through the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR), 719-473-1741. There is also a three-year license available. When you are assigned quarters on-base, please note that the HSPPR will not register your pet. The Air Force Academy does not fall under their jurisdiction.

There is a veterinary clinic on the Academy that offers limited pet services. All pets living on base must be registered with the veterinary clinic upon arrival; 719-333-4055.

Housing may limit the number and breed of pets that can live in on-base housing. Contact the housing office for more information; 719-867-9688.

There are no local pet quarantines.

Plan for your pet's trip in the same way you plan your own, well in advance. A clean bill of health is an important first step in assuring your pet's ability to adjust safely to unfamiliar surroundings. In addition, most states and countries require recent health certificates and vaccination documentation before you will be allowed to cross borders, making a trip to the veterinarian mandatory.

Make sure your pet has a micro-chip and/or special identification tag with your pet's name, your name and a destination address or that of a friend or relative. Traveling by car is sometimes the most humane way to go since you can plan regular stops for exercise and feeding. Take along your pet's food and water bowls, blanket or bedding, a favorite toy to give them a touch of home and don't forget their leash and collar!

If your pet travels with you, keep your pet on a leash when outside your car or hotel. If you plan to stay in lodging or a hotel or motel, call in advance to check if pets are allowed and to make reservations. If you plan to board your pet at your destination point, reservations are also necessary, especially during heavy travel periods such as holidays and summers. Never leave your pet alone in a parked car. In summer, it takes only minutes for the heat to climb to more than 120 degrees, even in the shade. In winter, closed cars become refrigerators, and the cold can be as dangerous as summer heat.

Traveling by air is another option for transporting animals. For information on shipping animals see detail record listing. The pet kennel/carrier in which your pet will be spending most of his trip is of the utmost importance. Your pet must have room to turn freely while in a standing position and be able to use normal movements in order to stand erect or lie down in a natural position. A container for water should be secured to the inside of the carrier positioned so that it can be filled without opening the cage. A drip bottle is recommended. Also, include a familiar blanket or favorite toy in the carrier. Be aware if you are PCSing during summer months that airlines may not fly pets when temperatures rise above a certain level. Check with your airline for specifics.

According to federal regulations, an airline cannot accept an animal from its owner unless the animal is 1) at least 8 weeks old; 2) certified as healthy with 10 days prior to departure; 3) secured in a carrier which meets the required standards; and 4) adequately identified. Pet owners often prefer to have their pet in the cabin section with them. This may be possible, but reservations must be made as early as possible. Generally, only one animal per flight is allowed in the cabin, and permission is granted on a first come, first serve basis. Another requirement is that the pet carrier must fit under the seat, so this restricts the carry-on option to very small animals.

If your pet travels in the cargo section, extra care must be taken prior to boarding and after landing which will minimize the difficulties your pet may face while out of your stewardship. Purchasing the proper carrier, arranging for non-stop, direct flights, and making sure that someone is in the baggage area when your pet arrives are safeguards that you can take to ensure your pet's safe transportation.

For smaller pets, such as birds, hamsters, gerbils, and tropical fish, consider sending them by air express. Airline freight departments or pet stores can supply shipping containers. A local pet shop specializing in tropical fish should pack them.

At the temporary lodging facility (Rampart Lodge), there are six pet-friendly rooms available, at a cost of $10.00 extra per night.  If these rooms are not available you will have to kennel your pet(s), and there are no kennels available on base. However, there are over 20 kennels in the Colorado Springs area. Pets need to have had their rabies, bordetella and distemper shots within the last twelve months. Cost varies depending on the type and size of the pet. Please make reservations before arrival.

If owners choose to stay in an off-base establishment to avoid kenneling their pets, they will not receive Temporary Lodging Expense, or TLE, reimbursement unless they have obtained a non-availability statement from the temporary lodging facility.

Some apartment communities do not allow pets. Those communities that allow pets may have restrictions as to the size and weight of the pet and may charge pet rent in addition to a pet deposit. The pet deposit may be non-refundable. Rental homes that accept pets may have size and quantity restrictions and will probably charge an additional pet deposit.