Air Mobility Command has added a new health requirement for dogs traveling on its Patriot Express flights, tied to the ongoing spread of New World screwworm, a parasitic infestation that has prompted new USDA and CDC guidance for anyone moving a pet internationally.

For military families in the middle of a permanent change of station (PCS) with a dog in tow, it’s one more step to plan for.

At the same time, AMC has changed the rules for claiming a related financial benefit that many families still don’t realize exists.

The New World Screwworm Requirement

Dogs arriving from New World screwworm-affected countries, including dogs returning to the United States from those locations, now need a health certificate signed by an official government veterinarian in the country of departure.

That certificate has to confirm two things:

• That the dog was inspected for screwworm within five days of travel
• That the dog does not have a screwworm infestation.

Pets showing signs of infestation can be denied entry into the United States and sent back to their country of departure, at the owner’s expense.

AMC is advising anyone traveling to or from an affected country with a dog or cat to talk to their veterinarian ahead of time about screwworm risk factors, warning signs and whether the trip is necessary at all, along with scheduling exams both before and after travel. The requirement is in addition to, not a replacement for, existing CDC rabies entry requirements for dogs entering the U.S., which have been in effect since August 2024 and depend on where the dog has traveled in the prior six months.

Related: Space-A Travel Registration Just Changed: Here’s the New Process

What Else Changed Recently

Short-Nosed Breeds

Pet owners traveling with brachycephalic, or short-nosed, breeds must complete a Risk Acknowledgement Document covering the added risks those breeds face during air travel, print and sign it, and present it to the passenger service agent at check-in.

Service Animals

Service animal handlers face their own updated requirement: A signed Statement of Assurance has to be submitted to the departing terminal no later than 48 hours before departure, and passengers may travel with no more than two properly trained service dogs.

The Reimbursement Most Families Miss

Contained within the same policy update that created these requirements is a benefit that’s been available since January 2024 and remains underused: PCS-related pet travel expenses are now reimbursable through the standard PCS travel voucher process.

The entitlement covers one pet, dog or cat per household, up to $2,000 for an overseas move or $550 for a move within the United States. Families using an AMC Patriot Express flight should keep the memo receipt for pet travel fees issued at check-in, since that receipt is what supports the reimbursement claim. The benefit is detailed in the Joint Travel Regulations, Chapter 5, Part A, Paragraph 050107.

What AMC Pet Travel Costs Upfront

Space for pets on Patriot Express flights is limited and booked first-come, first-served through a family’s local Traffic Management Office or Installation Transportation Office, not directly through AMC. Reservations are capped at two pets per family, and fees are charged by combined pet-and-kennel weight:

• $125 for up to 70 pounds
• $250 for 71 to 140 pounds
• $375 for 141 to 150 pounds

Any pet heavier than 150 pounds is not accepted for shipment.

Those upfront costs are exactly what the PCS reimbursement is designed to offset.

Families should contact their Installation Transportation Office as early as possible in the PCS process, since pet space fills quickly and current fees, screwworm-affected country lists and documentation requirements can change. Full details are available on AMC’s Pet Travel Page.