Starting November 25, 2024, Service members performing a permanent change of station (PCS) move from certain high-risk countries may be approved reimbursement up to $4,000.
In January 2024, the Defense Department authorized the reimbursement of pet relocation expenses for a single household pet (a cat or a dog), such as transportation and quarantine fees, during a PCS move, up to $550 within the continental U.S. and up to $2,000 to or from a location outside the continental U.S.
In August 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) implemented a regulation requiring a higher level of screening for dogs returning to the U.S. from certain countries that pose a high-risk for dog rabies, and significantly reduced the number of ports of entry for dogs from those countries.
In response to the new CDC regulation, the Department has updated the JTR to accommodate Service members transporting a dog during a PCS move from a high-risk country. Effective November 25, 2024, Service members on a PCS move from one of the high-risk countries (listed in JTR Supplement Locations Authorized to Exceed $2,000 Pet Allowance Limitation [PDF, 3 pages]) may receive reimbursement up to $4,000 when both Patriot Express capacity and regularly scheduled commercial airline service are not available for pets. The reimbursement of pet transportation expenses in excess of $2,000 must be approved through the Secretarial Process.
For more information, see frequently asked questions related to pet transportation.