Hey my husband just got orders to go to Germany and i was wondering if i can take my cats and Betta fish?

Question

and if so what paper work is there to do for them to go?

Answer 1

A no on the fish.  The simply would not travel well all the way to Germany.  Better to find them a new home and then do a new tank when you get there.  

As for the cats, your husband should find that out when he has his briefing on the move.  Generally speaking, the military will pay the cost of transporting one pet, with the active duty paying the cost of another. This can run into the thousands depending on where you are going and youwould have to arrange all of that on your own, possibly giving someone a power of attornety to get the pet on the plane if you will have PCSed by then.  Many airlines have put in restrictions on how many animals they will take and when they will take them..several will no longer fly animals in baggage over the summer or winter, so you may have a limited time frame if you have to get one of your animals there on your own.

You will have paperwork that must be filled out by your local vet within a certain time frame before moving.  Once you arrive in Germany, if there are any quarrantine requirements, you would have to pay those costs as well.  

Addtionally Most bases will allow two pets in base housing, but if you plan to live on base eventually, you may want to check on this through the housing office of the base you are moving too.  Also, if you have a sponser, ask how local landlords feel about pets...many cultures don't do indoor pets, so landlords are not thrilled with them and it may be harder to rent off base with two.  You will have forms that your vet will have to complete

I always suggest that pet owners talk with their vets about the animals health and temperment and how that may affect it's ability to fly such a long distance.  An older animal or one with health issues may have a tough time and, in that case, it may be kinder to find someone to take the animal or care for it while you are overseas.

Answer 2

they have to go through quarantine, his command will be giving you a packet of all the info you need.

Answer 3

The cats can go. The fish won't make the trip.

Answer 4

Yes you can take them but the military will not pay to ship them that is on you. You are allowed two animals in housing in Germany (I don not believe fish count) We took our dogs on the airplane over with us, just called the airline we were flying on and paid to get them tickets on our flight, you will also have to have them micro chipped and all their paperwork squared away with the vet. Not sure how to go about getting a fish there, might want to leave him with family.

~There is no quarentine to get them into Germany

Oh and Germany ROCKS!! You are gonna love it! We do!

Answer 5

Simply Yes to the cats, No to the fish.

You local military veternarian should have information on pets entering foreign countries.  Some countries require pets to have specific shots or vaccinations and even some countries that will not allow specific breeds of cats and dogs because of aggression issues.  There may be a possibility of short term quarentine period as well.

Transporting the fish is the problem since airlines now will no longer allow more than 3 ounces of any liquid onto planes.  So unless your fish can survive in that amount, sorry to say, it would be best to have family inherit your fishys.

Also, there IS a very new regulation that the military will now pay for up to 2 pets to travel with you to new assignments.  You will pay for costs up front, ie, airport costs, and when you file your travel voucher, there is a form to claim pet expenses.  There was a recent article in the Air Force Times paper about this but it applies to all services.  Sorry but I dont have the paper anymore that has the article but it is within the last month or so.