The Department of Defense has approved a new policy to cover pet travel expenses, such as pet shipping or quarantine fees, incurred by service members as a result of a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move.
As of Jan. 1, 2024, service members going through a PCS within the continental United States can be reimbursed up to $550 for one household pet, either cat or dog, and up to $2,000 for moves to or from a location outside the continental United States to cover costs related to the transportation of a pet.
The DOD made the announcement in a release Wednesday.
“Historically, service members paid the majority of out-of-pocket expenses to transport pets when assigned to a new duty station,” the release states. “This policy reduces that financial burden while recognizing the important role a pet plays in a military family's household.”
However, a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act reads that service secretaries may reimburse a service member for any cost related to the relocation of a pet up to $4,000 per move to or from a duty station outside the continental United States and up to $550 for a move within the United States.
The services estimate the new allowance may be used by an estimated 227,000 service members.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
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