Veterinary Command

For the dedicated men and women of our Armed Forces and their families in the Kentucky/Tennessee region, the pets that provide comfort and companionship are truly members of the family. The **Veterinary Command**, operating the Fort Campbell Veterinary Center (VETCEN), is the primary on-post resource dedicated to the health and wellness of these vital companions. Located directly on the Fort Campbell installation, the center’s primary mission is comprehensive care for all Government-Owned Animals, such as Military Working Dogs, but they also extend their expertise to provide a wide range of routine care for privately owned animals of the military community.

The VETCEN is staffed by skilled **Army Veterinary Corps** personnel, offering a high standard of **Veterinarian** and **Animal hospital** services. The clinic is an essential part of the military community’s health infrastructure, providing services at rates that are typically lower than those at civilian facilities. Crucially, access to these services is limited exclusively to authorized Department of Defense personnel, including **active duty, retired service members, reservists, and their dependents**, regardless of whether they live on or off post. This ensures that the veterinary needs of the entire Fort Campbell family are addressed with priority and professional commitment.

From essential **vaccinations** and wellness visits for new puppies and kittens to critical support for domestic and international travel through **health certificates**, the Veterinary Command plays a foundational role in the stability and readiness of military families. They operate on an appointment-only basis for privately owned animals, emphasizing the need for timely registration and check-ins to maintain an efficient, secure, and professional environment for all patients.

The Veterinary Command facility is located on the Fort Campbell military installation, placing it conveniently near the heart of the community it serves. Access to the facility requires valid military identification (CAC or USID card), as all patrons must be authorized personnel.

The official location is:

**650 Joel Dr, Fort Campbell, KY 42223, USA**

While the address on Joel Drive is associated with the larger Blanchfield Army Community Hospital (BACH) complex, the Veterinary Center's operations and specific clinic location should be confirmed by calling ahead, as military facility directories sometimes reference central administrative locations. Pet owners should be mindful of the following:

• **Appointments are recommended** for all privately owned animal services, and pet registration is mandatory prior to the first appointment.
• **Wheelchair accessible parking lot** is available, supporting accessibility for patrons.
• A clean **Restroom** is available for client use.
• All pets must be on a leash or in a carrier while inside the VETCEN.

It is vital for authorized users in the Kentucky area to be aware that the clinic's primary mission can cause appointments to be subject to cancellation or rescheduling due to the needs of government-owned animals. Additionally, the VETCEN does not provide after-hours or **emergency care**, emphasizing the importance for clients to establish a relationship with a trusted civilian veterinarian off-post for immediate and critical care needs outside of regular duty hours.

The Fort Campbell Veterinary Center focuses on providing essential routine and preventative care services for the eligible military community's pets, ensuring they comply with installation and travel regulations. Their scope of practice for privately owned animals is limited but highly important:

• **Preventative Veterinary Services:** This includes routine wellness screenings, **vaccinations** (including rabies, Distemper/Parvo, etc.), and de-worming to keep pets healthy and compliant with post regulations.
• **Mandatory Pet Registration:** All animals residing on Fort Campbell must be registered with the VETCEN, requiring current rabies vaccination proof.
• **Micro-chipping:** Providing micro-chip implantation, which is often a mandatory requirement for housing on-post and critical for pet safety.
• **Routine Diagnostic Services:** Offering **fecal exams for parasites** and other necessary **sick-call exams** and medical treatments within their scope.
• **Elective Surgical Procedures:** Providing limited elective surgeries, such as **spays and neuters**, and routine **dental cleanings**.
• **Health Certificates:** Crucial assistance with the preparation and endorsement of **health certificates** for both domestic and international travel, especially for military families undergoing a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) overseas.
• **Medication and Supplies:** Providing limited prescription refills and over-the-counter medications and preventatives.

The Veterinary Command offers distinct advantages that are specifically tailored to the unique needs of the Kentucky military community:

• **Exclusive Access and Lower Cost:** Services are provided to authorized military personnel at congressionally mandated rates, which are typically **lower** than civilian veterinary services, offering a significant financial benefit to service members and their families.
• **PCS and Travel Expertise:** The VETCEN is an indispensable resource for military families relocating globally, specializing in preparing the complex documentation, vaccinations, and tests (like the FAVN test for rabies immunity) required for **international pet travel**.
• **Military Working Dog (MWD) Care:** Patrons benefit indirectly from the high standard of care and expertise required to treat MWDs, as the primary mission elevates the entire staff's proficiency. The VETCEN staff is highly trained Army Veterinary Corps personnel.
• **Electronic Medical Records:** The facility uses a global electronic medical record system, allowing for seamless, worldwide transfer of a pet’s recent medical history to other DoD veterinary facilities, a major convenience for mobile military families.
• **Focused, Mission-Driven Care:** By prioritizing routine, preventative care, and required documentation, the VETCEN ensures the health and compliance of the on-post animal population, which is crucial for installation policy.

For eligible military personnel needing to register their pets or schedule an appointment for the necessary routine services in the Kentucky area, please use the following contact details.

• **Address:** 650 Joel Dr, Fort Campbell, KY 42223, USA (Note: Primary VETCEN operational phone number may be different from the central hospital number.)
• **Primary Appointment Phone:** (270) 798-4117 (Note: It is advisable to also confirm the VETCEN specific number of (270) 798-3614 or 4844 for appointments and services.)
• **Mobile Phone:** +1 270-798-4117
• **Eligibility Check:** All personnel must present a valid military ID.

For the military community in the Fort Campbell area of Kentucky, choosing the Veterinary Command is worth it primarily for the **unmatched expertise in military pet travel** and the substantial **cost savings** on routine care. No civilian practice can rival the institutional knowledge and support the VETCEN provides for preparing a pet for a PCS move—especially an overseas one. The process for **health certificates** and compliance with complex foreign entry requirements is simplified and streamlined by the VETCEN staff, which is an invaluable service to families facing relocation stress.

Furthermore, the ability to receive essential services like **vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, and micro-chipping** at reduced, government-regulated pricing provides real financial relief. While the scope of services is limited and does not include after-hours emergencies or hospitalization, the VETCEN successfully fulfills its core mission of providing consistent, high-quality preventative care and regulatory compliance support. This makes it an absolutely essential partner for every eligible military pet owner in the Kentucky/Tennessee border region, provided they also maintain a relationship with a local civilian veterinarian for emergency support.

Veterinary Command

650 Joel Dr, Fort Campbell, KY 42223, USA