Shipping Pets

All military personnel must register their pets at the base veterinary clinic. Dogs and cats are required to have a current rabies vaccination (and distemper/parvo) and a certificate. The certificate should include the brand and lot number of the vaccine.

Registrations may be completed at any time during veterinary clinic office hours. You do not need to bring you pet into the clinic for registration.

Pets are not permitted to run loose on the installation. Anytime a pet is outside the confined, secured areas, it must be securely leashed and under the control of the owner or their representative.

Santa Barbara County requires that no dog is permitted upon a street or other public place unless on a leash and under the immediate care and control of the owner or other person having the care and custody, except during supervised dog training classes, shows or exhibitions held in city parks.

A person having possession, charge, custody or control of an off-leash dog must remain with the dog at all times, must clean up feces and bear full responsibility for filling any holes and repairing any damage created by the dog.

Personnel with horses may contact the Hoyt S. Vandenberg Saddle Club. The club is a 37-acre facility that includes 50 barns, a show arena, warmup arenas, a round pen, a clubhouse and easy access to miles of open trails on Vandenberg's north base.

The club is open to active duty, Defense Department employees and prime contractors assigned to or working on Vandenberg Space Force Base and their families. Military retirees are also welcome. Membership meetings are on the third Tuesday of each month.

Per base instruction 31-107, dogs and cats (a maximum of three per household in any combination) are allowed on base as well as birds, fish and common caged pets (guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, etc.). No exotic or wild animals are allowed (snakes, wolves or wolf hybrids, ferrets, etc.).

As of October 2006, Air Force Space Command established a policy to prohibit certain animals from military family housing.

AFSPC Animal Prohibition Policy

Animals Prohibited in Family Housing areas located on AFSPC bases:

Animals banned by state and federal laws:

• Wild, exotic or undomesticated animals
• Poisonous reptiles or large constrictor-type snakes
• Hoofed animals, except those kept in a designated base area and qualify as riding, draft or show animals
• Pit bull breeds (American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire bull terrier, etc.) and Rottweilers, Presa, Canarios, Doberman Pinscher, Chow Chow, Akitas, Mastiffs, Alaskan Malamutes, and wolf hybrids. Any dog that is a percentage of pit bull or Rottweiler, up to half-breed dogs of these are also prohibited.

Owners of any prohibited dog must have renter's insurance, which provides liability for the pet's actions and provides proof of insurance to the Housing Office. The amount of insurance must be at least $100,000.

The Relocation Assistance Program Office at the Vandenberg Space Force Base Military & Family Readiness Center can provide you with an information guide to help you prepare your pet for a PCS.

Because regulations and restrictions change, you or your sponsor can request the information from your Traffic Management Office prior to travel.

Some general tips include:

• Some pets are not adaptable to travel. For example, it may be wiser to sell or give your fish and aquarium to a friend or school and start over at your new location. 
• Pets are very sensitive to changes in their environment. When dogs and cats sense stress, they can become alarmed, run away, become difficult to handle, start wetting the carpet, etc. It is important to take them for walks, keep them comfortable and spend time with them. It is recommended that a pet be boarded or placed with a friend during packing and moving days.
• Keep your pet's schedule and feedings as normal as possible. Make sure they have their favorite toys or blankets for the trip. If they will be flying, line their cages with old blankets, robes and generally things that smell familiar to them.
• Schedule your pet for a complete checkup and certification of health. Be sure their inoculations are up to date, and carry the documentation with you. And bring an abundant supply of medication, if your pet requires any. You can also ask your vet to recommend a tranquilizer for the trip. If you have an exotic pet, or a pit bull terrier, check to make sure they are allowed at your next location.
• If you are planning to take pets in the car, keep plenty of food and water on hand. Also, be alert to the dangers of extreme temperatures while the car is parked, and make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise at rest stops.
• Ask for a pet traveling guide that provides a list of pet-friendly lodging across the country.
• If your pet will be traveling by aircraft, call ahead and check on regulations for pet carriers/kennel sizes.
• Consider checking to see if your favorite kennel can arrange transportation and pet care for you at both ends.

There are no pet quarantines at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

Boarding pets for an extended period can be expensive. Many off-base housing rentals don't allow pets and, if you have to rent off-base for two to six months, you may need to budget for kennel fees.

All kennels require proof of up-to-date shots or vaccines for distemper, parvovirus, rabies, Bordetella and the feline series.

It is recommended that you talk with kennel personnel before you decide where to board your pets. If you are arriving at night, make special arrangements with a kennel. The lodging department cannot give you nonavailability because of a pet.

Kennel prices for cats and dogs range from $17 to $35 per day, depending on the size, weight and breed. Contact the veterinary clinic, or check the Yellow Pages to find a local kennel.

Lompoc Boarding Facilities

Manglers Guest Ranch
5322 E. Hwy. 246
Lompoc, Calif. 93436
Phone: 805-736-6952

River's Edge Pet Lodge
1700 N. H St.
Lompoc, Calif. 93436
Phone: 805-740-1000
Fax: 805-740-1120

Lompoc Veterinary Clinic
1426 E. Ocean Ave.
Lompoc, Calif. 93436
Phone: 805-736-6555

Lucky Dog Pet Resort
526 N. Oakglen Ave
Nipomo, Ca 93444
Phone: 805-929-5825

The Ruff Ranch

1553 Meadowvale road
Santa Ynez, CA 93460

805-626-2690

info@theruffranch.com

The Veterinary Treatment Clinic at Vandenberg Space Force Base provides services to animals owned by active duty, retired service members, 100% disabled veterans, and dependents with a valid ID card. All new patients must register their pets in person prior to scheduling an appointment. Pets are seen by appointment only, no walk-ins or emergency services offered.

Veterinary appointments include wellness checks and limited diagnostic testing.

Other services offered are:

Vaccinations

Deworming

Heartworm tests

Testing and treatment for parasites

Microchip implantation

Weighing

Nail trims

Health certificates for domestic and overseas travel

The veterinary clinic can be reached at 805-606-3019.