Moving from the Mainland to Hawaii is an exciting life opportunity. If you are a pet owner, make sure you do your homework before you go. If quarantine laws are followed carefully, you and your pets will only be separated 5 days. If not, it could be 120 days. The longer the separation, the more anxiety for both you and your pet. The financial costs will also increase. A Veterinarian Oahu can give you exact specifics.
Before entering Honolulu, cats and dogs must receive two sets of rabies shots in their lifetime, 90 days before the trip. A rabies titer test (blood draw) must be done a minimum of 120 days prior to the trip. Your pet will also need to be micro-chipped, and it must be readable. Any deviation from either of these will cause Fido to be ineligible for the 5 day wait, and he will have to be in quarantine the full 120 days. Along with the rabies and micro-chipping requirements, a pet must be treated for fleas, ticks and other pests. Contact a qualified Veterinarian Oahu for the specific drugs and paperwork that are required.
The original paperwork, as essential as the shots and preventive care, must be mailed not faxed, photocopied or e-mailed in as pdf, to the Animal Quarantine Station at least 10 days prior to your arrival. Again, if the paperwork is not there on time, or you’ve not sent originals, the 120 day quarantine goes into effect. The Animal Quarantine Station is not open 24 hours a day. It would be wise to contact them in advance for current hours of operation. With that said, it would be a good idea to schedule your flight within that time frame also.
By working within the laws, you will save a lot of money, money that could be spent on hula lessons, coconut drinks and sunset beach tours. A 5 day stay in quarantine is about $225, but 120 days will cost you close to $1,100 dollars. That’s a lot of hula-moo-la. Getting there will be easier, and less expensive, if you follow the rules. Once you are on the island and Fido is released, contact The Honolulu Pet Clinic, if Fido is under the weather from the long trip.
