PCSing with Pets

When we found out we were PCSing to Germany, one of my first thoughts was my dogs. Marvel (75-pound, rambunctious, four-year-old boxer) and Luna (65-pound, lazy, fat, five-year-old Australian Shepherd) are part of our family. There was absolutely no way I was leaving them behind. I actually told Jake that he could deny orders if we weren't allowed to bring our dogs (I was being slightly hysterical - being postpartum will do that to you). My fur babies are just that - my babies.

We obviously found out that we could bring our heathens. Figuring out how to get them to Germany was another story. I combed the internet, asked questions of friends, and I still didn't have a lot to go on. Most people we know have shipped pets to Hawaii or Japan. Germany is not somewhere that Marines go all that often. After many calls, internet researches, quotes, and mental break-downs, here we are: three weeks out. We have the dogs booked on Lufthansa with us to fly from LAX to Frankfurt to Stuttgart. We have the airline approved kennels (totally didn't know this was a thing). We have the stickers that go on the kennels. We have the microchips and the vaccinations. The only thing we have left to do is the pet health certificate that our vet will give us ten days out.

Thankfully, there is no quarantine going to Germany, like I know there is for Hawaii and Japan. If you're going to Germany and want to take your pet, there are definitely things you need to be doing.

First off, your dog has to be up-to-date on vaccinations. They also need an updated rabies booster. If you are in San Diego, there are certain days that you can go to the Humane Society for vaccinations at a discount. They also place microchips, which you will need, for $15. The microchip has to be placed BEFORE the rabies vaccine is given. I have no idea why, but that's what they say, so we did what we were told.

As for flights, Delta flights do not accept snub-nose breed dogs. United also does not, but Lufthansa does. You can get a Lufthansa flight with a codeshare for United, just make sure you ask SATO. Sometimes they need a push. Ok so, for the annoying part. We have a tall dog. Lufthansa flights accept kennels 33 inches (height) and under for excess baggage. American kennel sizes are either 30 inches in height or 35. If you have to use the giant crate for your pet, you have to hire a pet shipping service to send your dogs, and it's definitely not cheap. We were quoted anywhere from $2500 to $4500. The kennels themselves are $159 (for the XL 30 inches). Here's what you can do: get the XL kennel ($159 on Amazon) and get a kennel extender (we used dryfur brand - $185 after shipping) and got an extra three inches for the kennel. It's not cheap, and it's super frustrating, but it's cheaper than hiring a service. We haven't flown yet, so we are hoping like hell that this works.

Booking with Lufthansa, our pet flights were almost $500 each, so honestly, still cheaper than hiring a service. If you are flying into Frankfurt, I hear that they have a fantastic pet center in their airport. Within ten days of our departure, we will take the dogs to the military vet on base and have forms signed stating that our pets are healthy enough for travel. This is the Pet Health Certificate.

Shipping pets is honestly a pain. It's been the biggest stressor of this entire move for me. I'm so worried about my dogs going onto the plane! It's going to be great, though. We are finally at the finish line. I really hope this helps anyone that has questions about PCSing with your pets to Europe.

#PCSwithPets #PCSGermany #MilitaryMove #Marvel #Luna