Patrick MacFarland ·
Updated July 17, 2026
Good news for pet-owning military members — Department of Defense recently announced a policy change to now allow repayment for pet relocation during a PCS move. Many of you have pets that are an important part of your family, so it became clear that paying out of pocket for pet relocation wasn’t a fair policy.
However, to get your money back, you need to correctly follow the steps of the policy. As the #1 pet transportation marketplace in the country, we’re here for our military and want to make the process as smooth as possible. We’ll guide you through every step.
PCS Pet Reimbursement Summary
Beginning January 1, 2024, eligible service members may receive reimbursement for certain pet transportation expenses incurred during a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move. The reimbursement amount depends on whether the move is within the continental United States (CONUS), outside the continental United States (OCONUS), or involves travel from a designated high-risk rabies country.
| Move Type | Reimbursement Limit | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| CONUS (within the continental U.S.) | Up to $550 per PCS move | January 1, 2024 |
| OCONUS (outside the continental U.S.) | Up to $2,000 per PCS move | January 1, 2024 |
| High-risk rabies countries (when Patriot Express or commercial air is unavailable) | Up to $4,000 per PCS move | November 25, 2024 |
Reimbursement is limited to actual eligible expenses, up to the applicable maximum, and is subject to current Department of Defense regulations.
You Received PCS Orders and Own a Pet; So What’s Next?
The first step to take is deciding how you want to transport your furry friend. What’s most important to you? Is it safety and comfort, are you most concerned about quick transport, or is cost the most important variable?
When Comfort Is Most Important
If safety and comfort are the most important, then ground is the way to go. There’s no substitute for having someone there at all times for your pet, whether it is you or a professional transporter.
Require a Quick Transport?
Unfortunately, sometimes you have to prioritize speed. If you require quick transport, flying your pet is the quickest option. However, there are significant downsides to air travel that you’ll have to consider.
- Pet air travel tickets can be canceled at any time due to weather conditions or availability.
- Cargo transport is the least humane way to move a pet. They’ll be alone in the cargo area of the plane where nobody can check on them.
- Pets aren’t able to leave their carriers once they’re in the airport. On the ground, they can get out and take potty and exercise breaks throughout the trip.
DIY Travel Versus Hiring a Transporter
This is mainly a question of cost. The common thinking is that you’ll save a few bucks by driving the pet yourself. But when you dig deeper, that might not actually be the case.
Time Cost
Do you have to take time off to transport yourself? Cross-country moves can take several days, meaning you might need to use vacation days or if that’s not an option, take unpaid days off.
Equipment Cost
Do you have all of the equipment you need to complete the transport? While you can drive with an animal unsecured in the backseat, it’s highly discouraged and could lead to tragedy — even if you’re in a minor fender bender. Consider the cost of buying equipment for a one-off trip, all of the costs associated with lodging and meals, plus gas and other incidentals along the way.
Stacked Transport Discounts
Transporters often handle multiple animals at a time. If you’re comfortable with this “rideshare,” you’ll see that it’s actually the most cost-effective way to go. You’ll only pay a fraction of the gas, lodging and food costs of the transporter along the way.
And, since you’ll agree to a locked-in price, you won’t need to worry about surprise costs. What happens if you blow your transmission while driving across the country? That’s all on you. You’re not liable for any costs if something like that happens to the transporter.
Ready to book your PCS pet transport? CitizenShipper provides itemized receipts you can attach to your DD 1351-2 travel claim. Get Quotes from Background-Checked Transporters →
Background on the New Relocation Allowance Policy
In June 2023, the Department of Defense released new policies regulating pet relocation reimbursement after Congress passed a new law in December 2022.
“As of January 1, 2024, military service members going through a PCS within the continental United States can be reimbursed up to $550 for one household pet, either cat or dog, and up to $2,000 for moves to or from a location outside the continental United States to cover costs related to the relocation of a pet.”
This is a first — before, military members had to pay for pet relocation costs themselves. Unfortunately, the new policy is not applied retroactively. The change came about because lawmakers noticed that moves with animals became burdensome and difficult. They sought to alleviate the burden on members of the military with this new policy.
The DoD pet relocation reimbursement applies to all military branches — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard. If you have PCS orders dated January 1, 2024 or later, you are eligible regardless of branch.
What are the Details of the New DoD Policy for PCS Shipping Expenses?
This is a new law, so there’s not a lot of information about how to take advantage of it. The reimbursement has an allowance limit of $550 for travel within the United States and $2,000 outside the continental United States. Remember — and this is important — keep all of your receipts.
In Order to Get Reimbursed:
- Use Form DD 1351-2 to claim expenses. You’ll get your money back once the travel claim is completed.
- When traveling outside of continental US, service members must use government-run or federally-contracted providers for their pet shipping needs.
- If transport services are not available to their transoceanic destination, members must get a “non-availability letter” to get repayment for the relocation they booked separately.
- If the animal is flying cargo because it exceeds the weight limit for in-cabin travel, the receipt must include its weight.
- The policy includes money back for pet expenses including their transport, microchipping, quarantines, boarding, hotel service charges, virus immunity testing and pet licenses.
CitizenShipper makes it easy for you to relocate your furry friends. It is the safest way to do so and we also make it easy to locate the forms. After all, it’s stressful to relocate, so we don’t want you to struggle with searching for the forms to get reimbursed. Just click on the link and fill out the form.
If you are traveling to or from certain high-risk countries, the Defense Department has authorized reimbursement of up to $4,000 starting November 25, 2024. This policy is in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) implementing a regulation that requires a higher screening level for dogs returning to the United States from countries that pose a high risk of rabies.
It’s important to note that this increased allowance is only granted when the Patriot Express capacity and regularly scheduled commercial airline service are not available for pets.
What Pet Expenses Does the DoD Reimbursement Cover?
The Department of Defense’s PCS pet reimbursement helps offset some of the costs of relocating a single household pet during an eligible Permanent Change of Station. While reimbursement is not intended to cover every expense, it can significantly reduce the financial burden of moving a dog or cat.
Eligible expenses may include:
- Airfare or airline pet transportation fees
- Commercial pet shipping or ground transportation costs
- Mandatory quarantine fees (when applicable)
- Boarding costs required because of transportation delays
- Veterinary health certificate fees required for travel
- Import or export permit fees
- Government-required entry fees for the destination
- Other required transportation expenses directly related to the PCS move, as permitted by DoD regulations
What Isn’t Covered?
The reimbursement does not generally cover:
- Transportation of more than one pet
- Exotic animals or pets that do not qualify under DoD policy
- Routine veterinary care, vaccinations, grooming, or pet supplies
- Pet relocation expenses from PCS moves before January 1, 2024
- Costs that exceed the applicable reimbursement limit
Because reimbursement policies may change, always review your branch’s current PCS guidance before making travel arrangements.
Compare pet transport quotes for your PCS move. CitizenShipper drivers are background-checked and reviewed by other military families. Listing is free. Get Your Quotes →
How to File for Pet Reimbursement: Form DD 1351-2 Steps
Filing for PCS pet reimbursement is similar to submitting other travel-related expenses. Keeping organized records throughout your move will make the reimbursement process much easier.
Step 1: Gather all pet-related receipts
Save every receipt associated with transporting your pet, including airline fees, ground transportation invoices, health certificate costs, boarding fees, quarantine charges, and any other eligible expenses.
Step 2: Confirm your move date is on or after January 1, 2024
Verify that your PCS orders qualify under the current reimbursement program. Most reimbursement benefits apply only to eligible PCS moves occurring on or after January 1, 2024, with additional provisions for certain high-risk rabies country relocations beginning November 25, 2024.
Step 3: Complete Form DD 1351-2
Fill out the Travel Voucher or Subvoucher (DD Form 1351-2), the standard form used to claim PCS travel reimbursements. Include your eligible pet transportation expenses as instructed by your branch’s travel office.
You can download the official DD Form 1351-2 (Travel Voucher or Subvoucher) directly from the Defense Department’s forms website.
Step 4: Attach all supporting receipts
Include copies of all required documentation, such as transportation invoices, veterinary receipts, health certificates, boarding receipts, and any additional paperwork requested by your finance office.
Step 5: Submit through your branch’s travel claim process
Submit your completed travel voucher and supporting documentation through your military branch’s established travel reimbursement system or finance office. Processing times vary, so retain copies of all submitted paperwork until your reimbursement has been finalized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the military pay for pet travel during a PCS?
Does the Army pay for pet shipping?
Can I get reimbursed for two pets?
How long does military pet reimbursement take?
Patrick MacFarland has been a teacher, a candidate for public office, and a local tour guide. But now he dedicates his time writing full-time, currently at CitizenShipper and VeraContent.
