Patrick MacFarland ·
Updated April 17, 2025
When you receive PCS orders, your life turns upside down for a short while. You have to pack up all of your belongings and move your family to another destination. And that includes finding a way to move your pet!
In many circumstances, a pet move can feel like a pretty difficult and stressful task. But it doesn’t have to be! As the #1 pet transportation marketplace in the United States, we have years of experience helping military members move their pets.
Here are a few of our top tips that will make your move as smooth as possible. Let’s take a look at how to prepare your pet for a military move.
Why Preparing For Pet Transportation Is Important
Preparation for pet transportation is important because there are a lot of balls to juggle. If you make a mistake and forget a task, your pet may not be allowed to travel.
It’s also important to have your pet acclimated to traveling longer distances and being inside a carrier. If your pet is not trained, there could be problems. But don’t despair, there are ways to ensure that everything goes well and it’s smooth sailing.
Tips for Preparing a Pet to be Transported
Preparing for your military PCS with your pets is quite challenging, but definitely doable. You not only have to move your entire family and pack up all your belongings, but you also have to check off everything on the list when it comes to your pets. There are several things you have to do beforehand so that everything goes smooth sailing.
- Obtain your pet’s health certificates. Check to be sure the veterinarian filling out the health certificates is USDA-registered.
- Bring all necessary paperwork that airlines, ground transport companies or government officials may need or may ask of you during the transport process. This is particularly important if you’re moving abroad.
- Get all required vaccines for your pets at least 21 days before travel because if not, your pet won’t be allowed to travel.
- Consider microchipping your pets and purchasing sturdy name tags. These measures can be invaluable in the case your pet escapes while in transit.
- Discuss potential anxiety medications or other methods to reduce stress with your veterinarian.
- Purchase either a hard-sided or soft-sided carrier.
- Acclimate your pet to travel and to the carrier.
How to Make a Pet Comfortable in a New Home
Patience is key when it comes to your pet. Here are a few tips to make sure they acclimate faster and they are in a safe environment.
- Stick to the old routines your pet is used to. This will ensure they know what to expect.
- Don’t buy new pet gear just because you moved. Stick to your old pet gear until your pet is comfortable and adjusted.
- Don’t leave your pet alone at your new home for a while or if you have to, leave them with a loved one or with a pet sitter.
Will The Military Pay for Pet PCS?
When you receive a PCS, you may be worried about the financial burden of moving household items, vehicles and even pet transportation costs. Moving with pets for military families is just one more layer of stress. Will the military help out with pet relocation costs? Yes, they will!
“as of January 1, 2024, military Service members going through a PCS (permanent change of station orders) 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 transportation of a pet.”
The new policy regarding reimbursement for PCS pet relocation services was approved by the Department of Defense in June 2023.
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.
Wrapping Up
Two-way marketplaces like CitizenShipper ensure you get the freedom and the safety that you need for pet transport. There are also many benefits to using CitizenShipper for your military pet move — it’s easy to use, you’ll receive multiple quotes instantly and there are a myriad of options.
CitizenShipper is the safest and most humane way to transport a pet. CitizenShipper also cares about ensuring that you get your money back for your pet transport. Here is the reimbursement, just click on the link, fill out the form, and follow the instructions.
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.
Content Writer at CitizenShipper. I’ve also been published on The Penny Hoarder, Mommy Poppins and mxdwn.
