PCS Pet Allowance: What the Military Reimburses for Moving a Pet
Uniformed service members can be reimbursed up to $550 for a CONUS PCS and up to $2,000 for a PCS to or from an overseas duty station. The allowance covers one dog or cat per move. Reviewed September 2026.
The short answer
- Who: uniformed service members with PCS orders effective on or after January 1, 2024. Congress created the allowance in the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act.
- How much: up to $550 within the continental US, up to $2,000 to or from an overseas duty station, per PCS move.
- How many pets: one household pet, a dog or a cat. Dual-military couples on separate orders may each be able to claim one; confirm with your finance office.
- Exception: up to $4,000 when leaving a CDC high-risk rabies country and no Patriot Express or commercial airline can take pets.
What the allowance reimburses
Keep an itemized receipt for each of these:
- Pet shipping, when your pet travels separately from you
- Mandatory microchipping
- Quarantine fees
- Boarding
- Hotel pet charges
- Pet licensing at your new duty station
- Rabies titer tests
Anything above the cap, and every pet after the first, is out of pocket.
The $4,000 exception
Since November 25, 2024, up to $4,000 can apply to a PCS from a CDC high-risk rabies country, when both Patriot Express capacity and regularly scheduled commercial airline service are unavailable for pets. Amounts over $2,000 need approval through your service's Secretarial Process.
Most common duty stations don't qualify. Japan, South Korea, Germany, Italy and the UK are not on the CDC high-risk list. Turkey, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and the Philippines are.
Patriot Express first, then commercial
For an overseas move, your transportation office will book the Patriot Express first. It takes two pets per family, up to 150 lb per pet and kennel. AMC charges $125 per kennel up to 70 lb, $250 for 71–140 lb and $375 for 141–150 lb.
If it can't take your pet because spaces are full, of weight, breed or heat limits, or because it doesn't fly your route, ask for a non-availability letter before you book commercial cargo. It is generally required to claim commercial shipping on an overseas move.
What it looks like in practice
| Move | Typical cost | Maximum reimbursed | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| One large dog, CONUS to Germany by commercial cargo | $2,000–$5,500 | $2,000 | $0–$3,500 |
| Two cats, CONUS to Japan | $2,800–$8,000 | $2,000 (one cat) | The rest, including the second cat |
| One dog, Hawaii to the mainland | $1,200–$3,500 | $2,000 | $0–$1,500 |
Costs are Best Pet Travel's typical ranges for these routes. Your quote depends on the pet's size, the route and the season.
How to file
- Before you book, confirm with your transportation office whether the Patriot Express can take your pet, and get a non-availability letter if it can't.
- Keep itemized receipts for every covered expense, including the shipper's invoice.
- File with your PCS travel claim through your finance office, with the receipts and your orders.
- Ask early if anything is unusual, such as a move from a high-risk rabies country or dual-military orders.
Common questions
Does the military pay to ship pets on a PCS?
Partly. Uniformed service members with PCS orders effective on or after January 1, 2024 can be reimbursed up to $550 for a move within the continental US and up to $2,000 for a move to or from an overseas duty station, for one dog or cat per move.
How many pets does the PCS pet allowance cover?
One household pet, meaning one dog or cat, per PCS move. Costs for additional pets are out of pocket.
When does the $4,000 pet allowance apply?
Since November 25, 2024, up to $4,000 can apply to a PCS from a CDC high-risk rabies country when neither the Patriot Express nor regularly scheduled commercial airlines can take pets. Amounts over $2,000 need approval through your service's Secretarial Process.
What pet expenses are reimbursable?
Shipping when the pet travels separately, mandatory microchipping, quarantine fees, boarding, hotel pet charges, pet licensing at the new duty station, and rabies titer tests.
Do I need a non-availability letter to ship my pet commercially?
For an overseas move, generally yes. Ask your transportation office to book the Patriot Express first. If it can't take your pet, get a non-availability letter before you book commercial cargo so the cost stays claimable.
Sources
- Military OneSource: Patriot Express passenger and pet transportation
- Military.com: Patriot Express pet fees and the PCS pet allowance
- Aerotech News: new reimbursement for pet travel during a PCS move
- CDC: high-risk rabies countries for dogs
Rules change. Confirm current amounts with your transportation or finance office before you book.
Planning an overseas PCS?
Our overseas PCS pet shipping guide covers Patriot Express rules and the entry requirements for Japan, Korea, Germany, Italy, the UK and Hawaii. For a written quote with itemized receipts you can file, see our military pet relocation service.