Are you dreaming of a Hawaiian vacation with your furry friend? Can Dogs Travel To Hawaii? Absolutely, but it requires careful planning and adherence to Hawaii’s strict quarantine regulations. SIXT.VN is here to guide you through every step, ensuring a smooth and stress-free trip for you and your canine companion. Let us help you navigate the pet travel landscape, from pre-travel preparations to arrival procedures, making your Hawaiian adventure a memorable one.
1. Why Does Hawaii Have a Quarantine for Dogs?
Hawaii is the only rabies-free state in the United States, and maintaining this status is crucial. The introduction of rabies would have devastating consequences for public health, Hawaii’s unique ecosystem, tourism, and local lifestyle. According to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, preventing rabies from entering the state is paramount to protecting both humans and animals.
Because Hawaii is rabies-free, resident pets aren’t required to be vaccinated against rabies. Establishing rabies in the state would necessitate costly animal and human health programs, impacting all citizens. The current law mandates that dogs, cats, and carnivores undergo either a 120-day or a 5 Day Or Less quarantine to prevent rabies. The law also stipulates that the quarantine program’s entire cost must be borne by its users, with no taxpayer funds allocated to its operation.
2. How Much Does It Cost to Quarantine My Pet in Hawaii?
The cost of quarantining your pet in Hawaii varies depending on the program you choose. The 120-day quarantine program costs $1,080 per pet, while the 5 Day Or Less quarantine program costs $244 per pet. The direct release program, if your pet qualifies, costs $185 per pet. According to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, these fees are necessary to maintain the self-sustaining nature of the quarantine program.
It’s important to note that there are no discounts for multiple pets, as the law requires the program to be entirely funded by quarantine users. While costs are subject to change, it’s advisable to check the latest fee schedule on the Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s website. Some military members may be eligible for reimbursement of up to $550 per family for quarantine expenses, so it’s worth checking with your command for availability.
3. What Are the Requirements for the 5 Day Or Less Quarantine Program?
To qualify for the 5 Day Or Less quarantine program, your dog must meet several pre-shipment requirements. These requirements ensure that your pet is adequately protected against rabies and can safely enter Hawaii. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture provides detailed information in their Rabies Quarantine Brochure.
The pre-shipment requirements include:
3.1. Rabies Vaccinations
Your pet must have received at least two rabies vaccines in its lifetime. According to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, the second vaccination must be administered no less than 30 days after the first. The most recent vaccination must be given no less than 30 days and no more than 12 months before arrival in Hawaii for 12-month licensed vaccines, or no less than 30 days and no more than 36 months before arrival for 3-year licensed vaccines.
3.2. Microchip Implantation
Your pet must be microchipped for identification purposes. The microchip is essential for matching your pet with its blood sample and ensuring accurate identification throughout the quarantine process, states the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
3.3. OIE-FAVN Blood Test
A blood sample must be sent to an approved laboratory for the OIE-Fluorescent Antibody Serum Neutralization Test (OIE-FAVN). This test measures your pet’s response to the rabies vaccine. According to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, a test result of >0.5 IU/ml is required to demonstrate adequate immunity.
3.4. Waiting Period
Your pet must complete a waiting period from the date the laboratory receives the blood sample before entering the state under the 5 Day Or Less quarantine program. This waiting period is currently 30 days, as specified by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
If these pre-arrival requirements are not met, your pet will not qualify for the 5 Day Or Less program and must complete a longer quarantine program.
4. What Happens If My Pet Arrives Before the Waiting Period Ends?
If your pet arrives in Hawaii before the required waiting period has elapsed, it won’t qualify for the shorter quarantine program. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture stipulates that your pet must remain in quarantine until completing the 120-day waiting period after passing an OIE-FAVN rabies serological test.
Additionally, your pet must remain in quarantine until at least 90 days have passed since the most recent rabies vaccination. In this situation, you’ll be charged $14.30 for each day in quarantine, plus a $244 fee. It’s crucial to plan your pet’s arrival carefully to avoid these additional costs and a longer quarantine period.
5. How Will I Know If My Pet Passed the OIE-FAVN Test?
The laboratories conducting the OIE-FAVN test send the results directly to the Animal Quarantine Station and your veterinarian. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture indicates that your veterinarian will typically receive the results before the quarantine station posts them on the department’s website.
The website will display the earliest date your pet can enter Hawaii and qualify for the 5 Day Or Less quarantine, based on the 30-day waiting period. The website is updated weekly, but during peak periods or staffing shortages, updates may take up to three or four weeks. If you’re eager to learn the results, you can ask your veterinarian’s office to contact you when they receive them.
6. Are There Any Exemptions to the Hawaii Dog Quarantine?
Yes, the law allows exemptions to quarantine confinement for specific categories of dogs, according to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. These exemptions include:
6.1. Guide and Service Dogs
Guide dogs for the blind and certified service dogs for the disabled are exempt from quarantine confinement. To qualify, guide and service dogs must meet pre-shipment requirements, including current rabies vaccination, passing an OIE-FAVN rabies blood test prior to arrival in Hawaii with a result > 0.5 IU/ml, and proper certification, as stated by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
6.2. Dogs from Rabies-Free Areas
Dogs and cats from New Zealand, Australia, Guam, and the British Isles may also be exempt. Importing a dog or cat from these specific rabies-free areas to Hawaii doesn’t require an import permit number. However, if the exporting country requires an import permit number before exporting a pet to Hawaii, contact the Animal Quarantine Station at (808) 483-7151 or email [email protected]
7. What Is the Procedure When My Pet Arrives in Honolulu?
Honolulu is the only port of entry for all animals entering Hawaii, so all animals must arrive there for inspection and quarantine. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture outlines the following procedure:
Dogs and cats arriving in Honolulu will be taken from the aircraft by airline personnel and delivered to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility. Pets are removed from their carriers, placed in indoor kennels, and provided with fresh water. Food may be provided at the owner’s request.
Pets arriving during the day are transferred to the main Animal Quarantine Station in Halawa Valley on one of two daily van runs. If your pet arrives after 3:00 p.m., it will spend the night at the airport facility and be transferred to the main Animal Quarantine Station the next morning.
8. Can I Visit My Pet After It Arrives at the Airport?
If you’re concerned about how your pet endured the flight, you can briefly visually inspect it at the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility. The office is located on the Ewa Service Road between the interisland terminal and the main terminal. According to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, this allows owners to check on their pets’ well-being after the journey.
You can also call the airport facility at (808) 837-8092 for an update on your pet. This can provide reassurance and peace of mind knowing that your pet is safe and comfortable.
9. I Am Transiting Through Hawaii With My Dog: What Do I Do?
Pets in transit through Hawaii must stay in quarantine for the duration of your stay. The airline will transport your pet from the airplane to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility, and then to the main Animal Quarantine Station in Halawa Valley. According to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, this ensures compliance with quarantine regulations.
Your pet will also need a health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian within 14 days before arriving in Honolulu. The cost per pet is currently $45 in administrative fees, plus $14.30 per day for food and kenneling.
You can pay the fees at the Airport office or at the main Quarantine Station. Be sure to provide the staff with your departure information at least 72 hours before departure so your pet can be transported back to the airport in time for your flight. Remind the airline to pick up your pet when you check in.
10. Is My Pet Allowed to Fly With Me in the Passenger Cabin?
The Department of Agriculture doesn’t regulate where pets fly within the aircraft. According to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, this is determined by each airline’s policy. The airline is legally obligated to transport all incoming animals directly from the plane to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility.
However, animals still under quarantine and being transferred from the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility to an approved outer island satellite quarantine facility or veterinary hospital are not allowed to fly in-cabin. If medical issues necessitate this, special arrangements must be made with the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility to have an inspector accompany the animal.
11. Can I Send My Pet Prior to My Arrival in Honolulu?
Yes, you don’t need to be present when your pet arrives. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture advises labeling your pet’s airline carrier with the full names of the owner and any co-owner, along with complete addresses and phone numbers for emergencies.
A Dog and Cat Import Form (AQS-279) should be sent ahead of your pet’s arrival so that the information is on file. Only the names on the Shipmaster’s Declaration form will be recognized as the legal owners of your pet for quarantine purposes.
12. If I Am Not in Hawaii, Can I Designate Someone Else to Look In On My Pet?
Yes, you can designate someone in Hawaii to be responsible for your pet by listing them as a co-owner on the Dog and Cat Import Form (AQS-279). The Hawaii Department of Agriculture states that this authorizes the person to visit the pet and act on the owner’s behalf.
Alternatively, you can send a notarized letter to the Animal Quarantine Station authorizing a person to visit your pet, including their ID number in the letter.
13. Where Is the Animal Quarantine Station?
The Animal Quarantine Station is located in Halawa Valley at 99-951 Halawa Valley Street. The phone number is (808) 483-7151, and the fax number is (808) 483-7161. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture provides this information for easy access.
For bus transportation information, call The Bus at 848-5555.
14. When Can I Visit My Pet While It Is in Quarantine?
Visiting hours at the quarantine station are:
- Tuesdays, Thursdays: 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Wednesdays: 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The station is closed for visitation on state holidays, Mondays, and Fridays, according to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
15. Can Anyone Visit My Pet in Quarantine?
No, only registered owners or designated co-owners, including designated handlers, are allowed to visit your pet. An AQS-issued visitor pass must be obtained, and a valid photo identification must be presented at each visit. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture enforces these rules to ensure the safety and security of the animals.
All visits are strictly in the kennel, and you cannot remove your pet from the kennel.
16. How Large Are the Kennels?
Kennel sizes vary depending on the size of the dog. According to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture:
- Kennels for small dogs are about 6 feet wide and 14 feet long.
- Kennels for large dogs are about 6 feet wide and 25 feet long.
- All kennels are seven feet high and have a run in front and a completely sheltered area in the back.
Cat kennels are about 5 feet wide and 10 feet long, including platforms, a sheltered area, and a catwalk. Each kennel contains a bench for visitor seating.
17. Can My Pets Be Housed Together in Hawaii Quarantine?
Pets are typically housed separately to allow staff to monitor each pet’s feeding and elimination habits. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture emphasizes the importance of individual monitoring for the well-being of the animals.
However, pets of the same species may be housed together if the owner accepts full responsibility for the daily feeding, cleaning, health monitoring, medicating, and grooming of their pets during quarantine. People agreeing to provide “Complete Care” must attend to their pet’s needs seven days a week.
18. Can My Pets Be Together During Visitation?
Owners can be authorized to move their pets to the same kennel during regular afternoon visits under the Multiple Pet Visitation (MPV) program. The owner must attend an MVP orientation session and submit the MPV Visitation Request Form to the veterinary staff for approval. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture specifies that pets must be of the same species to participate in the MPV program.
19. What Do I Have to Do for My Pet to Be Quarantined Under the 120-Day Program?
For the 120-day quarantine program, your pet needs a health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian within 14 days before arrival in Honolulu. According to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, your pet should also have a record of current rabies and standard vaccinations against common infectious diseases, be free of parasites, and treated for ticks and external parasites.
20. Can My Pet Be Quarantined on Kauai, Maui, or the Big Island?
Kauai is the only island with a satellite quarantine station. Owners must make prior arrangements with the Kauai Humane Society. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture advises contacting the Kauai Humane Society directly to coordinate the quarantine process.
There are no satellite facilities on Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai, or Lanai. However, approved animal hospitals on Hawaii Island (Kona), Maui, and Kauai can quarantine pets.
If your pet is being quarantined at a satellite kennel, it must first come to the Animal Quarantine Station on Oahu for identification and examination. Pets usually stay in Honolulu at least two days before being transferred. Owners must pay fees to the Animal Quarantine Station before the pet is transferred, and they are responsible for paying satellite facility fees.
21. My Pet Has a Medical Condition That Would Be Aggravated by Quarantine Confinement. What Options Are Available?
You can request that your pet be quarantined in an approved animal hospital. Owners are responsible for making arrangements with their preferred animal hospital. According to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, this option is available for pets with medical conditions that might be worsened by standard quarantine.
Similar to the satellite quarantine process, pets approved to complete quarantine in animal hospitals must first arrive in Honolulu to complete entry requirements and will typically be transported to the animal hospital about two days after applicable fees are paid.
22. My Pet Is Arriving From a Foreign Country, What Are the Requirements?
Only pets arriving from the British Isles, Australia, Guam, and New Zealand may qualify for exempt status. All other pets must qualify under one of the other programs or complete the 120-day program. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture provides checklists for pets arriving from these exempt locations.
23. I Live in Hawaii and Want to Take My Resident Pet Out of Hawaii for Vacation and Return. What Do I Do?
Owners wishing to leave Hawaii with their pets and return without extended quarantine must meet all requirements listed for resident dogs and cats originating from Hawaii and returning for the 5-day-or-less quarantine program. According to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, the major difference for resident pets is in the requirements for the second, most recent rabies vaccination and successful rabies blood test.
Additionally, pet owners must submit the original health certificate issued by their veterinarian before departure from Hawaii, containing the pet’s Hawaii address and departure date.
24. My pet will transit through Hawaii to a foreign country. What needs to be done?
The international movement of companion animals is regulated by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS), a federal agency. Information on import requirements for different countries is available at the website for the USDA-APHIS Import/Export Agency at the link below:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel
Contact information for the Hawaii Veterinary Services Endorsement Office:
USDA, APHIS, VS, FiOps, Port Services, Collateral Port Offices, Honolulu 3375 Koapaka Street, Ste. H420 Honolulu, HI 96819 Phone: 808‐838‐2854 Email: [email protected]
The Animal Quarantine Station is a state agency and does not have jurisdiction over international pet travel. For pets transiting through the Hawaii Animal Quarantine Station to a foreign destination, owners are required to use the services of a private veterinarian to meet the import requirements of the destination country.
The private veterinarian will work with you and your pet in meeting sampling, testing and treatments required for import into international destinations. In addition, private veterinarians will work with USDA-APHIS to arrange for endorsement of international certificates as required by the importing country. The Animal Quarantine Station does not provide this service.
25. What if I am planning to extend my stay in Honolulu?
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26. Can SIXT.VN help me find pet-friendly accommodations in Hanoi?
Absolutely! SIXT.VN can help you find pet-friendly hotels and accommodations in Hanoi and other parts of Vietnam.
27. How do I book airport transportation for me and my pet with SIXT.VN?
SIXT.VN offers convenient and reliable airport transfer services that can accommodate you and your pet. You can book in advance through our website or contact our customer support team for assistance.
28. Can SIXT.VN assist with booking pet-friendly tours and activities in Hanoi?
While not all tours and activities may be pet-friendly, SIXT.VN can help you find options that welcome pets or provide alternative arrangements for your pet’s care during your excursions.
29. Does SIXT.VN offer travel insurance that covers my pet’s quarantine expenses?
SIXT.VN can provide information on travel insurance options that may cover pet quarantine expenses or other travel-related issues for your pet.
30. Can SIXT.VN help me navigate the local pet regulations in Hanoi during my stay?
SIXT.VN can provide you with information on local pet regulations, including leash laws, vaccination requirements, and other guidelines to ensure a smooth and compliant stay in Hanoi.
31. What should I do if my flight gets delayed or canceled while traveling to Hanoi with my dog?
SIXT.VN offers 24/7 customer support to assist you with rebooking flights, arranging accommodations, and providing guidance on pet care in case of flight delays or cancellations.
32. Can SIXT.VN help me find a local veterinarian in Hanoi for my dog?
SIXT.VN can provide you with a list of trusted local veterinarians in Hanoi who can provide medical care for your dog during your stay.
Navigating Hawaii’s quarantine regulations for dogs can be complex, but SIXT.VN is here to simplify the process. We offer a range of services to ensure a seamless travel experience for you and your pet, including:
- Expert travel advice: Our knowledgeable team can guide you through the quarantine requirements and help you prepare your pet for the journey.
- Convenient airport transfers: We provide reliable airport transportation for you and your pet, ensuring a stress-free arrival and departure.
- Pet-friendly accommodation: We can assist you in finding pet-friendly hotels and accommodations in Hawaii and other destinations.
With SIXT.VN, you can focus on enjoying your Hawaiian vacation while we take care of the details. Contact us today to start planning your pet-friendly adventure!
Address: 260 Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
Hotline/Whatsapp: +84 986 244 358
Website: SIXT.VN
