There are no boarding facilities on the installation.
Check out the Ft. Meade Pet Care Center - the Center has 28 indoor/outdoor runs and 11 individual cat units. It provides 24-hour heat and air conditioning, automatic water fixtures and state-of-the-art aluminum bars, ensuring no entangled claws. The Center also has a veterinarian on-call 24 hours a day. For more information, call (301) 677-4059.
In addition, Anne Arundel County has a large number of boarding kennels. Please consult the yellow pages in the local phone directory for a complete listing.
Pets are allowed at the following temporary lodging facilities: Red Roof Inn @ BWI: (410) 850-7600 and the Comfort Inn @ BWI: (410) 789-9100.
Government Housing allows 1 pet per unit. The term "pet" refers to dogs and cats. No "exotic" pets or agressive dog breeds are permitted in government housing.
ANIMAL LICENSING: All dogs and cats, 4 mos. & older, must be vaccinated against rabies and must be licensed through Anne Arundel County. New residents moving into the County have thirty (30) days to license their dog or cat over the age of four (4) months. To obtain a license, send a certificate of rabies vaccination and a spay or neuter certificate (if applicable) with the necessary fees to AACO Animal Control. Certificates are obtained from your vet or SPCA Spay and Neuter clinics.
Upon receiving your orders, you should immediately request information and make arrangements for your pet's transportation - due to limited pet space on flights. Be aware that during the hotter months, pet air transportation may be limited. Passenger is responsible for complying with required shipping container, host country documentation, immunizations, border clearance requirements, and associated costs.
Arrangements are more complicated for service members transferring overseas, and plenty of time should be allowed for planning.
PET HEALTH - Nothing can waylay a trip with an animal faster than a health problem, and your pet's well-being should be of primary importance to you. Your pet will be subjected to conditions guaranteed to cause stress to your animal. A clean bill of health is an important first step in assuring your pet's ability to adjust safely to unfamiliar surroundings. In addition, most states and countries require recent health certificates and disease inoculation documentation before you will be allowed to cross borders, making a trip to the veterinarian mandatory. Even if you are traveling within your own state boundaries, it is a good idea to have your pet examined and inoculated. Your pet will be "out of his own back yard" and subject to contact with unknown animals. His chances of contracting disease or infection greatly increase. Have your pet examined by a licensed veterinarian, preferably one who has cared for the animal on a regular basis. Ask the doctor to prescribe a motion sickness pill or sedative as a preventive measure. Don't tranquilize your animal automatically. Sedated animals are more likely to develop problems. (Note: Motion sickness pills are preferable to tranquilizers.) NEVER give your pet tranquilizers without your vet's approval and NEVER give an animal any medication that has been prescribed for human use.
Avoid traveling with an animal during extreme weather. Exceptionally cold or hot weather can result in hyper- and hypothermia, heart failure, even death. During summer months, schedule travel for early morning or evening hours. IDENTIFICATION - A disaster in the making is a pet in transit without identification. Dogs break free from leases. Cats dash out of cages cracked open for just a second. The opportunities for pets being separated from their owners are numerous. Avoid the potential loss of a beloved pet by purchasing a comfortable collar (elastic for cats) for your pet bearing complete identification tags. The information should include your pet's name, your name, address and phone number. A license tag is also necessary and can be obtained from your local humane organization. (If your pet is a cat who has never worn a collar, allow time for the cat to become accustomed to wearing something around his neck.) As an additional safeguard, you may want to consider tattooing as a permanent form of identification. Your pet can have a number (your social security number, for example) tattooed on the inside of his ear or flank. Then, if your pet breaks free of both carrier and collar, he can still be positively identified.
CARRIERS-The carrier in which your pet will be spending most of his trip is of the utmost importance. In fact, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has very specific regulations for cages/crates used to transport animals interstate or internationally.
SIZE: Your pet must have room to turn freely while in a standing position and be able to use normal movements in order to stand erect or lie down in a natural position. Five typical sizes (approximate) are--12" wide x 20" deep and 15" high which is good for most cats and small breeds of dogs; 17" wide x 24" deep x 20" high, for medium-size dogs such as Poodles, Beagles, Pekingese, Dachshunds and large cats; 21" wide x 30" deep x 24", high, for slightly larger dogs such as Shelties, Bulldogs, Cocker and English Springer Spaniels; 23" wide x 35", deep x 26" high good for medium-large dogs such as Dobermans, Irish Setters, Golden and Labrador Retrievers, Dalmatians, Standard Poodles, Colliers, Boxers and German Shepherds; 26" wide x 42" deep x 30", high which can comfortably contain large dogs such as Weimaraners, Afghans, Malamutes and Old English Sheep Dogs.
For very large dogs such as Mastiffs, Great Danes, Newfoundlands, St. Bernards and Irish Wolfhounds, a crate will probably have to be specially made.
CONSTRUCTION: Crates should be constructed of metal, wood or heavy plastic of sufficient strength to withstand the rigorous handling it will receive while your animal is in transit. The carrier must have a solid bottom to prevent leakage. Line the bottom with shredded paper or other absorbent material. APHIS ventilation requirements state that two walls of a carrier are solid, 16 percent of the surface area of the solid walls must be used for ventilation. If three walls are solid and the fourth is screened, one of the solid walls must have at least hold of its surface ventilated. When all four sides are enclosed, at lease 8 percent of the surface area of each will be used for ventilation with at least one-third of the upper section and one-third of the lower section ventilated.
MISCELLANEOUS: A container for water should be secured to the inside of the carrier positioned so that it can be filled without opening the cage. (Recommend a drip bottle as opposed to an open bowl.) There is a limit to the number of animals permitted per carrier. No more than one adult dog or cat or no more than two puppies or kittens under six months of age or over 20 pounds are allowed in a carrier. (Some exceptions are permitted depending on size of the carrier.) Carriers must be clearly marked "LIVE ANIMALS and "THIS END UP" in letters at lease 1" high. You should also have both your and the animals identification and destination secured to the outside of the carrier. Include a familiar blanket and a favorite toy in the carrier. It will make your pet more comfortable and less frightened.
NOTE: Airlines are a good place to purchase carriers that meet all requirements, and they are generally cheaper than if purchased at a pet store.
HOUSING: If you and your pet plan to stay in a hotel, motel or inn, call in advance to check if pets are allowed and to make reservations. It is not a good idea to try and "sneak" a pet in or announce upon your arrival that the reason you need a double room is that your Great Dane is staying with you. You and your pet could be left without a place to stay. If you plan to board your pet at your destination point, reservations are also necessary, especially during the heavy travel periods of holidays and summers.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TRAVELING BY AIRPLANE - Air travel has become the most common way to transport animals. Unfortunately, it is also the most stressful and most fraught with potential hazards. Federal regulations provide some solutions to the problems of animals traveling by air but owner awareness is still the key factor in assuring the safe arrival of their pets. FEDERAL REGULATIONS - Dogs, cats and most other warmblooded animals are protected under the Animal Welfare Act, passed by Congress in 1966 and amended in 1976 to safeguard those same animals when they travel by air. The act is enforced primarily through the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Health Inspection Service. The act continues to be updated in an effort to further improve the conditions in which animals travel. Nonetheless, safe air transport of animals continues to cause problems for animals, their owners and the airlines. Because the wording of the act is ambiguous in places, much is left open to individual interpretation, resulting in inconsistent treatment of animal passengers from airline to airline, and sometimes from city to city within the same airline. To pet owners, this means great care must be taken when planning to fly with an animal.
In fact, the Animal Welfare Act clearly places much of the responsibility for animal safety on the owner. According to federal regulations, an airline cannot accept an animal from its owner unless the following qualifications are met: The animal must be 1) at least 8 weeks old; 2) certified as healthy within 10 days prior to departure; 3) secured in a carrier which meets the required standards;, and 4) adequately identified in the manner specified by APHIS. Because airlines can be fined for not adhering to these regulations, animals will be turned away at a ticket counter, so it is to your advantage to be conscientious in preparing for your pet's journey. Carrier and identification requirements are spelled out in the preceeding section. SAFE ENVIRONMENT-Animals are permitted in both the cabin and cargo sections of airplanes. Pet owners often prefer to have their companion pet in the cabin section with them, and this is possible, but only under the following circumstances: *Reservations must be made as early as possible with the airline. Regulations differ from airline to airline, but generally only one animal per flight is allowed in the cabin and permission is granted on a first come, first serve basis. *Animals traveling in the cabin are considered "carry-on luggage" by airlines, and as such must meet the same criteria as any baggage in that category. In other words, the pet carrier must fit under the seat. Obviously this restricts the carry-on option to very small animals. A fee is usually charged. *Be sensible where your pet's safety is concerned. It is better to have your pet in the cargo section of a plane in a carrier of the proper size than to try and "jam" a dog or cat into a too small carrier just so the animal can be in the cabin with you. In most cases, animals must fly in the cargo section of the plane where conditions can be hazardous for animals. The danger of air travel is not, however, in flying, but rather during "down time" when your pet is loaded, unloaded or waiting in an unsheltered area and exposed to the elements. While on the plane hazards are usually caused by the delays which result in time spent on the runway before take-off or after touchdown when the plane's compartments are not air pressurized. During that time your pet is confined in the cargo hold and deprived of fresh air, and temperatures can fluctuate from very hot to very cold in short periods of time. Pets who are tranquilized are especially susceptible to breathing problems, as are breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Pekingese who have short-faced heads. Because you cannot control the environment of the cargo section, extra care must be taken prior to boarding and after landing which will minimize the difficulties your pet may face while out of your stewardship.
HANDLING-The importance of purchasing the proper carrier cannot be stressed often enough. Sufficient ventilation and solid construction are absolute necessities. Most pet travel accidents are a result of poorly constructed carriers. Airline crews must load and unload planes as quickly as possible so that departures and arrivals are made on time. In that flurry of activity, animals traveling in the cargo section of the plane are sometimes not handled as carefully as they should be, but rather like luggage they travel with. There are some safeguards you can take to minimize improper handling of your pet. *Arrange for non-stop, direct flights. Animals can be (and have been) left off connecting flights or put on the wrong plane in the same way luggage is mishandled. In addition, every time a stop is made or a plane is changed, your pet's time on the ground and exposed to the elements or spent in a non-pressurized space increases. Note: If you are flying to a major city, but connecting to a smaller town by commuter line. it is important to know that although a major airline may be willing to transport animals, a commuter line may not. *Reconfirm that your pet is in the luggage area when you check in at the departure gate and ask the senior flight attendant to notify the captain that an animal is on board, either in the cargo or cabin. *If possible, have your pet hand carried to the plane when departing, and to the baggage area upon arrival. Many airports, unfortunately, are constructed in such a way that conveyer belts are the only method of transferring cargo from plane to building and vice versa. If this is the case, try to be in the baggage area when the luggage from your flight arrives so that you can retrieve your pet immediately. *If you must ship an animal alone (this should be done only when it is absolutely necessary), have someone you know and trust be at the destination point when the airplane arrives. It is important to remember that most airline crews receive no special training for handling animals and not all are pet owners themselves. They cannot be expected to know the needs of your pet or recognize signs of trouble. It is only through your careful attention to detail that your pet can be assured a safe trip. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TRAVELING BY CAR-In many ways, traveling with your pet by automobile is the most humane way to go. Although time spent in transit is greatly increased for long distances, the benefits of having your pet with you at all times cannot be overestimated. And, if you heed the following recommendations, both of you will arrive at your destination safely:
Unless your pet is already accustomed to being in an automobile, take the time to acclimate your pet to the motion and sounds of your car by taking short drives prior to leaving on a longer trip. (This precaution may eliminate the need to administer a motion sickness pill or tranquilizer.) Bring a pet carrier, and if the animal has never, or rarely, been in it, allow time for him to become familiar with it. This is especially important if your pet is undisciplined. An undisciplined animal is a menace in a car. Take along your pet's food and water bowls, blanket or bedding and a favorite toy to give him a touch of home. Your pet should never be permitted to ride in the front seat, jump around the car or hang out a window. This is dangerous for both the animal and driver. It is best not to feed an animal for several hours before leaving on a trip. Bring food and fresh water with you and stop regularly once the animal has had a chance to settle down.
If your traveling companion is a cat, bring a litter pan and litter with plastic bags for changing purposes. If a dog is traveling, it is imperative to stop frequently so that he can exercise and relieve himself. NEVER LEAVE YOUR PET ALONE IN A PARKED CAR. In summer, it takes only minutes for the heat to climb to more than 120 degrees, even in the shade. In winter, closed cars become refrigerators on wheels and the cold is as dangerous as summer heat. (In some states it is against the law to leave an animal alone in a car.) Check your pet frequently so that you can easily tell when he is hungry, thirsty, hot or tired.