Moves rarely line up neatly. A pet may need a safe place for days or weeks between the old house and the new one.
What it means
A PCS is a long-term reassignment, as opposed to a short trip. Military OneSource lays out planning for a PCS with pets and notes that a household goods mover cannot carry live animals, so pets travel with the family. Pet paperwork can take months, and health certificates expire quickly, especially for overseas moves, so planning early matters.
Where boarding helps
Boarding covers the in-between days: movers in the house, a lease overlap, a gap before temporary lodging allows pets, or a flight with no pet option. It also covers a family member who goes ahead to the new post. Happy Paws sits on about 10 acres near Dixon, between Sacramento and the Bay Area, in the same part of Solano County as the base.
Costs and rates
The military rate is about 10% off the one-dog nightly price: $47 in Economy, $53 in Business Class and $65 in First Class. Stays of 14 or more nights get the same reduced number, and the sheet does not show the two as combining. Military OneSource notes that reimbursement for pet transport is limited to one pet under the Joint Travel Regulations, so check with your transportation office about which pet costs are covered.
What to line up
Current rabies, distemper/parvo and Bordetella records for dogs, or rabies and FVRCP for cats, good through the stay. Canine influenza is recommended but not required. Pets must be 16 weeks old. Complete the boarding agreement and mark Active Military. Ask about stays beyond four weeks, which are billed every two weeks in advance. Read PCS moves with pets and overseas PCS.
Related
See military rate, TDY and Travis AFB families.
A short PCS checklist
Confirm your report date and the pet rules at the new post. Book boarding as soon as you have dates. Check vaccine expiry dates against the last day of the stay. Gather records, microchip numbers and a recent photo. Name an emergency contact who is not traveling with you. Keep a copy of the boarding agreement. Ask your transportation office which pet costs the rules may reimburse, since only some are.