Military Pet Housing Policy

When transferring to a new duty station, a service member may wonder what will happen to the furry (or feathered) member of his family. Knowing the military's pet policy can help determine whether you can live in base housing or will have to find living arrangements off-base. Rules vary throughout the military, but there are some underlying standards.

  1. Differences

    • Each base and branch of service has its own specific rules. The army, for instance, no longer allows service members living on base to own specific breeds of dogs, such as pit bulls and chows. This policy affects all duty stations and has encountered controversy from supporters of the breeds. Other policies may take into account the laws of the country in which the base is located.

    Small Animals

    • Most bases will accept small, caged animals (such as hamsters or birds) as well as fish. These animals should not be allowed outside the service member's living quarters. Military families should contact their base's housing office before bringing or adopting any of these animals, as there may be special regulations or procedures relating to these pets.

    Restrictions

    • Many bases that allow pets will have restrictions on the number of pets allowed. For instance, if the base allows two pets, you might be able to have two dogs, or a dog and a cat, but not two dogs and two cats. Many bases also will not allow exotic pets like skunks or ferrets. These restrictions sometimes can take into account small animals that some people might overlook, like gerbils. For some military base housing, if you have two gerbils, for instance, you would not be able to own a dog.

    Veterinary Care

    • On bases that allow pets, animals should be up to date on rabies vaccinations. Some bases will require tags from the vet on base to prove the status of this. Bases may also require your pet to be microchipped in case any pet is lost or found loose on the premises. This microchipping does not have to be done by the base vet; you just need to prove that it has been done by someone.

    Controversy

    • There is some controversy over the restriction for certain breeds, according to BestFriendsNetwork.org. Though the policy allows pets of these breeds that already live on base to remain there, it does not provide for future moves. If a service member with a doberman, for instance, was transferred to a new base, he would not be able to bring the dog to his new base housing. In many cases, the service member may then be required to forfeit his dog to an animal care facility, which creates stress and unhappiness for both the service member and the dog. People who oppose these restrictions advocate a focus on responsible dog ownership rather than particular breeds.