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Military Families Face Insane Pet Shipping Issues, Costs

09/05/2018 By Meg Flanagan

“It’s going to cost how much?!”

Clearly, the high cost of shipping our dog, Winston, back to the States was written all over my face. My husband took one look at me and muttered, “I don’t even want to know.”

We’re at that proverbial rock and a hard place right now, as we stare down the barrel of an imminent 2019 PCS. Beyond just the stress of moving, we’re also looking at dropping thousands of dollars to ship a 17-pound mini schnauzer from Japan to the East Coast.

And we don’t really have a choice in the matter.

Moving overseas was decided for us. Bringing Winston with us was a given. He’s family, after all. Two years ago, the costs weren’t quite so high.

As of right now, all of the programs and rules we used to keep costs low have gone away or been totally revamped. Everything is going to cost at least double from our last PCS.

Military Families Face Insane Pet Shipping Costs and Issues

Let’s break down exactly what’s happening, resources for military families and what you can do to change the system.

Moving OCONUS

Moving overseas with pets is incredibly stressful. Just the quarantine process alone is daunting.

On top of months of vaccinations and isolation, military families are also looking at increasingly limited options for moving with their pets. Almost all of these come with skyrocketing costs and hoops to jump through.

Here are your shipping or flying choices:

Patriot Express: This is the cheapest and easiest option by far. It is also the most difficult to book.

With the Patriot Express, your pet would be flying with you on your military flight to your OCONUS destination. Rates vary based on weight and species but are significantly cheaper than commercial rates.

Getting a spot on the Patriot Express is not guaranteed.

Each service books these flights within different time windows based on projected departure dates. However, all pet spots for a given month are released at once and are booked first-come, first-served. There are typically three in-cabin spots and 10 cargo spots per flight.

This could mean that all spots on your flight are claimed before you are even allowed to book your human seats.

Commercial Cargo: Shipping your pet as cargo is pricier and limited by international shipping laws. Right now, United, American and Delta all offer some form of CONUS and OCONUS pet shipping programs.

Commercial cargo is usually for pets that will not be on the same flight as their owners.

Per new regulations, all three airlines now require that a professional registered pet shipping service serves as a middleman.

There are also regulations about temperature, breed and kennel size and weight.

Military Families Face Insane Pet Shipping Issues, Costs

Did you know that many pet shipping companies offer military discounts?

In-Cabin Pets: Most airlines allow animals to be transported as carry-on baggage. United, American and Delta all allow pets to be transported in the cabin to many destinations. This option is limited based on breed or species, size and weight.

But not all international destinations will allow in-cabin pet transport. For example, Japan requires that all pets be carried in the cargo area.

Checked Baggage: All three major carriers offer some form of checked baggage option for pets. American, United and Delta all have rules that limit the length of flights and destinations, as well as other regulations put in place for pet safety.

United does have some special rules that apply to military troops traveling on orders, but there are still limitations.

Pet Shipping Service: You can hand over control by using a professional pet shipping service. There are many companies that cater to military families moving CONUS and OCONUS.

Some pet shipping services specialize by destination or route(s), others are more general. These services are required for certain cargo or baggage categories. All services will offer different package options. They will charge a service fee beyond your pet’s airfare or airline cost.

Many military families opt to use a pet shipping service from the start to decrease stress.

Fly on Non-U.S. Flag Airlines: Some airlines from other nations offer pet shipping options with greater flexibility than U.S. airlines. If you are interested in flying with a non-US airline, it is best to individually research each airline to find one that meets your needs.

Costs will vary widely and may be more expensive than transportation via Patriot Express or U.S.-based airlines.

A Word About Guam

Currently, United Airlines is the only U.S. airline that serves Guam. There are some spots on the Patriot Express. United’s pet transport policy prohibits pet travel between Hawaii and Guam, but does accept pets going from/to other locations.

Some foreign airlines do serve Guam as well, but not all offer animal transportation services.

Timing Is Important

Space on the Patriot Express is extremely limited and should not be considered a “given” for any military family moving pets overseas.

If this is your only option financially and logistically, you need to act with intention as early as possible. Let your PCS coordinator know your pet transportation needs as soon as you can. Then, act quickly to expedite all necessary paperwork and clearances prior to your flight window opening.

Even acting quickly on your end doesn’t mean the military will feel the same sense of urgency. In this case, it’s best to stay in close contact with your PCS coordinator. If you missed out on a pet spot on your Patriot Express flight, call often to inquire about canceled reservations or request that your name is put on the waiting list for the next available pet spot.

If you are fairly certain that you either don’t want to gamble on a Patriot Express flight or won’t secure one, contracting with a private shipping company is typically your only option. It is now an across-the-board regulation that pets being shipped as cargo be handled by a member of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association.

These companies will work with your chosen airline to fly your pet to your next duty station.

Different companies offer different options. Some have all-inclusive packages that handle every step of the process from veterinary appointments to arriving at your new home. Others will handle flights only, with accompanied and unaccompanied options.

Many pet shipping companies offer military discounts.

However, due to the increased needs of the military community, spots might fill quickly for professional transportation services. If this seems to be your best or more reliable option, it is advised to contact one or more transport companies as soon as possible. Ask them about their packages, pricing and military discounts. You might also inquire about references and track record for animal safety.

Let Your Voice Be Heard

Over the last year, as changes to pet shipping policies on commercial airlines rolled out, there have been various grassroots campaigns in the military community.

Several appeals for experiences and concerns to be shared have been posted in USMC and mixed-services groups. A local Okinawa Facebook group has been a point of contact for many military families located there to voice concerns and share their opinions. Concerns about the pet shipping policy, the system for releasing Patriot Express pet spots and other issues have all been raised through senior spouse points of contact over the last 18 months.

Troops and families can also voice their opinions via the ICE system or contact the Inspector General for further guidance.

We Can’t Afford to Take Our Pet

It can be hard to come up with possibly thousands of dollars to ship your pet around the world. The SPCA International sees this increasing need in the military community and has got your six.

Operation Military Pets aims to provide military families with grants to help cover part or all of their pet shipping costs related to PCSing. There is an application process and not all applicants will be accepted. Award amounts vary based on need and documentation.

If you are simply not able to cover the cost or handle the logistics, it’s important to keep your pet’s safety and comfort in mind.

The best option might be to temporarily rehome your pet with a close friend or family member for the duration of your overseas tour. If this is the case, be sure to get a power of attorney for the length of your tour or otherwise write down the terms of your agreement. Set aside money to cover the costs of your pet’s regular expenses, like medical care or food costs.

Another option might be to use a fostering service, like Dogs on Deployment or PACT for Animals. These organizations can help military families find suitable foster homes for various lengths of time.

As a final option, you might consider rehoming your pet permanently. You can do this yourself through social media and online advertising. You could also use a rehoming service to find your animal’s new family. As a final option, you might consider doing an owner-surrender at a local no-kill animal shelter.

PCSing OCONUS with Your Pet

PCSing OCONUS with your pet is going to be costly and complicated. There is not really any way to avoid that reality.

If you anticipate a possible OCONUS move in the future, start saving and planning now. We are already setting aside money to ship Winston stateside next spring. It’s going to be expensive, but having my battle buddy with me will be worth every penny!

Are you impacted by the pet shipping restrictions from United Airlines? Share your story in the comments section.

DeCA Vows to Fix the Produce Prices at Pacific Commissaries

05/15/2018 By Michelle Volkmann

by Amanda Marksmeier, Guest Contributor

Many military families stationed in the Pacific are being asked to sacrifice a healthy diet because of limited access to high-quality reasonably priced produce.

One reason for the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables is the changes made in how produce is acquired by overseas commissaries. In response to mounting pressure to reduce the budget, the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) decided to discontinue U.S. shipments of fresh produce to Pacific commissaries.

DeCA was able to slash the budget by $48 million, but these savings are coming at the expense of our military and their families stationed in the Pacific. To provide produce at a reduced cost to the government, shipping costs were rolled into the prices and passed along to Pacific commissary customers.

A year after the contract changes were implemented complaints began to pour in regarding pricing and quality of produce. The DoD Inspector General investigated these claims. The IG discovered the new system was saving the government $38 million while costing military families in Japan and South Korea 21% to 32% more than the prior system. To make matters worse, the higher priced produce is lower in quality than the produce that is available in the local markets.

DeCA Vows to Fix the Produce Prices at Pacific Commissaries

Military families living overseas sacrifice time with their extended family and friends as well as the comforts of America. They shouldn’t have to sacrifice access to fresh quality produce too.

To address these issues DeCA Director Robert Bianchi designated a few target areas to make improvements. Some of the solutions include sending in produce specialists to work with local vendors to reduce costs and streamline inspections. Other ideas being considered are seeking more produce options including lesser quality and lower priced items and educating customers on commissary pricing.

These ideas are a good start, but more can be done to ensure our military families have access to quality reasonably priced produce.

Access to local vendors is a wonderful asset and should help alleviate some transportation costs, however, the idea of lower quality produce seems a bit absurd. Quality is a current complaint of consumers so how would a lower quality product improve the situation? Instead of “educating” consumers on commissary pricing versus local market pricing why not work with local farmers and vendors?

There is a huge movement in the United States to buy local, not only does this support the local economy but it’s environmentally friendly. The fewer miles our food travels will result in lower fuel costs, a reduction in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Sourcing locally grown produce could help with quality as well as lower shipping and transportation costs.

One concern that stems from purchasing produce from local growers is quality control and “safety concerns.” As the DeCA Director stated there is

“no earthly idea how that thing was produced.”

Foreign countries do not have the same federal regulations and health safety guidelines as the U.S., so this is a valid concern. But here is some food for thought:

Many military families living overseas purchase produce in the local markets because of lower prices regardless of lack of regulations so they are already being exposed to “unsafe” produce.

The life expectancy of people living in Pacific countries is higher than that of Americans.

There is significant evidence to suggest that the foods people eat are related to the longevity of their lives. While safety and quality control are a concern, DeCA should do the due diligence and at least consider the possibility of buying produce from local growers.

Produce issues in the Pacific commissaries have been identified and efforts are being made to fix the problems but more can be done to ensure quality at a reasonable cost. Military families living overseas sacrifice time with their extended family and friends as well as the comforts of America – they shouldn’t have to sacrifice access to fresh quality produce too.

Have you experienced the high price of produce at commissaries in the Pacific?

Amanda Marksmeier is an Army wife and mother of four. She works as an employment specialist assisting the military community in achieving their career goals. Amanda is also a contributing writer for a quarterly employment journal and has written for several military affiliated blogs.

DeCA Says Pacific Commissaries Will Return to Normal, But Not for Several Months

04/17/2015 By Rachel Tringali Marston

Are you stationed overseas? Have you been feeling a bit frustrated with the lack of grocery goods at your installation’s commissary?

Finally, military families stationed at OCONUS locations, particularly in the Pacific, will start seeing commissary shelves fill up again because of an agreement reached between the appropriate groups responsible for shipping goods for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA). The agreement made with the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union should be the start of getting the whole shipment process back on track.

Despite the resolution, DeCA has warned military families that it would take some time to smooth out delivery issues and allow overseas commissary inventories to return to 100 percent.

You should still experience some lag time, if you’re located in countries like Japan, South Korea, Guam and Hawaii.

How long exactly will the hold-up last? Hopefully, it will only take 3 to 4 months to get back to full inventory levels.

What caused the problem? The problem began when union disputes occurred with principal parties as well as computer mishaps that caused a breakdown in critical shipment deliveries. As a result, it caused major delays in supplying OCONUS commissaries.

Yikes!

Luckily, DeCA has been doing everything in their power since the delivery disruption, which was apparent starting December 2014 and continued into the New Year. Around that time, DeCA started using U.S Transportation Command to aid in shipping important groceries that would be difficult to find otherwise, including dairy products and certain meats. Those products are airlifted to the needed locations, which will continue until the inventory issues are straightened out.

According to a news release, DeCA Director and CEO Joseph H. Jeu said “we will continue to monitor and manage closely our supply situation in the Pacific and as always, our mission is to ensure our military and their families in the Pacific have access to full commissary benefit.”

So, if you’re OCONUS, be sure to stock up when you can and try and utilize the local grocery stores to the best of your ability. I realize that this situation is a challenge, but at least there is an end in sight now for military families.