PCSing with your Pet

Planning a trip is hard enough when you think of what you have to pack for yourself or your family – especially if your trip is taking you far from home. When you add a four-legged family member in the mix, things can get straight up stressful.

In my Journey to Japan blogs {catch up here if you missed them} I mentioned I would have to dedicate an entire post to our international move with our pups. By having your pet travel with you, there are just a few more layers of stress and “to-dos” associated with bringing your furry friends along for your adventure. Hopefully my experience will help you out!

When we found out we were moving to Japan we had two months to make everything happen. The most stressful thing that I cried over so many times was not leaving family or friends, not the movers packing up our stuff, but our DOGS. Crazy right? As odd as that sounds, there are SO MANY rules and regulations you have to follow in addition to just getting yourself ready.

My obsession with my dogs is real. In fact, they became the main characters in my latest children's book that tackles of topic of deployment told through the eyes of a dog. {Click here to check it out!!}

I’m going to break it down into three categories (country guidelines, flying accessories, and flying tips) all while attempting not to have remissive panic attacks talking about it all!

Country Guidelines

Each country you visit has designated requirements on standards you must fulfill for your pets before bringing them in legally. We moved to a “Rabies-Free” country which has some of the strictest. I will go into detail all we had to do for Japan but if you are flying into another country, please do your research for that location!!

Japan is designated “rabies-free”. When we caught wind there was even a small chance of coming here, I immediately began the process of getting our dogs ready to move with us. I recommend if you are moving to Japan to do this ASAP (you cannot procrastinate AT ALL).

I will reference a link below regarding additional information for Japan. Feel free to visit it here

I also recommend making at least 5 copies of everything that has a paper trail - everybody and their momma needs it.

Here is what we had to do for the dogs:

1) Microchip

Our boys already had a microchip (thank goodness) as they received them when they were neutered. There are certain microchips that are accepted and ones that are not. We have HomeAgain and it is within the requirements.

2) Vaccines

After the microchip is implanted, your pet must have TWO rabies shots registered under the microchip serial number.

This was one of the first things that caused an issue for us. Maverick was not even a year old at the time we were planning this move. That means having multiple records when the rabies vaccine is an annual shot was not possible. Monroe only had one under the chip as well. LUCKILY you can administer a rabies shot every 30 days if need be, so after many trips back and forth to the vet – the boys were covered with two shots each.

3) FAVN Test

This is a blood test to check for rabies and can sometimes be called a “titer test”. This test cannot be taken until after the second shot of rabies is administered. Once the blood is drawn, it is sent to a lab to be checked for viral antibodies (rabies). If your pet is within the approved limit, they will be placed under “quarantine”.

4) Quarantine

This was one of my biggest anxiety driven and stress filled aspects of bringing the dogs with us. The word quarantine makes think of an isolated area that your pet must be kept in to live the rest of their days. The quarantine period for pets traveling to Japan is SIX MONTHS. Since we were moving to Japan in two months from when all of this started, I started to freak out because that would leave 4 months for Monroe and 5 months for Maverick left in their quarantine by the time we were supposed to arrive. *Queue my complete breakdown into hysterical crying here*. Not in any way shape or form was I going to let my dogs be kept in a cage for months on end without me being with them. This led me to the conclusion that I was going to have to stay behind with the dogs until their quarantine was up. Thus began even more crying because Robbie and I would be separated and not get to experience our new home together at first. I was a mess (understatement of the year folks).

After many hours of internet research and cross-checking facts in countless places, I found relief. Since we were moving with the military, the dogs could be in “quarantine” on base living with us due to the fact we will be on American soil (technically). I’m pretty sure I cried again but this time it was tears of relief from this revelation.

5) 40 Days Advance Notice

Japan requires you let the government know 40 days before your arrival that you are bringing pets into the country. The document I linked above has the website with information on who you need to contact for the advanced notice. Just know that when you contact them, you have to have your rabies and FAVN information. The paperwork requires specific items such as rabies brand information and antibody count from the FAVN test. If you do not have your test results back yet, you will not have all the information needed and you cannot submit for advanced notice.

Ready for another shocker? This was yet another stressful process to getting the dogs ready for their new home. I originally booked our tickets 39 days before our arrival and when I found out I had to give advanced notice, it was 38 or 37 days before we were set to step foot into Japan. If you know me, you know that I am a stickler for rules. In order to not get in “trouble”, I called and changed our flight to be in accordance of their 40 day rule.

There was also a lot of back and forth email with the “advance notice” people. Our original orders said Okinawa. They would not approve the paperwork with our actual location where we were headed without the proper paper trail from the military stating we were going there. Eventually I was able to get a memo that had an amendment to our orders that stated our destination so it would be accepted.

6) Health Certificate

Within ten days of your arrival date, you have to have a valid health certificate from either a USDA certified vet or a military vet that states your animal is in good health. Make sure all the data for your pet is correct before you leave the vet! Since my dogs are so similar, we ran into a lot of issues with their numbers getting confused – yet another stressful event to add to our long list.

7) Customs

Upon arrival in the country you will have to visit customs and go through the process of verifying your pet.

8) Arrival Notification

Within 72 hours of arrival you have to contact the military vet and notify them of your arrival (this only pertains to you if you are traveling on military orders).

Flying Accessories

We had a 14+ hour direct flight from Atlanta to Tokyo and our dogs were traveling as carry-ons since they fit within Delta’s specifications. I knew that I was going to have a tough time on that flight which made me prepare as much as possible for the dogs since they would be in the same boat. Here are some of my essentials I recommend to carry with you if you have to fly with an animal in cabin.

Organized Binder with All your Pet’s Paperwork (be sure to have many copies)
Soft-Sided Pet Carrier

I highly recommend this pet carrier. It has two expansion areas to allow your dog to stretch out. There are a bunch of entry points so you can pet them or slip them treats easily. They flew at our feet so I was able to unzip the expander on one side the entire flight and both sides while we were waiting for our flight.

Doggie Melatonin/ Chill Out Pill from the Vet

I brought both the melatonin and a vet prescribed pill on our flight. The melatonin I ordered from Chewy.com (linked here) but it did not calm the little guys down much – totally understandable! I ended up using the vet prescribed pill that had a 12 hour effect.

Items for if your Pet has an Accident
Super Absorbent Pet Carrier Pads

These super thick and absorbent pads (here) are supposed to immediately wick away any messes. The pups never used them but I was very thankful they were there for peace of mind.

Regular Pee Pads

I used them to line the bathroom floor of the airplane restroom when I let them stretch their legs (the flight attendants were more than accommodating to let the guys stretch their legs in the restroom – don’t be afraid to ask!)

Grocery Bags and Trash Bags to contain any messes

Collapsible Water Bowl and Water Bottle
Treats

I did not feed the dogs the morning of our flight to help limit bathroom use. To make up for that I packed a variety of small training treats to chewing stick-like treats for the flight to curb hunger

Blankets for their carriers
Leashes

Flying Tips

When going through security, you will have to take your pet out of the carrier. Make sure you have their leash ready. Try to have a leash with minimal metal pieces on it as you have to walk through a metal detector.
Be prepared to look rather silly trying to shove your dog back into their carrier. I found it best to expand all the extra compartments in the carrier I showed you above, put them back in it (I literally had to shove my poor guys in), and then zip up the expansions. It’s the easiest way I promise!
Atlanta has pet areas in their airport. Before our flight I took our dogs in there to let them stretch, try to relieve themselves, get a final drink, and administer their pill without the judgement of others.
Make sure you know where everything is for your pet when you are flying. I recommend keeping a bag of treats in your pocket that way you can give them intermittently throughout the flight.
I shared my bread sticks that came with my in-flight food with my dogs. Some people choose not to let yours have table food - I’m not that kind of person.
Don’t be afraid to ask the flight attendant if your pet can go to the restroom with you.
Don’t completely shut your pet out. I would stick my hand in the carrier and rub them every so often. I would also listen to movies or music with one earbud out to make sure they were not crying. Nobody wants to fly for hours on end with a dog freaking out at your feet. Be kind to others.

I cannot believe I lived through all that stress with the majority of my sanity. I wished I found a list this comprehensive when we were getting ready to leave which is why I knew I had to record my experience to hopefully help others. After all of this I feel like I travel anywhere with my dogs by my side.

If you had to choose anywhere in the world to go and bring your pet, where would you choose?

Always chase your tales,