From Military.com:
“DoD Won't Reimburse Pet Travel in 2023, Cuts Maximum Benefit
by Half”
(Oso, a Yorkshire Terrier-Maltese mix, and his owner, await
the start of their appointment at the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Veterinary
Treatment Facility located on Clay Kaserne, Wiesbaden, Germany on 14 November
2018.)
The Defense Department's new policy for a pet PCS
reimbursement benefit created by Congress will slash the maximum benefit in
half for overseas trips -- and won't cover the costs of transporting any furry
friends until next year. Citing the "important role" of the
military's household pets, the department on Wednesday announced how it will
pay for some of their travel costs incurred during a permanent change of station
move. The reimbursement as it was passed by Congress in December allowed up to
$4,000 to transport a household pet on a PCS move to or from a duty station
outside the continental U.S.
In its new policy, however, the DoD has set the maximum
reimbursement for such OCONUS moves at $2,000 -- half the maximum allowed under
the law -- and families moving this PCS season won't be able to get it. And
while the law doesn't specify animal types -- only "a pet" -- the new
policy says the DoD will pay the costs of transporting only a cat or dog. Military
households PCSing within the continental U.S. will be able to receive the law's
maximum reimbursement of up to $550. Troops have typically paid out of pocket
to move their pets, aside from a $550 reimbursement for mandatory quarantining
of a cat or dog.
The COVID-19 pandemic made transporting pets more expensive
for families who needed to fly from one duty station to another, however, after
commercial airlines largely stopped transporting pets. The situation left some
families with few options, as pet shipping services could cost thousands of
dollars. Troops moving overseas can sometimes ship their pets with them as part
of a Patriot Express flight, but that option, too, costs in the hundreds of
dollars, depending on the pet's size. Plus, space for pets on those flights is
very limited, so families must plan ahead and may take only two pets per
flight.
Starting Jan. 1, the DoD will "cover pet travel
expenses, like pet shipping or quarantine fees," that households incur
during a PCS move, according to the announcement. Anticipating questions from
families, the Marine Corps published an administrative message dated June 9
letting its officials know that it likely wouldn't be reimbursing members
during this summer's moving season, citing "significant unbudgeted
costs."
As many as 227,000 service members a year could take
advantage of the new benefit.
"Historically, service members paid the majority of
their out-of-pocket expenses to transport pets when assigned to a new duty
station," according to the announcement. "This policy reduces that
financial burden while recognizing the important role a pet plays in a military
family's household."
^ There is no reason for either the delay in the start of this
Benefit or slashing the amount of the Benefit. ^
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