What a relief! Your next PCS move doesn’t require putting your pet on a plane.
Driving across the country, or even a few states away, with irreplaceable belongings, kids, and pets, may not sound like a good time. But for anxious pet owners, it definitely beats navigating airline cargo requirements.
Still, don’t get too comfortable plotting your road-trip route just yet. For many military families, pets are family members, and moving with pets requires almost as much planning as moving with children. The strategy depends on your pet's type, size, temperament, and travel experience. Following these steps for a cross-country move with pets can help streamline the process, reduce stress, and make your PCS road trip easier on your pet.
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1. Start Preparing Early
Choose a Restraint
Start with safety. Choosing the best restraint option is the first step for preparing your vehicle for pet travel.
Successful pet travel can take weeks or months of preparation, especially if your dog or cat is young or hasn’t traveled long distances in a car. Introducing crates, carriers, or seat belt restraints early can help reduce fear and anxiety before moving day.
Veterinarians often recommend crates as the top choice for traveling with pets. However, during a PCS move, space is usually limited. A crate that correctly fits a large breed dog like a Golden Retriever won’t fit into most four-door cars or SUVs. In that case, a pet seat belt attachment that securely snaps into existing seat belts is the next best option
Take Practice Trips
If your pet is new to car travel, build up their tolerance with short practice drives. Choose destinations they'll enjoy, such as a park, trail, or pet-friendly store. Reward them with a treat ready when they return home.
Try not to let their only car rides be trips to the vet’s office. Pets quickly learn those patterns, and the stress can start before you start the engine.
Make the Car Pet-Ready
You’ll probably have your vehicle serviced before PCSing. Don’t forget to check the features that also affect your pet’s comfort: adequate air conditioning or heat, ventilation, working windows, and seat belts.
On the day of departure, check the speaker volume and balance. Many speakers will sit at the same height as dog and cat ears. They’ll appreciate having the sound shifted to the front of the vehicle, where the humans can hear it better.
Can you be too prepared for pet travel? See 6 Resources for a Military Move with Pets.
2. Consider Train Travel as an Alternative
Amtrak’s standard routes and Auto Train option often surface in PCS research because the process is military family-friendly and they can be convenient for certain moves. Amtrak offers discounted fares for military personnel and allows some pets on certain routes in designated cars.
Train travel won’t work for every PCS route or every pet, but it may be a helpful alternative if you’re trying to avoid flying or a long solo drive.
3. Pack Travel Gear and Comfort Items
Your pet needs familiar items from home while you're on the road. Routine is helpful and offers security during an already stressful time.
Pack items such as:
- Food and treats
- Travel bowls
- Toys and bedding
- Bottled or stored water from home
- Daily and preventative medications
- Collars, leashes, and harnesses
If you have a pet, you’re probably going to have a mess, and maybe more than one. Keep your clean-up kit stocked and easy to reach.
4. Plan Carefully if You're Traveling Alone with a Pet
During military life, there’s a good change that either the service member or spouse may need to travel alone, probably because someone has to transport the pet!
Keep in Touch
Tracking apps make it easier than ever to keep your military family updated. But it's still a good idea to have your route mapped ahead of time and send updates when plans change, you take a detour, or you stop unexpectedly overnight.
Plan for Rest Stops
Solo travelers often struggle with the dilemma of what to do when they need to visit the bathroom or try to grab some food but can't leave a pet unattended. Locking an animal in a hot car is dangerous. But leaving the windows down for the time it takes to run in and order food can also increase risks, including escape or pet theft.
For single travelers, there isn’t one perfect solution. During very cold or very hot weather, some owners may briefly lock the door while the car is running and the air conditioning or heat is on, but this should be handled with extreme caution.
Another option is to plan stops at a pet-friendly store, such as PetSmart or Cabela's/Bass Pro Shops. They offer bathrooms (ask staff to hold a pet), snacks, and interesting smells and sights for animals!
Traditional rest stops are helpful for pet owners on the road. The USA Rest Stop app helps drivers find the nearest rest stop or service plaza along their chosen route.
Update Roadside Assistance and Emergency Plans
If there was ever a time to have an updated roadside assistance plan, it's when you're traveling alone with a pet. Roadside assistance can help with standard roadside services, such as tire changes, but could also rescue your pet if they accidentally lock you out with a front paw!
Pet owners often worry about who will care for their pet if an accident happens while they're alone. Keep an emergency note visible in your vehicle with the name and phone number of the person who should be contacted about your pet. This makes it easier for first responders to help.
5. Use Technology for Better Pet Travel
Load your phone with apps and websites that transform a long road trip into a bonding adventure with your pet.
- Bring Fido is a popular resource for locating pet-friendly hotels and attractions.
- Go Pet Friendly offers a road trip planner, travel tips, and pet-friendly resources.
- Rover connects travelers with on-the-road pet care (doggy day care, pet boarding).
- Pet trackers and GPS collars provide updated emails and texts when your dog leaves a designated safe place. Some have nationwide coverage in case of a runaway.
6. Stay in a Pet-Friendly Hotel
PCS dates change constantly. This makes scheduling hotel, MWR travel, and military lodging that accept pets difficult, especially during high-occupancy seasons like summer and holiday breaks. Update reservations if plans change to avoid cancellation fees or losing a pet-friendly room.
Once you arrive, try to recreate your pet’s usual sleeping arrangement at home as much as possible. Use their bedding and other comforting items for a better night’s rest.
Wondering where you can stay with pets during a PCS move? See Military Lodging for PCS and Vacation Travel for tips for securing MWR travel options and military lodging.
7. Follow Pet Etiquette on the Road
Pets get a bad rap because they act like animals! Responsible owners can help by keeping pets under control and cleaning after them while traveling.
Leash your pet, especially in unfamiliar places, because anxiety can prompt unusual behavior, even from pets who are normally calm. Always keep extra clean-up bags at the ready, and don't leave behind dogs or cats that cry, bark, scratch, or panic when left alone.
Final Pet Travel Tips Before Your PCS
As you prepare for military relocation, consider your pet’s personality. Every animal has quirks. For example, don’t leave animals alone who are prone to separation anxiety and invest in plenty of cleaning wipes for car-sick pets.
Military families are pros when it comes to PCSing, but every move brings new challenges. Browse our collection of PCS resources both on the blog and under our resources (see the dropdown list at the top of this page). You'll find more help with moving, planning, and finding your next pet-friendly home.
