Traveling with Pets

Step 2 - Nearing Your Departure Date

Last Updated: May 14, 2025
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​​As you near your departure date, learn about health certificates, other travel considerations, and revisit health risks to ensure a safe and comfortable travel experience for your pet.​

S​​chedule Necessary Appointments

​​Book follow-up veterinary appointments based on your PCS date and destination country requirements. This may include:

Obtain a H​​ealth Certificate

Most countries require a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel by a USDA-accredited veterinarian. 

  • ​Military VTF​External Link: Army veterinary officers can endorse the health certificates for the EU, Japan and Korea. Other locations will require a USDA-APHIS accredited veterinarian to endorse the health certificate (this will likely require several days to mail the health certificate, have it signed and mailed back).
  • Civilian Clinic: The USDA​External Link must endorse the health certificate. 

Timing is key: Schedule the health certificate endorsement close to your travel date to avoid expiration due to unexpected delays but with enough time for endorsement (if necessary).

​​​​Travel Consi​d​erations by Mode​

For more information about travel crates, visit Travel Crates & Kennels​.​

In-Vehicle​​​ Travel

The safest way for pets to travel in vehicles and keep passengers safe is to restrain the pet. This restraint could be as simple as a safety harness or a travel crate. 

Fly​i​n​g​​​

  • ​Make reservations for your pets early. Many airlines have limited spaces for pets and fill up quickly. 
  • Choose an airline that best meets you and your pet’s needs. Each airline has its own set of rules and regulations for pet travel. 
  • Air Mobility Command’s​External Link​ (AMC) Patriot Express or Rotator flights are options for military families. 
  • Some animals are at a higher risk for air travel such as brachycephalic breeds, animals with heart conditions and high anxiety animals.

In-Cab​in Airplan​​​e T​​​ravel

  • You ​must ​use an IATA​External Link-compliant pet shipping container.
  • If your pet travels in the cabin, your presence can help them feel secure.
  • Speak in a low, calm tone to encourage relaxation.

​Flyi​n​g in ​​Cargo​​

  • You must ​​use an IATAExternal Link-compliant pet shipping container. 
  • Look up airline specific information on traveling with a pet.   
  • Consider temperature restrictions when booking your flights. Certain times of the day or times of year may have weather temperatures that are too extreme, and airlines may refuse to fly the pet due to safety risks.

​​Pet Shippin​​g C​​​ompanies

​Professional services can transport pets from one place to another at the owner’s expense. You can contact your local veterinarian for recommendations of reputable Pet Shipping Companies or search for these services online.

​Non-Profi​​t ​Organ​i​​​zations

​​Non-profit organizations exist to assist military pet owners with different aspects of PCSing with pets to include finding volunteers to board pets, offering foster care during deployments and tours and providing financial support. You can locate these organizations online.   

​​Staying ​in ​Hote​​ls

  • Limit time away from your pet to reduce anxiety.
  • Leave a radio or TV on at low volume to mask external noise.
  • Keep your pet in their crate during your absence to prevent destructive behavior.