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86th AW/IG Complaints & Resolution Frequently Asked Questions

Space A-Guidelines for Pet Shipment

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR PET SHIPMENT
Only PCS status passenger may request pet shipment. Pets will not be shipped by personnel in a leave or TDY/TAD status. Sponsor(s)/ dependent(s) must accompany the pet to the final destination.

Pets are defined as dogs and cats only and are restricted to a maximum of two pets per family, unless moved under the grandfathered policy or space available pet program (see below). The maximum weight (kennel and pet) cannot exceed 150lbs. Waivers will not be issued for weight or type of pets.

(1) GRANDFATHERED PET POLICY: AMC will ship more than two pets to CONUS (only), provided pet spaces are available and the sponsor has documented proof that AMC moved these pets overseas prior to 1 Sep. 2001 (the date the two-pet-limit-per-family was implemented). Contact TACC/XOG (Scott AFB passenger reservation section) to arrange the additional space (see 3 below). It is the responsibility of the passenger to maintain the documented proof of a grandfathered pet shipment.

(2) SPACE AVAILABLE PET PROGRAM: 15 days prior to AMC flight departure, pet spaces open in the Global Air Transportation Execution System (GATES) are available to travelers that already have two pet spaces booked. The Military Transportation Office (MTO)/ commercial ticket office (CTO) must contact TACC/XOG to arrange the additional space(s) (see 3 below). After the additional space(s) is booked, the MTO/CTO will print out a confirmation for the traveler form the GATES pet/reservation screen. The traveler must retain this confirmation and present upon request as the authority to move more than two pets per family. NOTE: Pets moved under this program are not eligible to move under the grandfathered pet policy, and will only be moved back to CONUS under the space available pet program.

(3) A pet allocation increase request form is required to request an additional pet space(s) under the grandfathered pet policy and the space available pet program.  Email the request to Petallocations@scott.af.mil or Fax to DSN (312)779-7876, or commercial 618-229-7876.

The commercial airline industry currently imposes a 100 pound pet weight restriction and curtails pet shipments during seasonal hot/cold conditions. They also require animals be less than 6 months old when they travel in the same kennel. Please inform travelers of these industry restrictions.

PASSENGER RESPONSIBILITES
Passengers should briefed that it is their responsibility to meet all pet shipment requirements, such as, documentation, immunization, country pet entry requirements, quarantines and all costs associated with the shipment of their pet(s) as well as the following information:

(1) All passengers are required to meet European Union (EU) pet entry requirments.  This includes the EU VETERINARY CERTIFICATE which  identifies the microchip identification number.

(2) KENNEL: The passenger must provide a hard-shell, hard-sided international air transport association (IATA) or U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) approved kennel which is available at most exchange/retail stores. No soft-sided or collapsible kennels will be accepted, even for in-cabin pets. To qualify for in-cabin travel, kennels must be hard sided and no larger than 20"L X 16"W X 8"H. The kennel must be large enough for the animal to stand up, turn around, and lie down with normal posture and body movements. Several layers of newspaper, shredded paper, or absorbent material should be placed in the bottom of the container. Do not use straw, hay, grass, sawdust, sand, or soil. Normally, pets will be individually kenneled; However, two small animals of the same species and of comparable size up to 20 may be shipped in the same kennel. Two pets in one container are considered to occupy two pet spaces in GATES; however, the passenger will only pay one pet charge.

(3) See veterinarian for advice on preparing the pet for shipment. Consider factors such as feeding, watering, sedative, ETC. If at all possible, do not ship female pets that are in heat (estrus). This condition causes great distress to other pets and may result in injury. Females with suckling young and unweaned animals (normally less than 8 weeks old) will not be accepted for carriage.

(4) CHARGES: Pets and their kennels with a combined weight up to 70 pounds will be charged the same rate as one piece of excess baggage, 71-140 pounds will be charged as two pieces, and 141-150 pounds will be charged as three pieces. Please call the respective passenger terminal for current pet charges.

(5) Due to limited pet storage area, passengers will retain custody of pets until approximately 45 min. prior to boarding. Most airports require pets to remain in their container while in the terminal area.