Pets

Having a pet on Okinawa comes with certain responsibilities.

Finding a Fuzzy Friend On Okinawa
Whether visitors to Okinawa are longing for a four-logged, feathered, or fishy friend of thoir very own or they just want to know where to go to pamper their pal, the island has pet stores aplenty. From the ubiquitous and comprehensive Makeman stores to more traditional pet shops such as Pet Box and the Okinawa Pet Feed (OFF) stores, just about any critter (as well as an astounding assortment of feeds and snacks, grooming items and services, toys, and more) are available—for a price. Local shelters and adoption agencies are filled with fuzzy and furry friends waiting for a family as well.

Okinawa has a terrible problem with pets that have been dumped on the streets by heartless owners. Please do net adopt a petit you are unable or unwilling to deal with the responsiblity and expense of cering for one. Do the right thing.

OAARS is a local organization that assists in placing pets up for adoption, helps with PCS information, rescues abandoned, homeless animals, aids local no-kill shelters, and educates the public on spaying/neutering, pet care, and the problems with abandonment. Anyone interested in volunteering can visit wwvv.oaars.com or send an email to oaars_cares@yahoo.com.

PCSing with Pets
Air Mobility Command (AMC) and most commercial airlines compute how much you pay in pet travel tees based on your pet’s weight plus the weight et its kennel. On AMC charter flights, if this totals 70 lbs or less, the tee is $90. If it’s more than 70 lbs. the fee is $180. Pets and containers 141—1 50 lbs are $270 and containers over 150 lbs are unauthorized. Commercial shipping tees vary depending on airline, the type of travel, the weight ot the animal, and the destination. During summer months, connecting commercial airlines may have heat embargoes on shipping pets. Once you receive your orders from Okinawa, contact your Traffic Management Office (IMO) right away. At that time TMO will need to knew you pet’s weight as well as the kennels weight and dimensions. AMC accepts pets on a first-come first-served basis.

Before your pet is allowed on an AMC charter mission flight, it must have current rabies and distemper vaccinations. Current means net more than ene year, but not less than 30 days betore your departure date, For more information, call the Kadena Air Base Veterinary Clinic at 634-1362 or AMC Pet Moving Policies, Kadena Air Base (632- 6487).

Keep in mind that during the winter or summer months, it may be too hot or too cold to transport your pet, and you may need to make arrangements to bring your pet back to the states earlier or later than your PCS date. Cal the vet for more information.