Andersen clinic helps ship furry friends stateside Published Dec. 18, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Mariah Haddenham 36th Wing Public Affairs ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- More than 300 service members and their families visit the Andersen Veterinary Treatment Facility each year to prepare their pets for trips across the ocean during permanent change of station moves. Many base organizations specialize in accomplishing the large number of PCS-related tasks prior to moving such as household goods, medical clearances, and personnel records but many movers have questions when it comes to the process of shipping the family pet, said the base veterinarian. "Traveling with a pet can be complicated depending on where a person is going," said Capt. Angelina Gerardo, Public Health Command Region-Pacific Andersen Veterinary Treatment Facility officer in charge. "Traveling back to the states can be fairly easy, but overseas locations such as Japan and Europe have different requirements. It is best to let us know your destination as soon as possible so we have adequate time to ensure the pet meets the requirements to travel and can schedule any necessary vaccinations." In order to travel, a pet needs to be up to date on its shots and have a valid health certificate issued 10 days before travel. This certificate must be presented to the final destination's local department of agriculture upon arrival. "The pet will need a rabies vaccination certificate, an acclimation certificate, and a health certificate," Gerardo said. All paperwork will be presented to the owner at the appointment they schedule within that 10-day window before travel, including cases where pets are vaccinated for rabies off base. There are possibilities of additional requirements depending on the desired destination, and the clinic also recommends crate training pets before traveling with them. "Pets are required to travel in a (crate), so the process runs much smoother if the pet has already been acclimated to spending a certain amount of time in a (crate)," said Army Sgt. Guang Song, PHCD-WESPAC animal care specialist. "The key is to make the pet feel at home and comfortable in the (crate) rather than make them feel as though they are being punished. Successfully completing this makes the move less stressful for the pet and the owner." Proper planning and regular vet visits can help keep service members informed on the needs of their pets and the specific requirements they will have to meet during their PCS. It is often advised to contact the airline in advance for kennel requirements and pet shipping prices. Call the Andersen Veterinary Treatment Clinic at 366-3205 for more information or to make an appointment.