PCS with My Pet

PCSing with Your Pet: Resources for Military Families Moving From Hawaiʻi

Moving with your pet off-island is more manageable than you might think. Leaving Hawaiʻi with a pet is far less complicated than bringing one in, and with the right planning and resources, service members can bring their pets with them when they get Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders off-island. This page is designed to make that process as straightforward as possible.

PCS Pet Travel Resources Provided by the Military

Transportation Allowance and Reimbursement Limits

Uniformed Service Members who are given PCS orders may be eligible for reimbursement of travel costs for one pet (cat or dog) per active-duty service member. 

Reimbursement fund limits are as follows (updated as of July 2026):

Continental United States Travel (CONUS) Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS)
$550 per PCS move $2,000 per PCS move
  • Travelers must follow all pet import and export rules, and if directed and available, use government transportation for overseas moves. If this is not available, a note from the Traffic Management Office (TMO) or Installation Transportation Office (ITO) is required for reimbursement. A note is not needed for travelers using privately owned vehicles.
  • The Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) handbook outlines travel policy details for those traveling during a PCS. If a service member is unable to relocate their pet to their next Permanent Duty Station (PDS), they may be entitled to reimbursement for transporting their pet to an alternate location. Reach out to your direct supervisor for guidance specific to your situation.

PCS Pet Reimbursement Procedure

  1. Keep itemized receipts and maintain a record of your pet‑related travel expenses.
  2. Complete DD Form 1351-2 and list all pet-related expenses in Block 18 of the travel voucher.
  3. Submit with PCS orders and include the completed DD Form 1351‑2 and all receipts with your standard PCS travel voucher upon arrival at your new duty station.
  4. Ensure receipts are itemized and show the cost is for one pet, and include the pet’s name when possible. If the pet flew in cargo, the receipt must also include the pet’s weight.
  5. When using commercial travel in place of government‑contracted flights (Patriot Express), make sure you have a non‑availability letter from the Traffic Management Office (TMO).

CONUS and OCONUS Travel Requirements

A service member may be authorized reimbursement for the reasonable and verified cost of mandatory microchipping, boarding fees, hotel service charges, licensing fees at the new Permanent Duty Station (PDS), and pet shipping fees if the member travels by air or if the pet travels separately. For transoceanic travel, government or government‑procured  transportation must be used when available, or reimbursement will not be authorized.

Download our Military Pet Transportation Allowance brochures below for a handy guide that you can take with you:

 

Military Pet Transportation Allowance

 

Alternative Military Pet Transportation Allowance

 

PCS Pet Travel Resources Provided by Civilian Agencies

Many community-based organizations and companies support service members and their families who are PCSing with their pets. The resources below can assist with transportation, fostering, health certificates, and more. 

  • PCSmypet
    • A Georgia-based pet travel logistics company specializing in coordinating PCS travel out of Hawaiʻi. They work with you every step of the way to make sure your pet is cared for during the move.
  • Happy Tails Travel, INC.
    • A pet travel and shipping company with over 30 years of experience helping service members and civilians transport pets both within and outside the continental U.S.
  • Dogs on Deployment
    • Connects service members with a free nationwide pet boarding network and financial assistance programs so no service member has to relinquish guardianship of their pet due to military commitments or hardship
  • Operation Foster
    • A partner of PACT for Animals who helps place pets into foster homes for military personnel facing deployment
  • Island Pet Movers
    • Assists with vaccinations and logistics for both CONUS and OCONUS pet transportation
  • Hawaiʻi Military Pets Facebook group is a great place to get tips directly from service members and their families who have been through this process.

When There Are No Other Options, We’re Here for You

We hope it never comes to this – our campuses can be stressful environments for animals, and our greatest hope is that every pet gets to make this move with the family that loves them. But if you have truly run out of options and your pet has nowhere else to go, please do not abandon them. We ask that you make an appointment in advance so we can best support you and your animal when you arrive. Visit a Pet Kōkua Resource Center at either of our campuses:

Make an Appointment – Mōʻiliʻili Campus

 

PCS With Your Pet FAQs

  • A health certificate is required before traveling to confirm your pet is healthy enough to travel and free of contagious or area-specific diseases. It must be obtained from a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 10 days of your pet’s departure. If relocating out of Hawaiʻi to either CONUS or OCONUS destinations, your pet must also have a current rabies vaccine if they are over three months old.

    The list below is not exhaustive. Refer to the USDA’s website for a full list of accredited veterinarians. A few providers currently offering health certificate examinations include:

    Please note that each provider has its own booking procedures and requirements. Refer to their website or call for more information. The Hawaiian Humane Society is not able to provide health certificates for travel.

  • Most major airlines accommodate pet travel, but each have its own rules regarding size and breed restrictions as well as pricing. For the safety of the animal, some airlines restrict cargo travel during certain times of the year. Please refer to each carrier’s specific policies when booking.

  • Your pet’s travel documents are just as important as yours. Bring the following to the airport:

    • Health certificate
    • Vaccination records
    • Microchip information
    • Letter of accommodation, if your pet’s flight includes a layover or if they have health concerns

  • You can travel with more than one pet, but reimbursement is limited to one cat or dog per active-duty service member. Travel costs for additional pets would not be covered under the standard reimbursement allowance.

  • If you’re unable to relocate your pet to your next Permanent Duty Station (PDS),  you may be entitled to reimbursement for their travel to an alternate location. Reach out to your direct supervisor for guidance specific to your situation.

  • Dogs on Deployment offers a free nationwide boarding network for military pets. Operation Foster, a partner of PACT for Animals, helps place pets in foster homes for service members facing deployment. Local Facebook groups, including the Hawaiʻi Military Pets group, are also helpful places to connect with other military families who may have local recommendations.

  • We know that sometimes plans change in ways that are out of your control. Before considering surrender, we encourage you to explore every available option, including temporary fostering through Dogs on Deployment or Operation Foster. You can also explore rehoming them with someone you know and trust, or use Home to Home — a free community resource that helps pets find homes in the community, rather than coming into the shelter. You can even connect with the Hawaiʻi Military Pets Facebook group for community support and local leads.

    We hope it never comes to surrender. Our campuses can be stressful environments for animals, and our greatest hope is that every pet gets to make this move with the family that loves them. But if you have truly run out of options and your pet has nowhere else to go, please do not abandon them. Schedule an appointment in advance so we can best support you and your pet: