PCS moves are stressful enough on their own. Add pets to the mix and suddenly you’ve got a whole separate logistics track running alongside everything else: vet appointments, pet-friendly hotels, travel day planning, and paperwork that varies depending on where you’re headed.

The good news is that military families do this all the time, and with a little planning it’s absolutely manageable. And as of January 1, 2024, the military actually covers some of your pet relocation costs — more on that below. This guide covers everything you need to know, from health certificates to hotel bookings to keeping your fur babies calm on travel day.

What the Military Covers (And What It Doesn’t)

This is the section most guides get wrong, including older versions of this one. Effective January 1, 2024, the JTR (paragraph 050107) authorizes reimbursement for pet relocation costs for PCS orders dated January 1, 2024 or later. Here’s what’s covered:

CONUS moves: up to $550 per PCS

Eligible expenses include mandatory microchipping, boarding fees, hotel pet charges, licensing fees at the new installation, and pet shipping fees if the pet flies separately or you’re flying rather than driving.

OCONUS moves: up to $2,000 per PCS

Same eligible expenses as CONUS, plus quarantine fees and titer testing costs. In specific high-risk rabies countries where neither Patriot Express nor commercial airline service is available for pets, this can go up to $4,000 through the Secretarial Process (effective November 2024).

Important limitations

• Only cats and dogs qualify. The JTR defines a household pet as a cat or dog owned for personal companionship.
• Only one pet per service member per PCS order.
• Dual-military couples on separate PCS orders may each claim one pet.
• Expenses must be reasonable, substantiated, and directly related to the PCS relocation.

On a three-night CONUS drive with two pets, you could easily hit $150–$300 in hotel pet fees alone. The $550 reimbursement won’t cover everything, but it covers a meaningful portion. Keep your receipts and submit them with your travel voucher.

The Paperwork You’ll Need

Getting your pets travel-ready on paper is one of the most time-sensitive parts of a PCS move. Start early and you’ll be fine. The families who run into trouble are usually the ones who didn’t realize some of this takes longer than expected.

Health Certificates

Most states and all airlines require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), also called a health certificate, issued within 10 days of travel. Your vet has to issue it in person, which means you’ll need an appointment in that window. As soon as you have travel dates confirmed, go ahead and schedule it. Vets book out further than you’d think, especially in spring and summer when PCS season overlaps with regular vaccine appointments.

If you’re doing a CONUS-to-CONUS road trip, not every state requires a CVI, but having one anyway is worth it. If you end up at an emergency vet, a boarding facility, or even some hotels, having documentation makes everything easier.

Vaccination Records

Bring physical copies. Your vet has everything on file digitally, but that doesn’t help you at 9 p.m. when a hotel is asking for proof of rabies vaccination. Print the records, tuck them in the same folder as your orders, and you’re covered.

Microchip Registration

If your pets aren’t microchipped, now is a great time to take care of it — and microchipping is a reimbursable expense under the 2024 JTR update (for one of them, at least). If they are chipped, take a few minutes to confirm the registration has a current email address and phone number. Pets can go missing during moves, and a current microchip registration is the fastest way to get them home.

Overseas and Quarantines

Moving overseas with pets adds a significant layer of complexity. Every country has its own import requirements, and some have timelines that are genuinely long. The earlier you start, the better. For example:

• Japan and South Korea have strict quarantine requirements. Start the process at least six months before your report date.
• Hawaii has a quarantine program for dogs and cats that don’t meet specific health and vaccination criteria. There is a 5-day-or-less program if you follow their preparation steps exactly, but you need to start early. Look this up as soon as you get orders.
• Germany and most of Europe require ISO microchips, rabies titers, and EU health certificates. Some of the required tests take 30 or more days to process, so the timeline matters.
• Some countries have breed-specific legislation. It’s worth researching before you get too attached to an assignment.

The USDA APHIS website is the most accurate source for country-specific pet import requirements. Your vet can also help you build a preparation timeline once you know where you’re headed.

Want help keeping it all straight? Download our free PCSing with Pets Checklist.

Flying Vs. Driving: How to Decide

For most CONUS moves, driving is the better option for your pets. It keeps them out of cargo holds or overhead bins, and being near you the whole time is genuinely less stressful for most animals than a flight. That said, it’s not always possible.

When to Drive

If the drive is four days or fewer, driving is usually worth it for the animals. You control the pace and the stops, the temperature stays consistent, and your pets are with you the whole time. Many pets who are nervous in the car still do better than they would in a cargo hold.

When to Fly

OCONUS moves or genuinely long distances may make flying the better call. A few things to sort out before you book:

• Small pets (typically under about 20 lbs) can usually fly in-cabin. Carrier size requirements vary by airline, so check before you buy a carrier.
• Larger pets travel in cargo. It’s more stressful for the animal, and it’s worth researching airline safety records for pet cargo before choosing a carrier.
• Brachycephalic breeds (bulldogs, pugs, Persian cats, and similar) are often restricted from cargo due to breathing risks. Call the airline directly rather than relying on the website.
• Some airlines limit pet travel during summer months due to heat restrictions, which is inconvenient since PCS season peaks in June through August. Build in flexibility if you can.

Note: if you fly rather than drive, pet shipping costs are reimbursable under the 2024 JTR update, up to the $550 CONUS or $2,000 OCONUS limit.

Professional Pet Transport

Pet relocation services are an option that doesn’t get enough attention. Companies like CitizenShipper or PetRelocation can transport your pets via ground or air while you handle the rest of the move. It’s not the cheapest option, but for a long or complicated move, it’s worth pricing out.

Pet shipping costs for separately transported pets are reimbursable under JTR 050107.

Finding Pet-Friendly Lodging on Your Route

Not all pet-friendly hotels are the same. Some charge per pet per night. Some have weight limits. Some only allow dogs, which is worth knowing before you show up with cats. The safest move is always to call ahead and confirm, even if the hotel’s website says pets are welcome.

Hotels worth knowing about:

• BringFido is the most comprehensive pet-friendly hotel database available. You can filter by pet size, fees, and amenities. It’s a solid starting point for building out your route.
• La Quinta is consistently one of the most pet-friendly chains and often charges no additional pet fees. Policies can vary by location, so still worth a quick call, but it’s a reliable first search.
• Kimpton Hotels have a strong pet-friendly reputation with no size limits and no fees at most locations. They also typically honor government per diem rates, which can make them more affordable than they look at first glance. Worth checking if there’s one on your route.

On-Base Lodging

On-base lodging can be a great option but availability is unpredictable and many locations have breed restrictions or limited pet-friendly rooms. As soon as you have travel dates, check availability and book early. Don’t count on it as your only plan.

If you’re using Temporary Lodging Expense at your gaining installation, be aware that not all TLE options allow pets, and those that do often have very limited availability. Book as soon as you have dates confirmed. Your reimbursement covers the lodging rate, not pet fees, so budget for those separately.

Road Trip Tips With Pets

The first couple of hours are usually the hardest. Most pets settle into the rhythm of the car once they realize the world isn’t ending. A little prep goes a long way.

Before you leave:

• Skip the full meal right before departure. A light stomach reduces the chance of car sickness.
• Get dogs out for a good walk or run before you load up. A tired dog travels better.
• For cats, put a familiar blanket or worn t-shirt in the carrier. Scent helps.
• If your pet is a known anxious traveler, talk to your vet before the trip. There are good options for both dogs and cats, but you know your pet best.

On the road:

• Never leave pets in a parked car. Cars heat up faster than expected and it’s not worth the risk, even in mild weather.
• Plan to stop every 2–3 hours. Dogs need bathroom breaks and water. It’s also good for everyone else in the car.
• Keep water accessible but don’t stress if they won’t drink much early on. Anxious pets often won’t drink until they’ve settled.
• Keep cats in their carriers while the car is moving. It’s safer for them and for the driver.

Pets and the road trip portion of your move

If you’re driving to your next duty station, finding pet-friendly hotels along your route is one thing — but making sure those stops actually line up with your authorized travel days and per diem is another.

Our free PCS road trip planner does both at once. Plug in your origin and destination and it maps out your stops, calculates your daily per diem, and flags pet-friendly lodging options along the way so you’re not cross-referencing three different tabs while you plan.

Frequently Asked Questions About PCSing With Pets