Bringing Your Dog or Cat to Guam on PCS Orders
Guam is rabies-free, and every dog and cat that arrives from the mainland goes to a commercial quarantine facility first. How long your pet stays there depends on how early you start. A pet with a passing rabies blood test whose sample reached the lab at least 120 days before arrival usually stays just one night. A pet with no test can be held for 120 days.
This guide explains Guam’s four quarantine programs, the steps and deadlines for each, what the military reimburses, and the special rules for families moving from Japan or Hawaii. Across The Pond Pets helps military families move pets to Guam from our Seattle and Los Angeles teams and through our partner network nationwide.
Every pet needs an entry permit — no exceptions. Bringing a dog or cat to Guam without a valid entry permit can lead to a 120-day quarantine or return to origin at your expense, a fine for the shipper, and penalties for the owner. Start as soon as Guam is on the table: the 120-day countdown starts only when the lab receives your pet’s blood sample.
Guam’s Four Quarantine Programs
Guam law requires a 120-day quarantine for dogs and cats, but pets that meet the requirements before arrival can serve most or all of it before they land. The day the laboratory receives your pet’s FAVN blood sample is day one of the 120 days.
| Program | Who qualifies | Time in commercial quarantine |
|---|---|---|
| Calculated quarantine | All requirements met, FAVN 0.5 IU/mL or higher | Only the days left to reach 120 days from when the lab received the sample — usually one night if you arrive after day 120 |
| 5 days or less + home quarantine | Pets from the U.S. mainland (120+ days) or U.S. military installations, all requirements met, FAVN 1.0 IU/mL or higher | Up to 5 days, then home quarantine for the rest of the 120 days |
| Exempt | Pets coming directly from Japan, Hawaii, the British Isles, Australia, or New Zealand after living there 120+ days | None; a Guam vet exam within 72 hours of arrival |
| Full 120-day quarantine | Pets that don’t complete the FAVN test or other requirements | 120 days at the owner’s expense |
Home quarantine is strictly enforced: your pet must stay isolated at home until day 120. If your pet arrives after day 120 with a passing result, home quarantine doesn’t come into play.
Guam Pet Import Requirements, Step by Step
Guam’s Department of Agriculture runs the Animal Quarantine Program. These steps are for dogs and cats coming from the mainland U.S. to qualify for the shortest possible quarantine. Order matters, and one rule is easy to miss: no rabies vaccination after the FAVN blood draw.
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First, before the blood test
Microchip
Your pet needs a microchip before the blood sample is drawn, and the chip number must be on the lab result. Guam’s rules call for a chip readable by a universal scanner, such as AVID or HomeAgain — confirm your pet’s chip with us early.
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About 5–6 months before arrival
Two rabies vaccinations, at least 30 days apart
Your pet needs at least two rabies vaccinations in its lifetime, given at least 30 days apart, with certificates showing the manufacturer, lot number, and expiration. The most recent one must still be current — within one year, or three years for an approved three-year vaccine. Most adult pets already have two on record.
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10+ days after the last vaccination
Rabies antibody (FAVN) blood test
Your vet draws blood and sends it to an approved laboratory — Kansas State University, an EU-approved lab, or the DoD Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory for military families. The result must be at least 0.5 IU/mL (1.0 for home quarantine), the test must be within 12 months of arrival, and the lab must send results directly to Guam. Don’t vaccinate for rabies again after the blood is drawn, or the test won’t count.
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2–3 months before arrival
Entry permit application and quarantine reservation
Email the rabies certificates and vaccination records to Guam’s Department of Agriculture and apply for an entry permit ($60 per pet, plus a $5 yearly pet license), paid by money order or cashier’s check to the Treasurer of Guam. Reserve a space at an approved quarantine facility — military families can use the Andersen Animal Quarantine & Kennel Facility.
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At least 10 days before departure
Other vaccinations
Dogs need current distemper, hepatitis (adenovirus-2), leptospirosis, parainfluenza, parvovirus, and Bordetella vaccines. Cats need current panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus vaccines. Each must be given at least 10 days before departure.
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Within 10 days before arrival
Health certificate and parasite treatment
An accredited vet examines your pet, treats it for internal and external parasites within 14 days of arrival, and issues a health certificate in English. It must list the parasite products used, heartworm status, rabies vaccine details, the microchip, and a breed — “mixed” isn’t accepted. Send a copy to Guam, which then emails the entry permit to attach to the crate.
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Arrival day
Post-arrival exam at the quarantine facility
Your quarantine facility picks your pet up at the airport, and the quarantine veterinarian checks the microchip and examines your pet. Once Agriculture approves the release, you collect your pet and its Guam pet license.
What happens if something is missed. Pets with incorrect or incomplete documents are held in commercial quarantine at the owner’s expense until the paperwork is fixed. If a pet can’t meet the requirements for a shorter program, the full 120-day quarantine applies. Any change to your pet’s flight must be cleared with Guam’s Department of Agriculture and your quarantine facility.
Your PCS Countdown
Work backward from your pet’s arrival date. If your orders don’t leave this much time, your pet can still arrive — see the FAQ for short-notice options.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| As soon as Guam is likely | Gather rabies records, check the microchip, and call us to map your dates |
| 5–6 months before | Any rabies vaccination your pet still needs, then the FAVN blood draw 10+ days later |
| 120+ days before arrival | Lab has received the sample — day one of the 120-day countdown |
| 2–3 months before | Entry permit application and quarantine facility reservation |
| 1–2 months before | Book your pet’s flight and send the itinerary to Guam |
| At least 10 days before | Other required vaccinations current |
| Within 10 days before | Health certificate and parasite treatment; send a copy to Guam for the entry permit |
| Travel day | Original certificates and entry permit attached to the crate |
Guam is hot and humid year-round, and summer heat embargoes can limit cargo flights. Guam’s Department of Agriculture advises against moving very old, very young, or chronically ill pets, and pets more than 45 days pregnant can’t enter quarantine.
Flights, Reimbursement, and Getting Your Pet There
Commercial flights
Most PCS families and their pets reach Guam on commercial flights, usually on United through Honolulu or Asia. United requires pets flying to Guam to be booked through a professional pet shipper.
A layover of more than four hours in Guam requires quarantine, and pets connecting through Guam need a free transit permit.
Up to $2,000
For PCS orders effective on or after January 1, 2024, the Joint Travel Regulations reimburse qualifying costs for one household pet (a dog or cat) on an OCONUS move, which includes Guam — such as microchipping, titer testing, quarantine fees, boarding, and transport.
Keep every itemized receipt. Confirm eligibility and documentation with your finance office.
Our team
We check your pet’s records against Guam’s checklist, coordinate the entry permit and quarantine reservation, and book your pet’s flight from the West Coast.
Our Seattle and Los Angeles teams and partner network serve military families nationwide.
Planning to use the Andersen facility? The Andersen Animal Quarantine & Kennel Facility serves military families only. Not every pet transporter works with it, so confirm your shipper can deliver there before you book. Moving more than one pet? The JTR allowance covers one pet per PCS order; your branch’s relief society may help with the rest.
Moving to Guam from Japan or Hawaii
Many families reach Guam from Okinawa, mainland Japan, or Hawaii — especially with Marine Corps units relocating to Camp Blaz. Guam treats Japan and Hawaii as rabies-free, so a pet that has lived there for at least 120 days and flies directly to Guam can be exempt from commercial quarantine.
You’ll still need an entry permit, current vaccinations, a health certificate, and an affidavit or certificate of origin from a government or U.S. Army veterinarian confirming your pet hasn’t left the area in the four months before shipment. Contact Guam Customs and Quarantine to schedule clearance, then have a Guam vet examine your pet within 72 hours of arrival.
Other Things to Plan For
Puppies and kittensFrom the mainland, a young pet must be at least five months old to use the calculated or home quarantine, and Guam won’t issue a permit for a pet under five months facing 120 days. From Japan or Hawaii, pets can enter as young as nine weeks.
Heat and flat-faced breedsBulldogs, Pugs, Frenchies, Persians, and similar breeds face airline restrictions and struggle in Guam’s year-round heat and humidity. Talk to your vet about whether the move is right for your pet.
Pets other than dogs and catsEvery live animal needs an entry permit, and animals such as ferrets, skunks, and raccoons are generally prohibited. Service and emotional support animals follow the same rules.
Housing pet rulesMilitary housing on Guam commonly limits the number of pets and may restrict certain breeds. Check your new installation’s housing policy before you move.
U.S. Military Installations on Guam We Support
All pets arrive at Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport, where the quarantine facility collects them. Every installation falls under Joint Region Marianas.
| Installation | Branch | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Andersen Air Force Base | Air Force | Yigo, northern Guam |
| Naval Base Guam | Navy | Apra Harbor and Santa Rita |
| Marine Corps Camp Blaz | Marine Corps | Dededo, northern Guam |
| U.S. Naval Hospital Guam | Navy | Agana Heights |
| Coast Guard Sector Guam | Coast Guard | Apra Harbor |
Leaving Guam: Your Pet’s Next Move
Moving back to the mainland is simpler: you need what your airline and destination state require. Heading to Japan next? Japan treats Guam as a rabies-free region, so a pet that has lived on Guam long enough may skip Japan’s 180-day wait. We handle moves from Guam too — see our PCS to Japan guide.
PCS to Guam with Pets: FAQs
Will my pet have to go into quarantine on Guam?
Pets from the mainland always go to a commercial quarantine facility first. If the FAVN sample reached the lab at least 120 days before arrival and every requirement is met, the stay is usually one night for the post-arrival exam. Pets with no FAVN test serve 120 days.
How long does it take to prepare a pet for Guam?
About five to six months for the shortest stay: two rabies vaccinations, the FAVN test, and 120 days from when the lab receives the sample. A pet with two vaccinations already on record can start with the blood test.
My orders came too fast. What are my options?
Get the FAVN blood draw done right away. With a result of 1.0 IU/mL or higher, your pet can do up to five days in commercial quarantine and the rest at home. With 0.5–0.99, your pet stays in commercial quarantine until day 120. Pets can also complete testing while in quarantine to shorten the stay, or stay with family on the mainland and follow later.
Does the 120-day countdown start from the blood draw?
No. It starts on the day the laboratory receives the FAVN blood sample. The test must also be done no more than 12 months before your pet arrives on Guam.
Will the military reimburse my pet’s move to Guam?
For PCS orders effective on or after January 1, 2024, the JTR reimburses qualifying expenses for one dog or cat up to $2,000 on an OCONUS move, including Guam. Covered costs can include testing, quarantine, and transport. Confirm your eligibility with your finance office.
We’re moving from Okinawa to Guam. Does my pet need quarantine?
Usually not. Guam treats Japan, including Okinawa, as rabies-free. If your pet has lived there at least 120 days and flies directly to Guam with an entry permit, health certificate, and certificate of origin, it can be exempt from commercial quarantine.
Can military families use the Andersen quarantine facility?
Yes. The Andersen Animal Quarantine & Kennel Facility is an approved quarantine facility for military personnel and their families. Reserve space early and include the confirmation with your entry permit packet.
Got Orders to Guam? Let’s Map Your Pet’s Dates
Send us your report date and your pet’s records. We’ll tell you which quarantine program your pet can qualify for and handle every step from there.
