NEW: DOD will reimburse pet expenses when military families move

Ggwain, a Dutch shepherd with the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Center at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, is seen at the Fort Hood Military Working Dog Kennel of the 89th Military Police Brigade in Fort Hood, Texas on Friday, Dec. 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Killeen Daily Herald, Bryan Correira)

Credit: Bryan Correira

Credit: Bryan Correira

Ggwain, a Dutch shepherd with the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Center at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, is seen at the Fort Hood Military Working Dog Kennel of the 89th Military Police Brigade in Fort Hood, Texas on Friday, Dec. 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Killeen Daily Herald, Bryan Correira)

Air Force and military families take heed: You may not need to find a new home for the family dog or cat before moving to that next assignment.

The Department of Defense Wednesday announced a new policy to cover pet travel expenses, like pet shipping or quarantine fees, incurred by service members when they move to a new assignment.

The policy covers pet expenses during a permanent change of station (PCS), the DOD said, and will be effective as of January 1, 2024.

Military members going through a PCS within the continental United States can be reimbursed up to $550 for one household pet, either cat or dog, and up to $2,000 for moves to or from a location outside the continental United States to cover costs related to the transportation of a pet, the department said.

The military estimates that this new allowance may be used by an some 227,000 service members.

“Historically, service members paid the majority of out-of-pocket expenses to transport pets when assigned to a new duty station,” the department said. “This policy reduces that financial burden while recognizing the important role a pet plays in a military family’s household.”

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