Pet & Living on Base

[courtneya]

How does having pets work with base housing? We currently have a dog and would love a little space for her to run, either our own yard or parks we could take her to. Any one with large dogs want to share a little bit? Also are there breeds and size restrictions on base?

[abuon18]

Each housing community has its own guidelines. There are usually breed restrictions, some communities have weight restrictions some don't. Are you interested in a particular duty station?

[Jenn_NicksWifey]

It depends on the base.  My DH is stationed in San Diego.  The "on base" housing is not actually on base, it's privatized through Lincoln Military Housing.  We have 2 german shepherds.  Lincoln has about 3 properties that allow us to have these two.  We asked to be put on the waiting list for those properties.  The first time, we got a housing offer in Murphy Canyon, Aero Ridge, and that place was very nice.  We're in the process of moving back to SD, since the kids and I moved home while DH was deployed.  So we're moving to Vista Ridge, also where dogs are allowed.  All of the "dog" properties have 5 foot fences with private backyards.  In Lincoln, there are breed restrictions, I only know for sure the restriction on Pit Bulls because our neighbors had one.  They were grandfathered in since they had her before the restriction was enacted.  Sweetest dog I think I've ever met! 

You can use the HEAT tool to get info on bases before you get hard orders, or if you know where you're going, look for the pet info on the corresponding website.  If you're going to San Diego, feel free to message me, I'm pretty familiar (now) with Lincoln Housings website and policies.  I have found that getting something in the community with a yard for BAH or under is very, very hard, so if you have a large dog and kids, mil housing is probably going to be your most economical route.  We have 2 kids so we need at least a 3 bedroom (one boy and one girl).  Three bedrooms in San Diego with a yard that allows dogs over 30lbs tend to run over $2K/month, and the place we're going, Vista Ridge, doesn't even take all of your BAH. 

Good luck! 

[courtneya]

Thanks for the thoughts ladies! Jenn, he doesn't have orders yet but I may send more questions your way if we end up in Sand Diego.

[Jess' Wife]

We are in Groton and Balfour Beatty is our management company and yes there are restrictions on numbers not sure on breeds I believe it is determined by the state and they follow those rules.... I would call ahead and ask wherever you are sent.... FYI "on base" is actually "off base" base housing.

[meagan5220]

Like the other ladies said it depends on the base. I heard some bases have more of apt type without yards, and some bases don't have fences already built but you can pay to have a fence built. I know like one AF base by me allows people to buy fences on their property but it has to be a specific one from a specific company (super pricey apparently) I know where I am, they wouldn't allow my pup she is part german shep part Doberman. I know some that have weight limits, some don't allow any dogs etc. It really sucks to not have set guidelines across the board.