Move One has recently completed the large-scale and highly technical transportation of 31 Military Working Dogs (MWDs) from Iraq to Houston, Texas. These extremely valuable animals had served in Iraq for a number of years and, having completed their service contracts, were being rotated back home. The entire move, weighing in at almost two tons of elite canine personnel, was completed in just three days without a single delay or unforeseen obstacle.

The 31 MWDs had been deployed in a variety of roles from providing security to the American Embassy to guarding front-line base camps, as well as invaluable work as IED (Improvised Explosive Device) sniffer dogs. Military Working Dogs are so highly valued that they are typically given a rank higher than their human handlers, in order to make mistreatment or disrespect a court-martial offense, and in terms of administration are treated the same as soldiers. They have a contract time-in-service and upon their return home, just like their human comrades, they will either retire or go on to a civilian sector role in police departments, private security firms or search-and-rescue teams.

To ensure the safety and comfort of the dogs, the transportation was completed in three separate stages.

1. On the first day, the animals were picked up from the Green Zone in Baghdad and driven to Erbil, using two air-conditioned vehicles.
   That night the team and the dogs rested in a compound with specially built temporary accommodation.
2. The second day involved an immediate flight to Dubai from Erbil
3. The third day they awaited their final trip back to the States. As no airline that flies Dubai to Houston was able to accept such an enormous number of dogs at once, they were divided into three waves, two of ten dogs and one of eleven, dispatched in stages over the next 34 hours.

Although these animals are more than familiar with extensive operations in hostile desert conditions, great care was taken with all of them, ensuring that they were always hydrated, comfortably sheltered and exercised as the need and opportunity arose. The operation overall involved a large number of Move One animal transportation experts, including four team members from the Iraq office and two more in Dubai, as well as four care takers and six handlers.

Commenting on this large and complex move, Curt Sharp, Move One’s Director of Pet Transportation Services, said that “Handling military dogs requires a highly advanced skill set and extensive experience; Move One has these capabilities, and is trusted with these valuable animals by CentCom and Allied forces throughout the Middle East. More than just technical ability, Move One has a deep appreciation for these animals, what they have been through and their eagerness to get back home.”

Move One is a close partner in several global working animal projects, and is a veteran of large scale MWD relocations. Move One’s Pet Transportation department specializes in the transportation of Working Dogs, household pets and exotic animals.

Should you require advice about internationally relocating your animal safely, sanely and legally or just further information about our general pet relocation services, please contact us at pet@moveoneinc.com. One of our dedicated animal relocation agents will get back to you shortly with information, advice and a quote tailor-made to your needs.

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