WIESBADEN, Germany - People moving stateside this summer may take most types of pets with them if they plan ahead. However, endangered species laws prevent people from taking some turtles, birds and reptiles to the United States.
"Dogs must be free of disease and be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before they reach the USA," said Mike Dean, director of the U.S. European Command's Customs and Border Clearance Agency. "Puppies younger than three months and dogs in rabies-free areas such as the United Kingdom are exempted, however," he added. Unvaccinated dogs will be inoculated on arrival and confined for 30 days at the owner's expense. Cats must show no signs of disease and rabies vaccination is required in most U.S. states.
People wanting to ship pet birds should consult the US Department of Agriculture web site for the latest information on shipping birds as procedures can change at short notice. The address is:
www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/aphis/ourfocus/importexport
Arrangements to ship pet birds to the U.S. must be made 120 days in advance of the PCS.
Hawaii is the only place in the USA that is permanently free of rabies. Personnel moving to the Aloha State should check with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture web page to find out about their special quarantine requirements for pets at:
hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/animal-quarantine-information-page/.
For more information on shipping pets and endangered species legislation from the "Pets, Wildlife" pamphlet visit a military customs office or consult the CBCA web site at www.eur.army.mil/opm/customs/pets.htm.
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