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Personnel moving stateside may take most types of pets with them; however, endangered species laws prevent them from taking some turtles, birds and reptiles.
Dogs must be free of disease and be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before they reach the United States, said Bill Johnson, director of the U.S. European Command’s Customs and Border Clearance Agency. Puppies younger than 3 months and dogs in rabies-free areas, such as England, are exempt. Unvaccinated dogs will be inoculated on arrival and confined for 30 days at the owner’s expense. Cats must show no signs of disease and rabies vaccination is required in most states.
Servicemembers wanting to ship pet birds should consult the USDA Web site for the latest information as the procedures may change at short notice due to Avian flu. Visit www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/nonus_pet_bird.shtml for more information.
Hawaii is the only state that is permanently free of rabies. Personnel PCSing to Hawaii should check with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture Web page at http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/info to find out about their
special quarantine requirements for pets.
(Courtesy of the U.S. European Command Customs and Border Clearance Agency)
