MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Station recently changed the policy on pets not being allowed in the mid-rise apartments.
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Order P11101.3M states that occupants may have two cats or other small four-legged, fur bearing animals in their home.
"The Station has made a great move to accommodate the needs of their service members here," said Sally Gilmore, housing manager.
According to the order, no dogs will be allowed.
"In most instances cats are usually smaller than dogs," said Gilmore. "Dogs seem to cause more problems with noise and sanitary issues not to mention that cats can be confined to the apartment."
The order also mentioned that citations be given out for nuisance animals. If three citations are handed out the animal will be taken away. Misbehaving behavior includes biting, excessive noise, damage to property, scattering trash, depositing feces on premises not assigned to owner and pets running loose.
Prior to someone obtaining a pet the person must be sure the proper health precautions are completed before that particular pet will be allowed on the Station.
All pets must be registered with the Base Veterinary Clinic, have all required vaccinations (including rabies), and micro chipping for identification, stated the order.
Micro chipping is done at the Veterinary Clinic and is a painless process. The chip will log the identification of the cat into a central database in order to find the pet in case of the event that the animal is lost or stolen.
All cats in the mid-rise apartments must be spayed/neutered prior to the pet being brought into the home, according to Staff Sgt. John Venturelli, veterinarian technician.
Certification of all health regulations must be brought to the Family Housing Welcome Center prior to the assignment of Military Family Housing.
"For many people it is very tough to leave a pet behind," said Gilmore. "With the change that has been implemented they won't have to."