Bringing a Pet to Hawaii: Part 1

There is so many testimonies available in regards to bringing a pet to Hawaii, but the best resource to start at is found at http://hdoa.hawaii.gov .  Click on "animal quarantine" from the tabs on the top of the website to specifically find information.  The reason there is such specifics on bringing an animal to the Hawaiian islands is because Hawaii is a rabies-free state.  According to the Hawaiian Department of Agriculture, "Hawaii’s quarantine law is designed to protect residents and pets from potentially serious health problems associated with the introduction and spread of rabies. All dogs and cats, regardless of age (puppies and kittens included) or purpose, must comply with Hawaii’s dog and cat import requirements."  There is so much information, and I recommend reading all of what they make available so that there is no mistake made while traveling or moving with your animal.  At this point we are going through the slow, yet necessary 120-day quarantine process so I will be here to share with you if we hit any bumps along the way.  At this point, let me sum up some of the research we have found to follow on this quarantine process:

• Allow for extra time, even though the waiting period is 120 days. The waiting period starts after all the shots and blood work is done and received by Kentucky State University (KSU).
• Dogs and cats will need original records of vaccinations signed by a veterinarian
• FAVN titer test blood work is sent to the lab at KSU to be checked, and the are then sent to Hawaii, paired up with the animals microchip number .  At that point you can find out online when the first day your pet is allowed into the state.
• No more than 14 days before the pets arrive in Hawaii a veterinarian must apply a certain flea/tick preparation to the animals, and no more than 10 days before the vets must prepare a health certificate. Note that these are for the dates you are actually traveling.
• Pets must arrive by 3:30 pm in order for them to be released directly, otherwise they are transferred to the quarantine site and held up to 5 days (for the “five days or less” option, which costs $225).

So since our dog is already vaccinated for her rabies booster and already has her 9-digit AVID microchip, we have made an appointment to see our veterinarian for her FAVN test for mid-April.  Wish us luck bringing our adorable and energetic Schnoodle (miniature schnauzer, miniature poodle mix breed) over to Hawaii with us! (fingers-crossed that we still go and make this dream a reality!) This is officially the start of Doodle's Hawaiian life adventure!!