Shipping Pets

Pets do not have to be quarantined in Germany, but a bilingual health certificate is required.

Important to Note: Pet health certificates cannot be more than 10 days old and the rabies vaccination must be at least 30 days old and not more than a year old before you travel to Germany. Pets must be identifiable byway of a microchip (or tattoo), which must have been implanted prior to being vaccinated for rabies, and the coordinating number of which must be annotated on the rabies certificate. The health certificate must be signed by a U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) certified veterinarian.

German and U.S. pet travel laws change frequently. Please check with your installation veterinary clinic for assistance.

For more information regarding pets, please contact Stuttgart Veterinary Clinic:

+49 63719-464-1888

E-mail: usarmy.rheinland-pfalz.medcom-ph-e.list.vtf-stuttgart@mail.mil

For current updates visit Facebook page:

https://home.army.mil/stuttgart/index.php/my-garrison/all-services/stuttgart-veterinary-clinic

Military on-post hotels have limited room for household pets. Boarding establishments in Germany are limited and can be expensive. Some German hotels do allow pets, but most charge an additional fee to the regular room rate. Regulations limit residents of military housing to no more than two domestic pets per household. Communicate with your sponsor as early as possible regarding pet needs. 

Your military veterinarian can provide further information about host country requirements. Pets have to be registered at the Veterinary Services, located on Panzer Kaserne, within two weeks of arrival to Stuttgart. You do not need to bring your pet in for this registration, just their health record and their rabies certificate.

Veterinary Services can be contacted at 011-49-63-719-464-1888 or e-mail: usarmy.rheinland-Pfalz.medcom-ph-e.list.vtf-Stuttgart@mail.mil

The Veterinary Treatment Facility offers limited services by appointment only. Call the VTF first for emergencies during duty hours. After duty hours, the name and number of a designated civilian veterinarian will be left on their answering machine. It is a good idea to find a civilian veterinarian that you feel comfortable with that is located close to where you live.

German states have passed a Dangerous Dog Ordinance placing restriction upon the ownership of certain types of dogs. Military and civilian personnel moving to Germany should weigh the requirements of the German DDO and owner responsibilities for dogs when making a decision to bring such dogs with them. For more information please contact the Stuttgart Veterinary Clinic 011-49-63-719-464-1888 or e-mail: usarmy.rheinland-Pfalz.medcom-ph-e.list.vtf-Stuttgart@mail.mil.

Planning for shipment of your pet includes researching airline requirements and quarantine restriction laws in your new location. You will need to ask the airlines the requirements for size, weight, number of animals, kennel construction, documentation and season of the year limitations. Occasionally, small pets can be shipped on military flights but availability and regulations are always changing, as well as fees. Search  Air Animal and the Fly Pets websites for general information on shipping pets.

Tips on Traveling with Pets

Personnel need to make special arrangements when shipping family pets to Germany. To insure that your pet has a safe and comfortable air trip, we offer these tips:

• Call the airline you are flying on and make a reservation for your pet. Call as early as possible as many airlines do not ship animals or they have a limit on the number of animals on each flight.
• Book a direct flight if at all possible.
• Make an appointment at your veterinarian for a check up. Tell him/her that you are planning to take your pet to Germany via air.
• Obtain a bilingual health certificate from your veterinarian dated no earlier than 10 days before departure. It is important to note that shots must be more than 30 days old and less than one year old.
• Start crate training your pet - if it has not already been trained. If your pet has never been in a crate before, buy the crate and leave it sitting in your living or bedroom for a couple of days. When the pet is comfortable, start encouraging him/her to go inside by putting treats inside the crate. Never force a pet into a crate - you will create a fear of the crate in your pet. Gradually increase the time you leave your pet in the crate each consecutive day, until you have reached an 8 hour day.
• Feed your pet a light meal six hours before flight time, and exercise before putting in the crate.
• If you are traveling in hot weather, book a night flight. Your pet may not be able to travel with you if the temperatures are too extreme.
• Purchase a U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA)-approved shipping crate. It should be large enough so that your pet can stand, sit and change position comfortably. For international flights, it is also required that the crate have breathing holes in the rear of the crate as well as on the sides.
• Insure the words "LIVE ANIMAL" are printed on the carrier with arrows indicating the upright position of the carrier.
• Line the bottom with some type of bedding to absorb accidents.
• Freeze water in a plastic water cup and attach inside the carrier, it will melt by the time your pet is thirsty, yet not spill with the handling of the crate. Or purchase a "hamster" type water bottle - but you have to make sure that you train your animal to drink from this type of apparatus.
• Get your pet accustomed to the carrier. Also, putting a piece of clothing with the scent of a family member will comfort your pet during the flight.
• Do not place a lock on the carrier, so that the airline personnel can open the carrier in case of an emergency.
• For trips longer than 12 hours, attach a plastic bag containing dry food on the top of the carrier with feeding instructions for airline personnel.

Stuttgart Veterinary Treatment Facility – Building 2996, Panzer Kaserne, DSN 314-590-1888 or CIV 011-49-6371-94-641-888.