It is very common to adopt a pet while serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer. It can be stressful living and working in a foreign country for such an extended period of time. The comforting hum of a cat’s purr or the happy greeting of a dog can do wonders for your anxiety levels and can often add an incredible amount to your Peace Corps Service.
That being said, our parents were on to something when they told us that pets are a lot of responsibility.
First things first, pets care is not the same in every country. Animals around the world are commonly seen as utilitarian. A dog is an inexpensive security system and a cat keeps mice and spiders away from the house.
Before you commit to a pet, have a conversation with your counter-part and trusted community members. Identify potential risks for your pet and find someone that will watch over it while you are out of site.
Second, seriously consider what you will do with your pet once your service is up. Animals quickly become dependent on their guardians and may not fair so well if thrown back into a culture that does not value its companionship qualities.
Many Peace Corps Volunteers opt to leave their pet with the volunteer that follows-them-up in their site while others decide to take their fur-children home to the United States.
In this article, we’ll layout the process and provide references that will help you get your Peace Corps Pet back home safely.
At a glance:
Review the updated process per the CDC
Verify what health certificates are required for your pet and region
Review your State requirements
Get in touch with your Airline
Equipment needs
Average cost
Best advice
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
The CDC regulates the importation of many different types of animals. As long as you’re not trying to import a horse, fish, or small rodent, this CDC webpage is going to be your first step.
The website is surprisingly intuitive. Select what animal you are bringing into the United States and read the updated requirements.
Bringing a cat seems fairly simple. There isn’t a federal requirement to provide a health certificate, but the cat will be inspected by the port authority.
Dogs are a bit more work, but are unquestionably worth the effort.
Take special note of the Rabies Vaccine requirement by country, so that you are not caught off guard when you arrive in the U.S.
United States Department of Agriculture
The USDA mirrors much of what is found on the CDC website but offers a path to additional requirements placed by your home State.
Simply select the animal you are brining into the United States from the given list. Take note of any updated certificates that need to be accounted for based on the animal and geographic regions.
Next, scroll down a bit and select your home state. You will be re-directed to a requirements page outlining that State’s guidelines.
Airline Policies
Each Airline will have their own policy and price tag for flying your pet home. A lot of times these policies are dependent on the size of the pet, given the amount of cargo space that is needed. Below is a list of the major airlines policy pages.
Equipment
Pet carriers are required to be big enough to allow room for your pet to stand up without needing to duck or crouch. They also need to be able to turn around completely while inside the crate.
It is recommended that you measure the height and length of your pet, and find a carrier that matches these measurements while leaving some wiggle room.
Depending on the duration of the flight home, some airlines require that you also include a food and water bowl to be stored inside the crate. This is generally used during unforeseen flight delays or long layovers.
Below are industry standard items that you can use as a reference when looking for reliable equipment in your host country.
Cost
Seeing as each pet and flight will be different, it’s tough to give an exact number. If you’re bringing home a smaller pet, you could be looking at only a few hundred dollars.
A large dog could run you nearly $1,000.
Your readjustment allowance should help you with this cost, but it is important to budget ahead of time.
Best advice
Reach out to current and former Volunteers that are serving or have served in your host country; chances are others have committed to flying their companions home as well. Volunteers who have gone through the process will be a great resource for you.
Congratulations on making it through this article and preparing yourself for your Peace Corps experience. You can find more information about Preparing for the Peace Corps, Peace Corps Discounts, and Concerned Parents in our other articles.
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