As of January 2024, the Joint Travel Regulations explains pet travel for PCS moves and the allowable reimbursements. Up to $2,000.00 for OCONUS moves
Using Island Pet Movers to help move your pet is even more obtainable with the new PCS Pet Relocation Reimbursement Allowance!
As a Veteran owned business, with nearly all of our employees military spouses, we’re thrilled to witness our military clients receiving assistance in keeping their beloved furry family members by their side.
When we say “We get military PCS moves, we really do” Our owner moved with her first pet to Germany as an Army kid more than 43 years ago!
The recent amendment to JTR 050107, which permits reimbursement for pet travel during a PCS move, marks a significant victory for our military personnel. Prior to 2024, the cost of relocating pets as part of a military PCS came entirely out of the owner’s pocket.
It’s important to note that there are specific rules to adhere to, and this reimbursement is a recent development as of January 2024. Consequently, we anticipate some initial confusion among travel teams regarding the processing and potentially longer timelines for reimbursement, but the option is now available.
For military clients with multiple pets, we are committed to working with you to provide separate invoices, each clearly delineating the allowable pet to comply with the guidelines. Additionally, we will provide guidance on which receipts to submit to ensure you receive your full reimbursement allocation.
For dual-married families, we are more than happy to issue two separate invoices if you have two pets, ensuring that both active-duty members receive the eligible reimbursement.
Some FAQs surrounding the new policy can be found here: https://www.travel.dod.mil/Support/ALL-FAQs/Article/3624131/pet-transportation-allowance/
Information copied directly from the JTR as of January 2024:
050107. Pet Expenses Due to a PCS
A. Eligibility. A Service member on a PCS order is authorized reimbursement for mandatory quarantine fees for household pets. A household pet is a cat or a dog.
B. Allowances. Reimbursement for the actual cost of these fees is authorized, limited to $550 per PCS move.
C. Pet Quarantine Information. See Pet Quarantine Information and the DTMO website for more details.
D. Pet Transportation. Transportation for a household pet is not a reimbursable expense unless the transportation is due to an evacuation from a foreign PDS in accordance with par. 060204.
E. Changes Effective 2024. On January 1, 2024, the following pet transportation allowances will apply:
1. Eligibility. A Service member on a PCS order with an effective date of January 1, 2024 or later, as defined in Appendix A, may be authorized reimbursement for the costs related to the relocation of one household pet that arises from a permanent change of station. A household pet is a cat or a dog, owned for personal companionship. A Service member is responsible for following rules for importing and exporting a pet to and from the United States in order to be eligible for reimbursement. Denial of entry could result in denial of reimbursement.
2. CONUS. A Service member may be authorized the reasonable and substantiated cost of mandatory microchipping, boarding fees, hotel service charges, licensing fees at the new PDS, and pet shipping fees if the member flies rather than drives, or the pet is shipped separately from the member. Reimbursement for the actual cost of all expenses is limited to $550 per PCS move.
3. OCONUS. A Service member may be authorized the reasonable and substantiated cost of mandatory microchipping, quarantine fees, boarding fees, hotel service charges, licensing fees at the new PDS, testing titer levels for entry, and pet shipping fees if the member flies rather than drives, or the pet is shipped separately from the member. For transoceanic travel, use of Government or Government-procured transportation must be used if available or reimbursement for transportation costs is not authorized. Reimbursement for the actual cost of all necessary expenses described above in connection with the movement of a pet is limited to $2,000 per PCS move.