Pet policy on Quantico changes to include microchips for all

Residents of Marine Corps Base Quantico will have to adhere to changes of Marine Corps Order 11000.22 Chapter 5, Change 6 regarding the ownership of pets. All pet owners must be in compliance by Oct. 10.
The rise in ownership of large dog breeds with a predisposition toward aggressive or dangerous behavior, coupled with the increased risk of tragic incidents involving these dogs, necessitates a uniform policy to provide for the health, safety and tranquility of all residents of family housing, according to the order.
The order prohibits pit bulls, rottweilers, canid/wolf hybrids or any canine breed with dominant traits of aggression.
Residents who currently own these breeds of dog are required to submit a written request, by the service member of the household, for a grandfather waiver to keep their pets.
“For dogs that need to be grandfathered, the service member needs to send in any information he can provide [regarding the pet],” said Oscar Almond, the branch head of Lincoln Military Housing. “The base commander has to approve [all waivers].“
That waiver must contain proof of all vaccinations, registration with the Provost Marshall’s Office, microchip implantation and results of a temperament test.
Prior waiver approval from previous duty stations will
expire upon vacating that station’s family housing units or at the end of the grandfather period of Sept. 30, 2012.
Those who do not already own prohibited dog breeds with a granted waiver may not, at any time, house or bring those pets aboard any Marine Corps installation..
Waiver approval will be terminated upon determination that the dog is found to be dangerous or vicious.
All pet cats and dogs, regardless of breed, must be registered with PMO, family housing and the Quantico Veterinary Treatment Facility.
All cats and dogs must have the microchip implantation, at the owner’s expense, and current vaccination records.
Owners must submit those records along with proof of all registrations to base housing prior to the pet’s entry into housing units.
Dogs and cats must wear a collar at all times with a valid, current rabies vaccination tag or pet registration tag attached.
Owners are responsible for controlling the behavior of their pets at all times. No pets will be allowed to roam free.
QVTF plans a microchip-only clinic Oct. 1. If pets need any other services. Pet owners must bring all current and up-to-date vaccine history for their pets.
The microchip can also be implanted during regularly scheduled clinic visits .
The clinic does not perform temperament tests for pets. Owners must seek another source as well as a source who can positively determine both breeds of mixed breed dogs.
To schedule your pet’s appointment for the next microchip-only clinic, call 703-784-2770. To contact family housing, call 703-784-2711. For information on vet clinics in the area, visit www.akc.org.