• Start early. It may take months to complete all of your pet’s travel requirements. 
• Initial Consultation: Schedule an appointment as soon as you anticipate a PCS move or trip. Plan for additional follow-up appointments. 
• ​​​​​Contact your nearest Military Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF)​.
• ​If you don​​’t use a VTF, you may need to search for a civilian veterinary provider who is able to assist you with foreign travel requirements.
  

• Discuss the risks of travel for you pet. ​If your pet is at high-risk for travel complications, consider planning alternative care for your pet.​ 
  
• Country-Specific Requirements: Identify pet travel regulations by country from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Ser​vice (APHIS).
  
• ​​Your veterinarian will review destination regulations, your pet's health and vaccination records, necessary lab work and any special considerations.
• Microchipping: Ensure your pet has an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip for identification and tracking in case of separation. Verify your contact information is up to date with the microchip manufacturer. The microchip number is typically a 15-digit identification number. If you are unsure, you can look on your pet's Rabies certificate to see if the microchip number is listed.
• The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has a timeline checklist for traveling with animals that can be helpful.
  

Older Pets with Pre-​​ex​​i​​sting Conditions

Travel can be​ particula​​​rly challenging for older pets or those managing chronic health conditions like heart disease, diabetes or respiratory issues.

• Talk to your veterinarian about your pet’s travel risks; they can advise if your pet can make the trip. 
• If you are traveling by car, plan on frequent rest stops and breaks. 
• If traveling by plane, especially long flights or multiple connections, carefully consider your pet’s health. 
  

​Brachycephalic (​​​Sh​ort-Nosed) Breeds

Dogs and cats with short noses, such as pugs, bulldogs, and persian cats, have significantly higher risk of complications during air travel, both in-cabin and cargo. 

• Some airlines do not transport brachycephalic breeds due to elevated risks. 
  
• Even if an airline permits brachycephalic breeds, it's essential to discuss your pet's individual health with your veterinarian to determine if they are fit to fly.
  
• For more information on brachycephalic breeds and air travel, visit the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA)​​. 
  

​Special Consi​​derati​ons

C​at​​s

• ​Place a litterbox inside the crate if space allows.
• If the crate is small, use absorbent pads to manage waste.

​​Phero​​mone​​​s​

​Pheromone therapy can help reduce stress and anxiety throughout the moving process. This includes any stays in hotels or with friends and family. Start early and talk to your veterinarian about pheromone use and what would be best for your situation.

• For cats, there are Feliway^®​ ​diffusers, sprays and wipes (the spray is less than 3 ounces, and wipes should be allowable through TSA. Always check first!).
  
• For dogs, there are Adaptil^® collars, diffusers, sprays and wipes. 
  

Me​dicatio​​n​

• Ensure you have enough medicines for travel and extra days in case of delays.
• Adjust your pet's medication schedule before travel based on time zone changes if needed.
  
• If you think your pet has an anxiety issue, make an appointment with your veterinarian early so that your pet can be diagnosed and treated before your trip.
• Sedatives are not recommended for air travel as they do not relieve anxiety, can lower your pet's blood pressure, and may reduce their ability to regulate body temperature during a time when monitoring is not possible. 

Breed​​ Ba​​​​ns​​