Moving With Pets
DOD regulations limit pet shipment to passengers in PCS status only.
Air Mobility Command and most commercial airlines compute how much you pay in pet travel fees based on your pet’s weight plus the weight of its kennel. Once you receive orders to Okinawa, contact your Traffic Management Office right away. At that time TMO will need to know your pet’s weight as well as the kennel’s weight and dimensions.
Space-Available Pet Program: Fifteen days prior to AMC flight departure, open pet spaces are available to travelers that already have two pet spaces booked. Contact your local TMO to arrange the additional space. If there is extra space available for your pet, your transportation office will secure a reservation in the passenger/pet reservation system. A confirmation printout will be provided to you to present upon request as the authority to move more than two pets per family.
Note: The commercial airline industry currently imposes a 150-pound weight restriction per pet and kennel and does not allow pet shipments during seasonal hot/cold conditions.
Click here to see AMC guidance on traveling with pets.
Please keep in mind regulations and restrictions change, therefore we recommend you confirm this information with your local transportation office.
Pet Quarantines
On arrival in Japan, dogs and cats must undergo import quarantine for a set period to screen out rabies (and in the case of dogs, rabies and leptospirosis), depending on conditions.
Living in Bachelor Housing: Per MCO P11000.22, residents of Bachelor Housing are prohbited from keeping cats or dogs in Bachelor or Family Housing.
Be advised that pets (other than aquatic animals and caged small birds) can delay, and in some cases, impede assignment to on-base quarters. The no pet policy is in effect for mid- and high-rise tower apartments. You cannot remain on TLA because of nonacceptance of quarters due to pet ownership.
Pet Licensing
Dogs and cats entering Japan are required to have current rabies vaccination and health certificates. (Dogs should also be vaccinated for kennel cough.) Preferably, certificates should be issued by a military veterinarian using DD FORM 2208 for the rabies vaccination and DD FORM 2209 for the health certificate. Rabies date must be put on the health certificate.
Pets are required to have the rabies vaccination no less than 30 days but not more than 365 days prior to entry. Health certificates must be issued no more than 10 days prior to entry. Copies of these certificates, along with PCS orders, must accompany pets and should be affixed to the outside of the shipping cage.
If a pet is traveling without a sponsor's orders, USFJ Forms 380EJ are necessary for customs-free entry and should be obtained from the member's military sponsor at the new permanent duty station in Japan. All original forms must be with the sponsor when going through customs.
Registrations, vaccination, identification and control of pets: All dogs and cats must be registered with the local Veterinary Treatment Facility, or other agency aboard the base as designated by the installation commander, and proof of registration submitted to the Family Housing Office, prior to entry to family housing units. The Family Housing Office will ensure the pet’s information is recorded within the installation’s files. Proof of registration will consist of civilian or military veterinarian certification of required vaccinations and a functioning microchip identification device. All dogs and cats must wear a collar at all times with a valid, current rabies vaccination tag or pet registration tag.
Number of pet allowed: Residents of family housing will be limited to no more than (2) dogs, (2) cats, or (1) cat and (1) dog.
The pet must be registered with the Military Police.
ID tag can be requested from the veterinary office.
Prohibited dog breeds: Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, canid/wolf hybrids, or any canine breed with dominant traits of aggression that present an unreasonable risk to the health and safety of personnel in family housing areas. In the absence of formal breed identification (e.g., certification by a civilian organization such as the American Kennel Club), a determination of “majority breed” will be made by a Veterinary Corps Officer or a civilian veterinarian.
1. Major Laws Related to dogs
Rabies Prevention Law: Prevents the occurrence, spread, and eradication of rabies.
Act on Welfare and Management of Animals: Promotes awareness of animal welfare and prevents harm to humans and livestock caused by animals.
Municipal Dog Ordinance: Prevents harm caused by pet dogs to humans, animals, and others.
2. The Owner's Responsibilities
Register the dog at the municipal office and obtain a registration tag.
If the registration tag is lost or damaged, apply for a replacement at the municipal office.
Vaccinate the dog against rabies every year. Municipal offices conduct group vaccinations between April and June. Call for more information. You can also vaccinate the dog at a local veterinary clinic/hospital.
Present the vaccination certificate at the municipal office and obtain a rabies vaccination tag.
If the rabies vaccination tag is lost or damaged, apply for a replacement at the municipal office.
Do not allow the dog to roam freely. Keep your dog in a fenced area and on a chain.
Ensure the dog always wears the registration tag and vaccination tag.
Failure to comply may result in penalties under Japanese law.
3. In Addition to the Above Responsibilities, Owners of "Dangerous Dogs" Must Comply with the Following Rules
Provide appropriate training to the dog so that the dog obeys the owner's or hander's commands.
Keep dangerous dogs confined in cages and secure them with chains or other restraints.
If kept in a cage, the cage must be lockable, and the owner or caretaker must control the keys.
The cage must be placed in a location where people passing by on public roads cannot come into contact with the dog, and where unauthorized persons cannot easily enter.
Display visible signs such as "Beware of Dangerous Dog" in prominent areas.
When walking a dangerous dog, avoid crowded areas or peak hours. The use of a muzzle is recommended.
When transferring ownership of a dangerous dog, the new owner's information should be reported in advance to the Prefectural Animal Welfare and Management Center.
Definition of a dangerous dog: fighting dogs, large size dogs that are prone to causing harm to humans, such as American Pit Bull Terriers, Rottweilers, Tosa-ken, and other large breeds.
4. If your Dog Escapes
Immediately contact the local police station, municipal office, and the Prefectural Animal Welfare Management Center.
5. Retrieving your Dog from the Prefectural Animal Welfare and Management Center
Captured dogs are kept at the Center for 7 days (excluding weekends and holidays).
A fee is required for retrieval. Please inquire about the cost. The fee must be paid using Prefectural Certificate stamps or "ken-shoshi" only. No cash or credit cards will be accepted. The ken-shoshi are available at local banks or at the first floor of the Public Hygiene Center, a beige, two-story building located on the left from the gate of the Prefectural Animal Welfare and Management Center. (To purchase the Ken-shoshi, however, you need Japanese Yen cash.)
901-1202 Okinawa-ken Nanjo-shi Ozato aza Ozato 2000
Okinawa Prefectural Animal Welfare and Management Center TEL:098-945-3043
Miyako area Miyako Regional Public Health Center TEL: 0980-72-3501
Yaeyama area Yaeyama Regional Public Health Center TEL: 0980-82-3243