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Tips for Military Pet Owners Being Deployed
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Military personnel who are deployed overseas will face
decisions about the care of their pets.
This week's tipsheet includes information for military
service pet owners who are called to duty overseas.
The first section addresses military personnel who are
taking pets overseas; the second offers suggestions
for military personnel who are leaving pets in the
care of someone else. A resource list appears at the
end. Next week, we'll look at ways that civilians can
help the pets of military personnel.
TIPS FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL taking pets with them.
Tips excerpted from
http://www.4militaryfamilies.com/pets.htm and the
ArkTrust.
For military families that are being transferred
overseas with Service personnel, sometimes pets can go
along. The family pet offers some measure of comfort
and stability at a critical time. Studies such as one
conducted by Chumley, Gorski, Saxton, Granger and New
in 1994 entitled "Companion Animal Attachment and
Military Transfer" document how keeping pets and their
military families together reduced emotional trauma
and consequent personal and family problems associated
with location transfers.
If you receive transfer orders and plan to take your
pet, make arrangements as early as possible:
Health History: Gather all pertinent information
about your animal's health, including surgeries,
vaccines and medications. If you are unable to find
this information, contact your veterinarian for a copy
of your animal's records.
Medical Supplies: Ask your veterinarian to provide a
3-month supply of medications for your companion
animal as well as written prescriptions for refills
that you can present to any veterinarian.
Quarantine Requirements: If you are transferred
overseas, determine if the country where you will be
based requires incoming animals to be quarantined.
Quarantine periods can last anywhere from several days
to several months and the pet owner typically incurs
any costs for food, grooming and care. Your base
veterinarian or the country's consulate should be able
to inform you of all quarantine regulations and costs.
How Can I Prepare My Animal For Air Travel? The
Department of Defense has strict policies regarding
the transport of animals on military craft. Please
contact your base veterinarian.
If you are flying on commercial aircraft, contact the
airline on which you will be traveling to request
their specific guidelines concerning vaccine,
licensing and carrier size requirements.
While some airlines allow companion animals in the
cabin, others will require that your animal be placed
in the cargo hold, so be prepared. Find nonstop
flights to your destination to avoid the chance of
your animal being accidentally misplaced during
connections. Travel early in the morning or late in
the evening during summer months or when flying to or
from hot climates. Sedatives and tranquilizers are not
advised since animals may have adverse reactions at
high altitudes. Check with your veterinarian.
Regardless of who provides the transportation, your
pet should always be kept in a sturdy and roomy
carrier marked with your name, contact address, e-mail
address and phone number. The carrier's lock should be
tested prior to travel and as an additional precaution
your pet should always wear a collar and I.D. tag with
current information.
TIPS FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL leaving pets with someone
back home. Tips excerpted from the ASPCA webpage
http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/military_dogprof.pdf?docID=542
If you are called to deploy and will be leaving your
pet in the care of family and friends, be sure to:
* Have a written agreement outlining the pet care
arrangement. The agreement should cover important
issues such as what will happen to your pet if the
temporary caregiver can no longer care for him...who
is liable for any damage done by your pet...what will
happen if you are unable to reclaim your pet...and
what happens if the pet is injured or dies while in
the temporary home.
* Complete a cat personality profile or a dog
personality profile to help your pet's caretaker
understand your pet's particular needs. Including a
list of her likes and dislikes, where she sleeps, what
she eats, what medications she takes, and any other
important information.
* Make sure that your pet is up-to-date on all his
vaccinations and provide your pet's caretaker with
veterinary records.
* Outfit your pet with a collar and tag with the
temporary caretaker's contact information. Also make
sure your pet is wearing a rabies tag or license as
required by law in your community.
* Leave contact information on how to reach your
pet's veterinarian. Arrange who will pay for routine
and emergency care. Consider leaving your credit card
information with set dollar limits with your
veterinarian so your pet can receive emergency care if
needed. Make arrangements for what should happen if
the care exceeds the set dollar limit.
* Provide money for food, toys, grooming, and other
routine needs.
* Have your pet spayed or neutered. Spaying or
neutering your pet will make him healthier and make
things easier for his temporary caregiver. You don't
want your pet fathering unwanted litters or spraying
furniture while in his temporary home. (Studies show
that neutered dogs are also less likely to bite, roam,
exhibit territorial aggression and other problems.)
RESOURCES related to military pet owners and military
pet fostering:
http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/military_dogprof.pdf?docID=542
Tips for pet owners in the military.
http://www.4militaryfamilies.com/pets.htm
4MilitaryFamilies provides tips for taking care of
military pets during foster care or moves. J
http://www.netpets.org
For details about the NetPet foster-matching service,
click on Military pets foster project.
http://www.felinerescue.net
Click "Operation Noble Foster" for feline fostering
info and a sample contract form. J
http://www.hsus.org/ace/11822
Info from the Humane Society of the United States,
including a checklist and a sample contract form.
Thank you to Sharon Ardison for suggesting this topic.
For more Dog Tips and other information about pet
care, adoption and the work PAW does, visit our
website at: www.paw-rescue.org
Stamp Reminder: Please use the "Spay-Neuter Pets"
U.S. Postage Stamps.
Partnership for Animal Welfare, Inc.
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| Last Updated: December 08, 2011 (LET) | PawSupport | |