We don't have hard orders yet, so I don't know when we are actually leaving.  All I know is that my hubby's PRD is August, and we are supposed to be going to Jacksonville.  We want to take some leave between leaving here and reporting to JAX to see some family and to get his motorcycle from his moms (he doesn't trust anyone else to move it lol).  I have several questions about PCSing with our cat.

1) Are all of the cat's travel expenses out of our pocket?  If not, what if we do take leave - we are both from the pacific northwest, so we would be getting another flight from there to Florida - does the navy still pay for the cat's flight from Seattle to Florida? Or would that be our responsibility?  I don't know if it would be possible for us to check into Jax and then take leave after getting a house and leaving the cat there with a petsitter. 

2) Since we leave in the summer, I assume we will have to take the cat in the cabin with us because of the temperatures - is this true?

3) What all do I need to have done for her to travel? 

I've never flown with any animals before, so I am completely lost here.  Any tips or advice would be great!!

Bump --because we'll be flying with a cat this year too.

But since you're flying from a rabies free country to probably the States the process should be very simple about getting the paperwork and "okay" to fly... probably as simple as an International Health Certificate for flight. The nightmare is flying the cat TO a rabies free country, ha ha.

But otherwise I'd like to know the answers too if anyone has the experience!

One of my friends who PSCd last summer with two cats just told me that the navy doesnt pay for them, but that isn't what I have heard from other people. HELP!?!?! I don't even know who to call about all of this, and since the vet never answers their freaking phone.... UGH.

I would be ok with someone just telling me what office to contact about this - the travel office? The command (another one that is sooo easy to get a hold of.... NOT)? This is really my first PCS, since the hubby took care of everything last time because we had barely been married 6 months at that point. So I'm pretty clueless about the whole process lol.

The Navy will not pay for an animal to fly~They are not on your page 2 and not a dependent. We flew from Sasebo one year ago and had to pay 5,000 yen for them to fly from Nagasaki to Narita....two cats...not bad but I dread the price when flying back to texas.

What I had heard was that while yes they are not dependents, if they are in your orders than the Navy pays. I am just confused about all of the conflicting information. Who do I contact to get a full answer?

That's the problem --I know people who have paid for their animals to fly, and I know people who have been compensated. If anyone has NOT had to pay for their animals how did that come about? And did they fly "cargo" or in the cabin with you? I'd ask the question but the people I've talked to in the past are long gone.

The only thing that the navy pays for in regards to the pet is the quarantine for it. You'll get your reimbursement for this one after the member reports to his ultimate command and file a travel claim. For flying them, it is on member's expense.

So I know this is an old post, but I wanted to give my input. My husband and I are leaving in July and were also concerned about taking our cats. As unfortunate as the earthquake was, I chose to leave during the VDAM for multiple reasons, one being able to take my kitties home.
During the summer months, most airlines have a pet embargo. If the temp is above (usually) 85 degrees at either the departure point or landing point, the airline may refuse to transport your pet as checked baggage. They may offer the option, depending on size, of having your pet with you on board the airplane. Depending on how the military decides to fly you out is also important. If they fly you out through Yokota, there isn't a fee. However, once you reach Seattle, the connecting airline will charge you and there again you run in to the embargo period.
As for cost, it cost me $350 to transport my two cats to Florida. However, I was able to claim it on my travel claim.
So, I hope that this was somewhat helpful and wish you the best of luck with your transfer.