{"id":17209,"date":"2024-06-18T18:11:07","date_gmt":"2024-06-19T00:11:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/?p=17209"},"modified":"2026-03-01T18:21:24","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T00:21:24","slug":"military-family-relocation-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/military-family-relocation-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"Managing a PCS with Pets: A Military Family&#8217;s Relocation Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>For families facing Permanent Change of Station orders, <a href=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/military-moves\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" rel=\"follow\">managing a military move<\/a> can be stressful. There are many things you need to plan for when you\u2019re moving to another state or even to another country. The process is usually even more complicated when you\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/moving-pets-across-country\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" rel=\"follow\">moving with pets<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Just as in many projects in life, creating a checklist is a helpful resource. When you have each step outlined in writing, you&#8217;re less likely to forget something important. But what should be on your checklist for moving with a pet? This <a href=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/preparing-for-a-military-pet-move\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" rel=\"follow\">step-by-step guide for your military move <\/a>is the perfect resource for creating a checklist.<\/p>\n<div class=\"video-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/E74w3PNkQ2s?cc_load_policy=3&amp;modestbranding=1&amp;rel=0&amp;iv_load_policy=3&amp;controls=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;autohide=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h2><b>Ground Transportation Is the Most Humane Method<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Before we get started discussing the checklist, it\u2019s important to know which method of transport you\u2019ll use. The bottom line is that ground transportation is both the most humane way to transport a pet and the most reliable. You wouldn\u2019t send your children in the cargo area of the plane \u2014 don\u2019t do this to your pets!<\/p>\n<p>Of course, if you\u2019re moving internationally, air travel may be the only option. If you have any option, you should always choose ground transportation. Other reasons to use ground transportation over flying a pet.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>There is a prohibition on pets other than cats and dogs, whereas ground transport companies will allow nearly all pets.<\/li>\n<li>Flying can stress your pet and create an anxiety overload that can be dangerous, especially if they&#8217;re in the cargo hold.<\/li>\n<li>Flying can be unreliable because of weather and other factors. <a href=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/airline-heat-embargos\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" rel=\"follow\">Airline heat embargos<\/a> are common in the summer can lead to travel disruptions.<\/li>\n<li>Ground travel logistics are easier and can offer door-to-door delivery, which is impossible with air travel.<\/li>\n<li>There is limited space on flights for pets, so you have to plan well in advance, which may not be possible if your PCS orders require a quick move.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17878\" src=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Military-Member-Planning-PCS-Move.jpg\" alt=\"A person in military uniform is sitting on a couch, using a laptop and holding a phone to their ear, discussing PCS with pets in a modern, well-lit room.\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Military-Member-Planning-PCS-Move.jpg 600w, https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Military-Member-Planning-PCS-Move-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Military-Member-Planning-PCS-Move-512x341.jpg 512w, https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Military-Member-Planning-PCS-Move-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>Ground Pet Transportation Checklist<\/b><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Obtain your pet\u2019s health certificates from a USDA-registered veterinarian.<\/li>\n<li>Gather all necessary paperwork that <a href=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/pet-transportation\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" rel=\"follow\">pet transportation<\/a> services and\/or government officials require.<\/li>\n<li>Get all required vaccines for your pets at least 21 days before travel.<\/li>\n<li>Consider microchipping your pet and purchasing sturdy name tags. These measures can be invaluable in case your pet escapes while in transit.<\/li>\n<li>Purchase a carrier: either hard-sided or soft-sided carrier.<\/li>\n<li>Acclimate your pet to the carrier.<\/li>\n<li>Make all necessary plans with the ground transportation service for drop off and pick up. Don\u2019t forget to discuss details of the trip, like bathroom break frequency and medications.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><b>Air Pet Transportation Checklist<\/b><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Obtain health certificates.<\/li>\n<li>Gather all necessary paperwork that pet transportation services and\/or government officials require.<\/li>\n<li>If you\u2019re moving to another country, check on quarantine requirements. If necessary, arrange for quarantine once your pet arrives.<\/li>\n<li>Obtain necessary vaccines at least 21 days before travel.<\/li>\n<li>Consider microchipping your pet and purchasing sturdy name tags.<\/li>\n<li>Purchase your carrier: either hard-sided or soft-sided carrier. Hard-sided is required for cargo travel, while a soft-sided carrier is the better option for in-cabin flight.<\/li>\n<li>Acclimate your pet to the carrier.<\/li>\n<li>Make all necessary plans with the airline to ensure everything is great.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17597\" src=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Military-Couple-with-Dog.jpg\" alt=\"A soldier in uniform and a woman sit on a couch, smiling and looking at a photo album. A small dog sits on the woman's lap.\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Military-Couple-with-Dog.jpg 640w, https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Military-Couple-with-Dog-350x234.jpg 350w, https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Military-Couple-with-Dog-512x342.jpg 512w, https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Military-Couple-with-Dog-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>Ways to Ease Your Pet\u2019s Anxiety<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>In order for your pet to be less stressed or anxious during the transport process and even the moving process, you should maintain the routines your pet is used to. You should also try these simple tips.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Provide safe spaces next to familiar items when you are in the new environment.<\/li>\n<li>Bring favorite toys or blankets along on the trip.<\/li>\n<li>Exercise with your pet because that will create calmness and reduce stress.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>CitizenShipper cares about your pet as if they were our own and that\u2019s why it\u2019s the safest and most humane way to transport a pet. It also cares about ensuring that you get your money back for your pet transport. Here is the reimbursement, just <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dfas.mil\/portals\/98\/dd1351-2_1.pdf\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow external noopener\">click on the link<\/a>, fill out the form, and follow the instructions.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Will The Military Pay for Pet PCS?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you receive a PCS, you may be worried about the financial burden of moving household items, vehicles and even pet transportation costs. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/pcs-pet-transportation-allowance\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" rel=\"follow\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moving with pets for military families<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is just one more layer of stress. Will the military help out with pet relocation costs? Yes, they will!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cas 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The new policy regarding reimbursement for PCS pet relocation services was <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.defense.gov\/News\/Releases\/Release\/Article\/3434402\/department-of-defense-approves-policy-to-reimburse-pet-expenses-due-to-a-perman\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow external noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">approved by the Department of Defense<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in June 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/importation\/dogs\/index.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow external noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> implementing a regulation that requires a higher screening level for dogs returning to the United States from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.travel.dod.mil\/Portals\/119\/Documents\/JTR\/Supplements\/pet_allowance_locations.pdf\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow external noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">countries that pose a high risk of rabies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For families facing Permanent Change of Station orders, managing a military move can be stressful. There are many things you need to plan for when you\u2019re moving to another state or even to another country. The process is usually even more complicated when you\u2019re moving with pets.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":80,"featured_media":16369,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"custom_post_schema":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"VideoObject\",\n      \"name\": \"Managing a PCS with Pets: A Military Family's Relocation Checklist\",\n      \"description\": \"A guide for military families on how to manage pet transportation during a Permanent Change of Station move, covering ground and air transport options and preparation tips.\",\n      \"embedUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/E74w3PNkQ2s\",\n      \"uploadDate\": \"2024-06-01\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"HowTo\",\n      \"name\": \"How to prepare your pet for ground transportation during a PCS move\",\n      \"step\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"position\": 1,\n          \"name\": \"Obtain a health certificate\",\n          \"text\": \"Get your pet's health certificate from a USDA-registered veterinarian before travel.\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"position\": 2,\n          \"name\": \"Gather required paperwork\",\n          \"text\": \"Collect all necessary paperwork that pet transportation services and\/or government officials require for your move.\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"position\": 3,\n          \"name\": \"Get required vaccines\",\n          \"text\": \"Ensure your pet receives all required vaccines at least 21 days before the travel date.\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"position\": 4,\n          \"name\": \"Microchip your pet and get ID tags\",\n          \"text\": \"Consider microchipping your pet and purchasing sturdy name tags in case your pet escapes while in transit.\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"position\": 5,\n          \"name\": \"Purchase and acclimate your pet to a carrier\",\n          \"text\": \"Buy either a hard-sided or soft-sided carrier and give your pet time to get comfortable inside it before the move.\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"position\": 6,\n          \"name\": \"Coordinate with the ground transport service\",\n          \"text\": \"Make all necessary arrangements with the ground transportation service for drop-off and pick-up, including bathroom break frequency and any medications your pet requires.\"\n        }\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n      \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Will the military pay for pet transportation during a PCS move?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Yes. As of January 1, 2024, military service members undergoing a PCS 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 or regularly scheduled commercial airline service is unavailable for pets, the Defense Department has authorized reimbursement of up to $4,000 starting November 25, 2024.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Why is ground transportation better than flying for pets during a military move?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Ground transportation is generally the most humane and reliable option for moving pets during a PCS. Flying can cause significant stress and anxiety for pets, especially in cargo holds. Airlines also have restrictions on which species are allowed, limited space for pets, and are subject to disruptions like weather delays and heat embargos. Ground transport offers door-to-door delivery and accommodates nearly all types of pets, making it a more flexible and safer choice.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"How can I ease my pet's anxiety during a PCS move?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"To help reduce your pet's stress during a military relocation, maintain their normal daily routines as much as possible. Bring familiar items such as favorite toys or blankets on the trip, provide safe spaces near familiar objects in the new environment, and exercise with your pet regularly to promote calmness and reduce anxiety.\"\n          }\n        }\n      ]\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script>","_wpscp_schedule_draft_date":"","_wpscp_schedule_republish_date":"","_wpscppro_advance_schedule":false,"_wpscppro_advance_schedule_date":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":null,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"default","_twitter_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type":"default","_pinterest_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"default","_medium_share_type":"default","_threads_share_type":"","_google_business_share_type":"","_bluesky_share_type":"","_mastodon_share_type":"","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[623,1031],"tags":[1032,53],"class_list":["post-17209","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-for-shippers","category-military-moves","tag-military-moves-supporting-blog","tag-pet-transportation"],"acf":{"internal_custom_json-ld":"","custom_atf_banner":{"image":"","url":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/military-family-relocation-checklist"}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/PCS-Orders-with-a-Pet-3.png","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17209","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/80"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17209"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17209\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42104,"href":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17209\/revisions\/42104"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16369"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17209"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17209"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17209"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}