What do I need to do to move my animals from the U.S to the U.K. through the military?

Question

We PCS in March to the U.K and we need to move our 2 cats overseas. I know they need to get a rabies shot then bloodwork to measure the amount of rabies vaccine, but after that what do I do? How do I put them on a plane, especially if we will be leaving in Feb for a family visit before we move to the U.K., I also know after the rabies they have to wait 6 months prior to entering the U.K. How are we going to do that if we will be there March 1st, and they won't be able to get there until March 25. Im so confused!

Answer 1

Painful. The problem is not the military, it is the laws in the UK.

Talk to your transportation office. They will have all the rules and regulations and hoops you have to jump thru.

You put them on a plane just like the normal animal cargo -- you deliver them to the baggage handlers. It is best if your on the same flight so you can see them when they are taken off -- even if they have to go to quarenteen you can at least make sure they made the flight safe and are healthy when they go in to the kennel.

There is a LOT of trouble getting pets into the UK... you might consider leaving them with family and getting a British Kitty to join them when you come home!

Good Luck and God Bless!

Answer 2

First of all the first person who answered is..... to put it mildly an idiot.

I looked into the same thing recently when I thought we were going to the UK but it turned out in the end that we are going elsewhere. Here is what I got. You have to have your vet submit a blood sample to certain testing centers and that takes at least 6 weeks. Then when that is done they have to be out of the UK for 6 months.

So you really have only a few choices. You have missed the 6 month window if you have not done the tests. Yes with money you could kennel them or leave them with family and have them shipped later.

But you know the best way (and cheaper) would be for your wife to stay behind and hand carry the cats when they are eligible for entry. We are talking what? A month? You are making a big move so the wife and kids spending time with family would be a good thing as who knows when they will see them again.

Plus you would have time to settle in at your new posting.

Answer 3

Even with all the shots, all pets, regardless of vaccinations and papers, will go into quarantine for 6 MONTHS in the UK due to the strict rabies laws of the UK.
I would contact the British Embassy with regards the Regulations as soon as possible.

Answer 4

You will need updates of vaccinations, a health certificate within 30 days (you can get it from your vet), and UK laws require micro-chiping so you will have to get them micro-chipped ($17.50.) Also, the UK does have a quarantine law so your pets will be on quarantine for I believe six weeks but you will have to make sure when you get there. As far as putting them on the plane, don't feed for 12 hours prior and get sedatives from your vet. They will be considered part of your baggage and will be stored in the cargo compartment. You will want to notify the airline when you purchase your tickets. Also, depending on where you live there are certain temperatures they will not fly animals in such as over 85 degrees in South Carolina. The best thing to do is talk to TMO, you vet, and your sponsor at your new base to find out exactly what you need to do.

Answer 5

Moving pets is tough..especially into the UK. Your husband can request all the information needed from his sponser or you can ask for it from the PCS co-ordinator you are working with. Your animals may end up quarantined for six months once you arrive in England...an exspense you may have to pay. Also, the animals will need to be checked out by a vet withing a short time period before flying. You will have to give whomever is taking care of them a limited power of attorney to get them vet cleared and to get them on the correct flights. The military usually only pays to ship one animal...you will have to pay for the other most likely and that is costly. Also, airlines have very limited windows of when they will transport animals ...summer and winter tend to be black out periods because the weather causes extreme temperartures in the holds of the plane. You need to do your research now. You may also need to seriously consider leaving your cats behind. Having pets in the military takes a lot of time, effort and money when it comes to moving. Animals, especially older pets or ones with health issues, often do not handle the transport well or, when applicable, the extended times in quarantine. We chose to not have any pets until we knew we would no longer have a chance of a family PCS overseas (we have a child with autism..no overseas bases can provide his services, so we are stuck stateside) before getting a pet. Only accept answers you get from your own PCS co-ordinator and from the paperwork you get from your new base...too many times regs change and you may be given advice from a person who moved under the old rules.

Answer 6

not sure check with family services on any base.you could probly call them,i do know that the
UK has a restriction on entry,but military may have there on rules,sounds like you have the cats
all ready to go