Updated January 2023
Licensing and Vet Services
Upon arrival or adoption of new pets, all pets living on and off-base, must be registered with the Kaiserslautern Veterinary clinic on Pulaski Barracks (Vogelweh Military Complex), Bldg. 2928 or another Military Veterinary Treatment Facility (i.e. Baumholder). Veterinary Services are appointment based only and emergency care is not available. Registration consists of maintaining a current medical record and a valid rabies certificate (for cats and dogs). If vaccines are given to your pet off-base, please bring proof of vaccination so we can update our records.
Download this pet registration form and fill it out. Afterward send it to this email address: usarmy.landstuhl.phc-europe.mbx.vmce@health.mil
Veterinary Medical Center Europe: Our clinic hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 0730-1600 and 0730-1400 on Thursdays by appointment only. We are open for lunch, unless otherwise posted due to staffing issues. We post our clinic closures on our website: https://mrc-europe.army.mil/Public-Health-Command-Europe/-Programs-Services/-Veterinary-Services-Treatment-Facilities/Veterinary-Medical-Center-Europe/
DSN: 590-1900 or 06371-9464-1900.
Emergencies
Once you are settled, you should find a German vet in case of after-hours emergencies. The military vet clinics have listings of local German vets.
ID: Animals in Germany -- German law requires that the identification tag be worn on the animal at all times. Rabies certification must be kept current. When not confined, a dog must be on a leash.
Housing: Finding housing with a pet is no more difficult than in the States--some landlords will accept them, some will not. An additional security deposit may be required. Germans love animals and a properly behaved dog on a leash can bring a smile to most. Note the words "properly behaved" and "leash;" again, courtesy and self-discipline are prominent aspects of the society.
Pet insurance: Animals are not allowed to run loose in Germany. Rabies is a problem in Germany, so if you plan to bring your pet, plan for it to live in the house or a fenced yard and only stay outside in a carrier or on a leash. As a pet owner, you are liable for any damage your pet may do--anything from digging up your landlord's flowerbed to causing a car to hit a telephone pole while veering to miss the animal. Most insurance companies offer pet liability insurance at a nominal fee.
Pet Examination Fee: Beginning Feb. 1, pet owners arriving at the Ramstein Passenger Terminal will be assessed a 55 Euro veterinarian examination fee in accordance with European Union Ordinance #998/2003. The fee will be charged per household, not per pet. The fee is not reimbursable on travelers orders and will be payable by credit card only.
More information on pet keeping in Germany
Dog keeping laws
Dangerous Dog guidelines
Pet Shipping info