Shipping Pets

Topic: Shipping Pets

All pets will need a German/English bilingual veterinary health certificate which states the animal is in good health, free from rabies or suspicion of rabies and that the pet meets all microchip and rabies vaccination requirements in order to travel to Germany.

Once your pet arrives, it must be registered with the on-base Veterinary Treatment Facility Europe located in Medical Kaserne, Bldg. 8758, 55774 Baumholder, Germany, telephone +49 (0)6371-9464-1200 or DSN 314-590-1200. Hours of operation are as follows: Monday Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The clinic is closed on the last business day of every month.

EMAIL ADDRESS: usarmy.rheinland-pfalz.medcom-ph-e.list.vtf-baumhr@health.mil

Registration can be completed digitally by completing the pet registration packet and emailing it to usarmy.landstuhl.phc-europe.mbx.vmce@health.mil. The registration packet is available for download here and/or on the VMCE Website: https://mrc-europe.army.mil/Public-Health-Command-Europe/-Programs-Services/-Veterinary-Services-Treatment-Facilities/Veterinary-Medical-Center-Europe/. You must have a CAC to complete digital registration. You are also welcome to walk in the facility to register. Your pet does not need to accompany you; however, you must bring a copy of their most recent vaccinations with you. German law requires that the animal be vaccinated for rabies and an identification tag be worn at all times. When not confined, a dog must be on a leash.

Another site: https://mrc-europe.army.mil/Public-Health-Command-Europe/-Programs-Services/-Veterinary-Services-Treatment-Facilities/Baumholder-Veterinary-Treatment-Facility/.

The veterinary treatment facility will also provide you a list of host nation veterinarian specialists in the area when you register your pet. It is important that you identify a host nation veterinarian specialist for your pets to see in an emergency. It is also very important that owners register their pets with Tasso as this is the method German authorities and animal shelters will use to look up the microchip numbers of stray and found animals. You can register them online from the Tasso website.

Topic: Shipping Pets

Traveling to Germany with pets requires you to make special arrangements before they are shipped. Pet travel costs are not paid for nor reimbursed by the government. The Patriot Express has limited pet spaces on each flight, so early booking is encouraged as these spots fill quickly. If you are coordinating transportation for your pet via a different airline, know that rules and costs vary across carriers.

Army veterinary treatment facilities are best equipped to do the necessary health checks and paperwork needed for shipping your pet to Germany. If you do not have a VTF near your location, check with veterinary services in your area for assistance with preparing pets for travel and getting them the necessary documentation. The United States Department of Agriculture has numerous up-to-date references on the medical requirements, as well as the documentation needed for travel to Germany.

Pet owners arriving at the Ramstein Passenger Terminal will be charged a veterinarian examination fee in accordance with European Union Ordinance #998/2003. The fee will be charged per household, not per pet. The fee is not reimbursable on travelers’ orders and will be payable by credit card only.

Pets do not have to be quarantined in Germany as long as they meet the entrance requirements. Your pet needs an ISO-compatible microchip, as well as a bilingual health certificate. It is important that this health certificate not be more than 10 days old, that the rabies vaccination is at least 21 days old, and that the microchip is implanted prior to the rabies vaccination.

For complete details visit the USDA APHIS Website.

If you are bringing your pet, it is important that you make pet arrangements before you leave the U.S. Ask your sponsor for assistance. Although lodging allows pets in some rooms, the number of rooms are limited. Some German hotels may allow your pet to room with you for an additional fee. It might be necessary to keep your pet in a kennel until you have secured quarters. Contact the Baumholder Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF) CIV: 06371-9464-1201 from Germany or CIV: 011-49-06371-9464-1200 from the U.S. or DSN: 314-590-1200/1201 for a list of kennels in the area.  Make sure that you plan accordingly/don't wait last minute with this situation. Create a checklist with it:  Microchip Implant, Rabies Vaccination, Lab Test (FAVN), Advance Notification, Health Certificate and more.

The Baumholder Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF) is located in Building 8758, Clinic Kaserne; from Germany CIV: 06371-9464-1200, from the U.S. CIV: 011-49-06371-9464-1200; or DSN: 314-590-1200. All pets must be registered prior to being able to make appointments. The veterinary clinic offers affordable quality care for your pets by appointment only on a space-available basis. Services include health certificates, annual wellness examinations, routine sick-calls, vaccinations, fecal examinations, heartworm testing, laboratory workup and elective surgeries. Excluded from surgery is cosmetic surgery (ear and tail cropping, declawing). For more info see the link:

https://mrc-europe.army.mil/Public-Health-Command-Europe/-Programs-Services/-Veterinary-Services-Treatment-Facilities/Baumholder-Veterinary-Treatment-Facility/

While some specialized services are available, clients may be referred to host nation veterinarians due to limitations in availability. Walk-ins, emergency care, and overnight hospitalization are not available at the VTF. Upon registration, owners will be provided a list of some of the nearby off-base veterinarians, including those that provide emergency services.

Note: It is against the law to abandon your pets in Germany. Please inform the VTF staff of your travel plans as soon as possible; this will help you ensure that all travel requirements are completed on TIME.