AMC Pet Pamphlet 
Provides information to assist for the transportation of pets aboard AMC Patriot Express (PE) flights in conjunction with Permanent Change of Station (PCS).

(Current as of November 01, 2023)

AMC Pet - Risk Acknowledgement Document (RAD) 
Pet owner acknowledgement of the risks associated with air travel, especially for Brachycephalic (Short-Nosed) bread pets. (Print, Read & Sign RAD. Present to Passenger Service Agent during Check-in)

(Current as of December 13, 2022)

Pet Dogs and Extreme Heat Info

Information about your pets health and their exposure to extreme heat.

Statement of Assurance for Service Animals

Service Animals:  Statement of Assurance is required no later than 48 hours prior to aircraft departure.

U.S. Army Disclaimer

In accordance with Army policy, domestic animals on army installations, residents, employees, contractors, or visitors may not bring on any installation, any dog or a breed (including mixed breed) that is deemed aggressive/dangerous or potentially aggressive/dangerous.

Japan discourages the importation of dogs and cats under the age of 12 months. These pets rarely meet the vaccination and Fluorescent Antibody Viral Neutralization testing requirements. Pets under the age of 12 months can be imported but must start with a 180 day quarantine period.

All dogs and cats must first obtain a microchip prior to receiving any vaccinations and FAVN testing. The microchip number must be included on the rabies and health certificates and on the FAVN results form.

All dogs and cats arriving from a non-rabies free country or area must be vaccinated with an inactivated rabies vaccine at least 30 days and not more than 12 months prior to arriving and must show a history of 2 rabies vaccinations.

All dogs and cats must have a FAVN test performed. This test measures the protective antibody level against rabies.

All dogs and cats must have a health and rabies certificate issued by a military veterinarian. A USDA federal veterinarian (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/area_offices.htm) must certify with a raised seal all certificates issued by civilian veterinarians.

All dog and cat owners must give prior notification to the Japan Animal Quarantine Service as soon as commercial transportation is scheduled. http://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/animal/dog/index.html

All of the following documents must be attached to the outside of the airline kennel (ziploc bag works best). Label the bag: "Export/Import Pet Documents."

A pet processing checklist is available at the Japan District Veterinary Command website http://www.usarj.army.mil/organization/vet/index.htm. They also have all the required forms mentioned above posted online. This site is a great source of information for all your pet concerns in Japan.

1) Travel orders [Two copies of PCS orders for each pet].

2) Rabies Vaccination Certificate (DD Form 2208; two copies and original). 

3) Health Certificate (MDJ OP Form 2209; Veterinary Health Certificate for Import/Export for Japan; 2 copies and original), the health certificate cannot be older than 10 days. If there is a layover that will cause your health certificate to expire, then a new health certificate must be obtained. Health certificates must list last 2 rabies vaccinations including manufacturer, LOT #, and expiration date of vaccine. It must also include the Pet microchip number. If a civilian veterinarian issues the health certificate, the additional requirement of obtaining a raised USDA seal from the closest USDA office on both the health certificate and the rabies certificate is mandatory. A listing of offices is available on the JDVC website given in the contacts section below. 

4) MDJ OP Form 2209 (Japan Ministry of Agriculture Advance Notification Form). If the animal travels via commercial air, the pet owner must fax an advance notification form to the commercial port of entry. A notification approval will be returned by the GOJ Animal Quarantine Service. This approval is used when checking in with the airline when departing for Japan. The owner must also show this approval to GOJ authorities upon arrival in Japan. 

5) MDJ Form 270 (Pet Quarantine and Examination Certificate; two copies) All SOFA status personnel entering Japan with a pet are required to complete a MDJ 270. Be prepared to provide the following information.
     a) Military Address
     b) Organization
     c) Name of the military installation where the animal will be presented for the final physical examination or quarantine.
     d) The MDJ 270 allows your pet to be released to you for transportation to your US Military Quarantine Facility.
     e) Based on how many of the requirements you meet determines the time your animal must remain in quarantine ranging from 14 to 180 days. Currently, there is an in-home quarantine on Misawa Air Base since there is no Japan Quarantine Facility near Misawa. However, this requirement is currently being renegotiated and may change.
     f) Please download the form and fill it out before arrival. You are required to submit the form to your U.S. Military Veterinary Treatment Facility within 72 hours of entry into Japan. 

6) USFJ Form 380 EJ (Customs Free Import or Export of Cargo or Customs Declaration of Personal Property) needed only if shipping animal as cargo.

All incoming animals must enter Japan through officially designated ports in order to clear the Japanese Animal Quarantine service. The airport designated for CONUS and other countries is Narita International Airport. Japanese animal quarantine offices are closed from Saturday at noon until Monday at 8 a.m. Therefore, animals arriving after noon on Saturday must remain in the airline kennels. The cost in this action, plus the cost of transportation to the final destination, is the sole responsibility of the owner. Ideally, flights selected should arrive during normal working hours. Contact the animal quarantine office for more information at 011-0476- 32- 6664.

While traveling by air, the animal must be in a cage approved by the International Air Transportation Association and be large enough for the animal to stand up, turn around, and lie down with normal posture and body movements. Several layers of newspaper, shredded paper, or absorbent material should be placed in the bottom of the container. Do not use straw, hay, grass, sawdust, sand or soil. Pets must be individually caged. A familiar article or toy in the cage may placate the animal. Pets should be lightly fed and given water before turn-in for shipment. They should also be exercised before being brought to the terminal. Some animals with snub noses may experience respiratory difficulty in flight. Ensure containers have adequate ventilation and pets are free of respiratory problems. Travelers must also remember that U.S. flag commercial airlines and the Japan Air Lines will not accept pets when the temperature is above 85 degrees (effective from May 15 through Sep. 15). There are also restrictions for certain breeds once the temperature reaches 70 degrees. Please confirm policies with the carrier you fly with.

Booking an early morning or late evening flight could help avoid delays due to these restrictions.

Make sure you schedule you commercial flights carefully so that animal customs inspection can be preformed when you arrive. JAQS is closed between Saturday at noon and 0800 Monday. Animals arriving between these times must remain in the airline kennels until Monday. The cost of the stay and cost of transportation to the final destination is the responsibility of the owner. The cost is rather expensive, so one should select flights that arrive during normal work hours.

Pets must be caged in an approved carrier and are generally limited to 45 kg (99 lbs) with carrier.

Pet fees vary by airline but can range anywhere between $40-$250 per airline which is not reimbursable. Small animals that fit safely and comfortable in a hard sided carrier that fits under the seat can be carried in the cabin if prearranged.

If you fly commercial, you will also need to transfer airports in Tokyo which can take from 1 to 3 hours depending on traffic. You may be required to stay overnight in Tokyo. Most hotels do not allow pets but the Narita Radisson Hotel will. You can call them directly at 011-81-476-93-1234 or 1-800-333-3333 for worldwide reservations.

Travelers with small pets (in cages) can utilize the airport limousine service for transportation between airports. Prices range from 3,000 to 6,000 yen per pet.

Travelers with small pets may also travel via Japan Rail Line to Misawa. Travel arrangements can easily be made at Japan Rail counter in the basement of Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. Criteria for rail:

Size of cage (L + W + H): No more than 35"; Weight: Maximum 21 lbs with cage. Pets must always be in view of the owner. The cage must not be an obstacle in the path of any passengers. (Note: The cage must be kept at the passenger's seat, not between cars).

Asuka Koutsu will offer transportation by reservation only. Reservations are accepted up to 2 weeks in advance but must be made no later than 1 day prior to pick-up. Cost is 21,300 Yen (~$215) (in Sep 06). The phone number is 03-5737-8111 (from overseas, country code for Japan is 81-3-57537-8111).

Fixed Fare Taxi: Fixed Fare Taxi Service (FFTS) is a one-way only service from Narita to Haneda service. FFTS from Narita Airport are designated into zones in Tokyo. A taxi to Haneda Airport is in Zone C "Ota". FFTS taxi stands at Narita Airport are located at the following Terminals. Terminal 1: Station 15 and Terminal 2: Station 29, 30. The cost for transportation for fixed taxi service is approximately $190.00 or 22,000 yen (in Sep 06) and the member is responsible for highway tolls. This should cost approx. $21.00 or 2400 yen. The taxi service accepts multiple forms of payment, Visa, MasterCard or cash.

Also, van service is available for larger families. For more information regarding this service you can call +81 (0)476-34-8755 or visit http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/access/bus/index.html

Pet Hotel: Narita Airport has a "Pet Hotel" in the basement of Terminal 2. Travelers who must stay at a local hotel can leave their pet here overnight. Price depends on the size of the pet.

Monday - Friday 6:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

DSN 315-225-3818, 7720 or 9519

Van services from Narita to Haneda: This service is available through Yokota Air Base. Ask your sponsor to contact 374th Force Support Squadron vehicle operations at DSN 315-225-3818, 315-225-7720 or 315-225-9519 with your flight/pet information and arrange for a van to transport you and your pet from Narita to Haneda. The estimated price of $200 is based on a $25 per hour rate charge. This rate includes the driver however the time starts from Yokota (van location) ~Narita~Haneda and then back to Yokota, estimated time round trip 8 hours. Reservations should be made in advance to ensure van availability.

If your pet is coming with you, be sure your sponsor makes arrangements with lodging for you and your pet. Pets are not allowed in base lodging so you or your sponsor will need to make arrangements to board the pet(s) at the base kennel (226-2228), an off-base kennel (57-3423) or the Pets Are Worth Saving shelter on base (222-7002).

You may only have two pets in government housing. This does not include animals that permanently reside in cages or tanks (e.g., hamsters, turtles, etc.).

If you wish to have a pet other than a cat, dog, gerbil, hamster, guinea pig, white mouse, rabbit, fish, turtle, passerine bird (perching birds and song birds), or psittacine bird (parrots), you must submit a written request to the base veterinarian for consideration before acceptance to housing.

Pets outside quarters must be under hand-held leash control, inside a fenced yard, or on an in-ground anchor with the pet owner present and in control of the pet. If you have a dog that barks excessively causing neighborhood disturbance, you must immediately quiet the animal.

Pets are not allowed in public buildings, swimming pools, sports areas, tennis courts, parade grounds, playgrounds, ball fields, basketball courts, beaches, public gatherings, or the golf course unless approved by the base veterinarian.

You must immediately remove and properly dispose of waste deposits (feces) while walking your animal(s). Failure to do so may result in the removal of the animal from base and/or loss of housing privileges. All deposits or litter left in pens caused by your pet(s) must be removed and properly disposed of daily.

Pet owners must report lost, deceased, and/or new pets to the base Veterinary Treatment Facility within 24 hours.

Should your pet escape from your control, you should contact the Veterinary Clinic. If your animal is apprehended by security forces, civil engineering, or veterinary services you will be cited. If cited more than twice in a 12-month period, you may be required to remove the animal from base.

If you are transferring from Misawa and cannot or do not want to take your pet(s), you must find a new owner before moving or releasing custody of the animal(s). The pet's medical treatment record must be transferred into the name of the new owner while both parties are present at the veterinary treatment facility.

If a pet escapes before moving, the veterinary clinic must be notified and given a forwarding address, telephone number, and local person for point of contact. A special power of attorney must be granted to someone to provide for shipment of the pet upon capture. The owner is responsible for all shipping costs incurred by the person granted power of attorney. Failure to comply with the prevention of animal abandonment can result in administrative action against the sponsor.

The breeding of pets for profit is strictly prohibited in military family housing.