Shipping Pets

Animal registration and immunization of pets owned by military and U.S. civilians is required. Owners must register their pets within two weeks of arrival at the Benelux Veterinary Treatment Facility on Chievres Air Base. Pets are required to have current rabies vaccination (more than 30 days for puppies and kittens, and less than 12 months prior to arrival). It is recommended that all vaccinations are up to date. Hand-carry all records. Pets require an international health certificate (trilingual) issued within 10 days of flying.

Vaccination

Pets boarded at the Chievres kennel must have up-to-date shot records. Dog vaccination requirements include rabies, distemper and parvo, bordetella (kennel cough). Cat vaccination requirements include rabies and feline leukemia. Dog owners need to ensure that their pets have been vaccinated against kennel cough: this is not a routine vaccination but it is a requirement to board at any facility in Belgium including the MWR boarding kennel. No puppies or kittens less than three months old are accepted. You must present proof of vaccination. If your pet is not properly vaccinated it will not be accepted for boarding.

All animals must be visibly healthy before being accepted for boarding. The kennel management reserves the right to reject any animal who presents obvious signs of illness, pregnancy, requires medical injections, or animals that are deemed unmanageable or vicious. We are able to provide medication in pill form or other, but kennel employees aren't certified to give injections. For additional information, do not hesitate to call the Chievres kennel at DSN 314-597-5242 or commercial from the United States 011-32-68-25-5242.

The only animal currently under quarantine requirements are birds. It is a long and expensive procedure to quarantine animal. Pets travel at the owner's expense.

Shipment of pets is the responsibility of the pet owner. Furthermore, the pet owner is accountable for transportation, vaccinations and proper documentation. When shipping your pet to Belgium the airlines require you to have an International Health Certificate. These can be obtained from any military veterinarian. This certificate must be obtained within 10 days of flying. Rabies inoculations cannot be less than 30 days old or more than one year old on the day of your flight.

Service members are responsible for making arrangements for their pet to travel. You must contact your travel clerk before departure and advise them that you are traveling with an animal. Airlines only accept a certain number of pets per flight. Also many airlines have restrictions on flying pets during the summer and under specific weather conditions. Be prepared to make alternative arrangements. Consult the airline for more specific information. Be sure to check with your place of temporary lodging - some places do not accept pets.

Airline approved pet carriers are available at all post exchange/base exchange stores as well as pet stores. Your carrier should also include two plastic bowls which attach to the door which are mandatory for shipping.

There are options for shipping your pet on commercial airlines:

• As air freight in a cargo plane. Boxes in these flights are not always stored in facilities with heat and air conditioning.
• In the baggage compartment of the same plane carrying the owner. An "excess baggage" rate may apply even if the owner has no other luggage.

If airline policy permits very small pets may travel in the passenger compartment as long as they are in a secure container and can be tucked under a seat.

For additional information or for clarification regarding traveling to Belgium with pets make sure to consult the following website.

Belgium does not quarantine dogs or pets. It is recommended that your flight to Europe does not include a layover in England when travelling with pets. If this is unavoidable contact the UK embassy concerning quarantine requirements.

The Family and Morale Welfare and Recreation boarding kennel is located on Chievres Air Base and serves the Brussels Community. The Chievres Kennel offers boarding services and is open to all United States and SHAPE-ID card holders. There are 31 dog runs and 12 cat kennels. The kennel accepts dogs, cats and small pets such as birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, etc. Reservations are accepted up to two months in advance. Reservations can be made in person or over the phone on a first-come, first-served basis, however a deposit is required to secure a reservation. The deposit is $69 for dogs, and $54 for cats. For reservations less than three days, the deposit will be the full boarding fee. A valid credit card is required to secure a reservation. For more information and hours of operation call DSN 314-597-5242 or commercial from the US 011-32-68-25-5242. The kennel also provides grooming services for dogs and cats by appointment.

You can also consult the Chievres Kennel website.

The fees for the Chievres Boarding Kennel are $23.00 a day for one dog, $18.00 a day for one cat and $5.00 a day for each additional pet in the same kennel. Dogs and cats will not be allowed to stay in the same kennel. No more than two pets may stay in the same kennel. However, exceptions can be made for small pets such as kittens or small dogs. Fees for small pets are $5.00 a day, $1.00 for each additional pet in the same cage. If your pet will be staying more than 30 days, we require a deposit on the drop-off date.  The deposit will be the daily fee x 30. Fees are per day regardless of drop-off or pick-up time.

For additional information and to double check these fees call DSN 314-597-5242 or commercial from the US 011-32-68-25-5242.

The kennel management reserves the right to reject any animal who presents obvious signs of illness, pregnancy, requires medical injections or animals that are deemed unmanageable or vicious. We are able to provide medication in pill form or other but Kennel employees aren't certified to give injections.

The Public Health Command District-North Europe/Benelux Veterinary Clinic is located in building 20047, Chièvres Air Base in Chievres. Animals are seen on an appointment basis only. Available services include vaccinations, diagnostic testing, routine surgery such as spaying and neutering and pet dentistry. If there is specific treatment or surgery needed it must be discussed with the veterinarian prior to scheduling. Please note that children under 10 years of age are not permitted in the clinic.

If your pet has special medical requirements you may want to call or write to ensure medicine or treatment will be available. The clinic also maintains a list of local veterinarians. Upon arrival in Europe, you must register your pet(s) with the Veterinary Services. This allows the clinic to start or continue a medical record on your pet and to issue your pet a local rabies tag. The tag carries the vet clinic's phone number. In the event that your pet should become lost anyone finding your pet can notify the clinic and you in turn will be notified.

The address is PHCD-NE Benelux Veterinary Clinic, Veterinary activities, Unit 21419, APO AE 09708. Telephone: DSN 314-566-5390 or commercial from the United States 011-32-65-32-5390.

The kennel management reserves the right to reject any animal who presents obvious signs of illness, pregnancy, requires medical injections or animals that are deemed unmanageable or vicious. We are able to provide medication in pill form or other, but Kennel employees aren't certified to give injections.

Requirements or restrictions on particular breeds of dogs, "dangerous breeds," within Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands apply. Contact the embassy of the country of interest or veterinary services for more information.

Leash Laws

You will find that dogs are acceptable in most places in Belgium. You will see them in restaurants and stores. Belgian law requires you to keep your dog in the confines of your own yard or on a leash. If your pet damages someone else's property or causes a vehicular accident, you can be liable for costs if your pet is found at fault. It is recommended that families take out a Belgian liability insurance policy, which covers liability at home for members of the family (i.e., if a child breaks a neighbor's window or if someone falls and gets hurt on your property). This policy also covers pets.

Pet Passports

Pets crossing European Union borders with their owners need a passport. These passports are issued only at off-post veterinary clinics. The little blue booklet, valid in all EU-member countries costs about 20 euros, depending on the facility and if shots are up to date. Travelers should talk to their local veterinarian prior to making a trip outside of the EU with pets, since more paperwork is needed than just a passport.