Q1 - Can I be reimbursed for quarantine fees and transportation charges I incur for my family pet?

Applicable to Uniformed members

A1a – Yes – and  - No. Mandatory pet quarantine fees, incurred ICW the mandatory quarantine of a household pet, are reimbursable not to exceed $550 per PCS move for pets in, or entering into, quarantine on and after 28 December 2001. There is no reimbursement (nor any allowance) for "transportation" of a pet. See JFTR, par. U5805. Only quarantine costs associated with dogs and cats are included.

Applicable to Civilian Employees

A1b - Pet quarantine fees and transportation charges incurred ICW a PCS are included in the Miscellaneous Expense Allowance (MEA) applicable fixed amount authorized in JTR, par. C5310-A. If MEA expenses are itemized, reimbursement for those expenses, including pet quarantine fees and transportation charges, is allowed up to the applicable maximum amount authorized (JTR, pars. C5310-D 7 and 8). Only quarantine and transportation costs associated with dogs, cats and other house pets are included in the MEA. Other animals (horses, fish, birds, various rodents, etc.) are excluded because of their size, exotic nature, or restrictions on shipping, host country restrictions and special handling difficulties.

Applicable to Uniformed members and Civilian Employees

Q2 –  Where can I find information on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Requirements?

A2 – A traveler transporting an exotic pet is required by law to have a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) certification before transporting the pet to a foreign location or back to the U.S. A traveler returning to the U.S. with an exotic pet, prior to transporting the pet, should contact the FWS at, 1-800-358-2104 or (703) 358-2104 or visit the website at http://www.fws.gov/permits/ for more information on permits and applications.

 

Applicable to Uniformed members and Civilian Employees

 Q3 – Where can I find Pet Quarantine Information?

 A3 -  The following websites contain useful pet quarantine information:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/animal_imports_pets.shtml

 or

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/animal/index.htm

Applicable to Uniformed members and Civilian Employees

 Q4 – Is there an exception to the use of city-pair Contract Carriers when traveling with a pet?

 A4 – Yes, When space on a scheduled contract flight (including a confirmed pet space (see NOTE)) is not available in time to accomplish the travel purpose, or contract service use would require the traveler to incur unnecessary overnight lodging costs (for the traveler) that would increase the total trip cost. If this situation exists, it must be certified on the travel order, travel voucher, or other document provided by the traveler or AO.

NOTE: When pet shipment is the determining factor for non-use of the lower cost GSA Airline City-Pairs airfares, the traveler and not the Government is responsible for costs exceeding the least bexpensive unrestricted coach/economy airfare and travel routing. See DTR, Part I, Chapter 103, par. B.2.c (note) for the source of this NOTE.

Applicable to Uniformed members and Civilian Employees

Q5 - Can my pet travel with me on an AMC flight?

 A5 – Subject to AMC regulations, yes, a pet may travel with you on an AMC flight if you are in a PCS travel status. A pet shipment is at the owner’s expense, to include any pets moved under the Grandfathered Pet Policy and Space Available Pet Program. Information on AMC pet shipment criteria is found in the DTR, Part I. Chapter. 103, par. J, located on the USTRANSCOM website at http://www.transcom.mil/j5/pt/dtr.cfm.