YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea - A U.S. Army veterinarian says that U.S. service members moving to Korea with pets will need to plan their moves carefully during the peak summer months.
Lt. Col. Douglas S. Owens, the 106th Medical Detachment clinical operations chief, said pet policies on airlines and in Army family housing require advance planning.
Owens said airlines restrict pets on flights during the summer months and pet owners should check with their airlines well in advance of their permanent change of station moves. Owens added that the cost to ship pets to Korea by cargo can be very expensive and waivers are available for service members to fly together with their pets.
According to Owens, the Army's Residential Communities Initiative, which is in effect at 98 percent of U.S. Army posts in the continental United States, restricts certain large breeds of dogs from living in Army family housing.
Among the restricted breeds are Pit Bulls (American Staffordshire Bull Terriers or English Staffordshire Bull Terriers), Rottweilers, Doberman Pinchers, Chows and Wolf hybrids, as well as dogs that demonstrate dominant or aggressive behavior.
The Korean Quarantine Inspection Agency previously announced changes to pet importation requirements that were supposed to take effect last December, said Owens. However, he said those changes have been postponed until Dec. 1, 2012.
Owens said that PCSing with pets requires research and due diligence.
"As long as people are paying attention and doing their homework, they should be fine," said Owens.
For more information on moving with pets to South Korea, visit http://www.korea.amedd.army.mil/veterinary/4_pcsing/requirements.html
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