How to Choose the Safest Pet Travel Method for Continental PCS

When you’re moving after receiving PCS orders, the logistics can weigh heavily on you and your family. If you own pets, one of those logistics is arranging safe transportation to your new home.

Department of Defense Reimbursement for PCS Pet Moves

Here’s some good news: the Department of Defense reimburses pet transportation costs during a PCS move, so you’re financially covered when you need to relocate a dog or cat. That takes some of the pressure off. The bigger question is what actually keeps your pet safest during the move.

Under the policy, which applies to PCS orders on or after January 1, 2024, service members moving within the continental United States can be reimbursed up to $550 for one household pet, a cat or dog. For moves to or from a location outside the continental United States, reimbursement goes up to $2,000 to cover pet transportation costs.

The DoD pet-relocation reimbursement policy was approved by the Department of Defense in June 2023 and has applied to qualifying moves since the start of 2024.

High-Risk Countries

If you are traveling to or from certain high-risk rabies countries, the Defense Department authorizes reimbursement of up to $4,000. This higher allowance responds to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rule that took effect in 2024, which requires a completed CDC Dog Import Form and additional screening for dogs entering or returning to the United States, with stricter requirements for dogs coming from countries that pose a high risk of rabies.

Keep in mind that this increased allowance applies only when Patriot Express capacity and regularly scheduled commercial airline service are not available for pets.

There are a few different ways to get from point A to point B, including train travel, and most of them are reasonably safe. One method stands out as the safest, most humane, and least stressful, though: ground transportation with an animal relocation professional.

Why Ground Transport Is Safer Than Flying for Your Pets

The bottom line is that ground transportation is the most reliable and safest way to move a pet long distances. Here’s why it tends to beat air travel:

Companionship During the Journey

• On the ground, the transporter is there every minute of the trip, ready to tend to any need.
• In the cargo area of a plane, your pet is alone for hours at a time.

Easy Exercise and Bathroom Breaks

• Potty and exercise breaks can happen any time they’re needed.
• On a flight, pets stay inside their carrier unless there’s a designated relief area inside the airport.
• Not all airports have those relief areas.

A Less Stressful Experience

• Travel can stress a pet, and in the cargo hold nobody can soothe them, which can lead to panic and even injury.
• With the transporter right there in the vehicle, it’s easy to stop and comfort the animal with treats, toys, or plain affection.
• Most pets are also more used to riding in a car or van than flying, so the whole thing feels more familiar.

Climate-Controlled Vehicles

• An airplane’s cargo hold is climate controlled, but it’s still exposed to extreme weather on the ground.
• That’s why airlines won’t fly cargo-area animals when it’s too hot or too cold at the departure or arrival airport.
• Ground transporters use temperature-controlled vehicles, so the interior stays comfortable regardless of the weather outside.

DIY vs. Hiring an Animal Transporter

Now that you know ground travel is the safest, most humane option, you might be thinking, “I can save money by handling my dog’s transport myself.”

For a few military members with PCS orders that’s true, but for most it isn’t. Pet transportation is often more work than it looks, which is why paying a professional is usually worth it.

• Pet transporters have experience driving long distances with animals and understand cat and dog safety. They know how to secure a pet in a crate, how many hours to drive per day, and how often to stop for breaks. They’re animal lovers, too.
• They already have the right equipment, so you don’t have to buy kennels or harnesses for a one-time move.
• Lodging and meals are usually built into the quoted price. If a transporter is driving several pets at once, you won’t pay the full cost of a hotel room, which makes it far cheaper than covering your own hotel and food on the road.

How to Get Reimbursed for Your Continental PCS Move

Under the DoD pet reimbursement policy, service members who have completed a PCS move can claim eligible pet costs. To get reimbursed, you’ll need to:

• Keep all receipts related to the animal relocation. You’ll need them to file.
• Use Form DD 1351-2 to claim pet expenses. The DoD sends your reimbursement once the travel claim is processed.
• If the pet flew cargo because it exceeded the in-cabin weight limit, make sure the receipt includes the pet’s weight.
• Eligible expenses can include pet travel, microchipping, quarantines, boarding, hotel service charges, rabies titer testing, and pet licenses.
• Reimbursement is capped at $550 for moves within the continental United States and $2,000 for moves outside it (up to $4,000 for qualifying high-risk-country moves).

Ground transportation is simply the safest and most humane way to move a dog, cat, or other animal. CitizenShipper connects military families with background-checked, independent transporters who specialize in pet transport, and every eligible booking includes $1,000 Pet Protection Coverage and 24/7 on-call vet access through FirstVet. We also make it easy to find your military reimbursement forms. Just follow the link to fill out the form.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can military service members be reimbursed for pet transportation during a PCS move?

For PCS orders on or after January 1, 2024, service members moving within the continental United States can be reimbursed up to $550 for one household pet (cat or dog). For moves to or from a location outside the continental United States, reimbursement can be up to $2,000. For moves involving high-risk rabies countries where Patriot Express capacity and regularly scheduled commercial airline service are not available, reimbursement of up to $4,000 is authorized.

Why is ground transportation safer than flying for pets during a PCS move?

Ground transportation is considered safer and more humane than air travel for several reasons. A transporter is present every minute of the journey and can tend to the pet’s needs, while a pet in airplane cargo is alone for hours with no one to soothe them. Ground travel allows for potty and exercise breaks any time, whereas pets must stay in their carrier on planes. Ground transport vehicles are temperature-controlled regardless of outside conditions, while cargo holds can be affected by extreme weather, which is why airlines restrict cargo pet travel in very hot or cold temperatures. Pets are also generally more accustomed to car travel than flying, making it less stressful.

How do military members get reimbursed for pet transportation after a PCS move?

Keep all receipts related to the animal relocation and use Form DD 1351-2 to claim pet expenses. The DoD sends reimbursement once the travel claim is completed. If the pet flew as cargo because it exceeded the in-cabin weight limit, the receipt must include the pet’s weight. Eligible expenses can include pet travel, microchipping, quarantines, boarding, hotel service charges, rabies titer testing, and pet licenses.

Is it better to hire a professional pet transporter or handle transport yourself during a PCS move?

For most military members, hiring a professional pet transporter is the better option. Professional transporters have experience driving long distances with animals, understand pet safety, know how to properly secure pets in crates, and plan appropriate rest and bathroom breaks. They also bring the right equipment, so you don’t need to buy kennels or harnesses for a one-time move. Lodging and meals are typically included in the quoted price, which can make the overall cost less than handling the move yourself.