Getting our dog ready for Hawaii!

This little fluff ball is coming with us to Hawaii of course and it turns out that moving our dog to Hawaii entails getting some important things done. 

Hawaii is a rabies-free state, so your pet must have two rabies shots 30 days apart and the last rabies must be completed more than 90 days prior to arrival.

If a pet cannot be identified by scanning their microchip, it will undergo the full 120-day quarantine. Any animal coming to Hawaii must have an OIE-Favn rabies blood test. This test cannot be more than three years old, but must have been drawn at least 120 days prior to arrival in Hawaii.

So with that in place, we started talking to our Vet about preparing Dandy for our move to Hawaii. They are very familiar with the process and have done all this for others. If you have a pet you are bringing to Hawaii I would recommend speaking directly with your vet to ensure you don't miss anything important. 

If any of the requirements aren't met, pets can end up in quarantine for up to 120 days. So to avoid all that make sure you have everything covered correctly. 

We had to make sure that she got her rabies shots, and then after completing the required amount, we had to ship of her bloodwork to get tested. We just heard back from them and her bloodwork looks great which means exactly 4 months from the date of her bloodwork getting tested she will be allowed into Hawaii. Since we are leaving for Hawaii in possible two months she will be enjoying some staycation with some of our family until she is ready. We would much rather have her with family, than stuck in quarantine!

to get more information on what's required head over to the pet relocation page HERE! 

Requirements for 5-Day-or-Less Program (and Direct Release)

All of the following steps must be completed in order for your pet to qualify for the 5-Day-or-Less program.  If your pet does not meet any of these requirements, then it will have to undergo quarantine for up to 120 days.

Due to the minimum amount of time needed to prepare a puppy or kitten to meet the requirements of the 5-Day-or-Less program, a puppy or kitten will be about 10 months of age by the time all preparations are completed.  Puppies and kittens not able to meet all of the requirements for the 5-Day-or-Less program will be quarantined for 120 days.

1. Rabies Vaccinations:

•  Pet has been vaccinated at least twice for rabies in its lifetime.
• These rabies vaccines were administered more than 90 days apart.
• The most recent rabies vaccination was done no more than 12 months prior to it’s date of arrival in Hawaii for a 1-year rabies vaccine, or no  more than 36 months prior to it’s date of arrival for a 3-year rabies vaccine.
• The most recent rabies vaccination was done no less than 90 days before pet’s date of arrival in Hawaii.
• The date and type of vaccine must be indicated on the pet’s vaccination and health certificate.

2.  Microchip:

• Pet has an electronic microchip implanted (required before an OIE-FAVN rabies blood test is performed).
• The microchip has been scanned by your veterinarian to verify that it is working and that the microchip number is correct.
• If pet cannot be identified by scanning the microchip, it will not qualify for either direct airport release or the 5-Day-or-Less program and will undergo the 120 day quarantine.

3.  OIE-FAVN Rabies Blood Test

• Blood sample must be sent to Kansas State University (KSU) or the DOD Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory in Texas.
• It has been no more than 36 months and no less than 120 days before the date of arrival in Hawaii that KSU has received pet’s blood sample.
• Blood test results were greater than or equal to 0.5 IU/ml.
• Must have a copy of the successful blood test results showing pet’s microchip number.

4.  Documents:

• Original signature or carbon copy of rabies vaccination certificates for the two most recent rabies vaccinations (photocopies are not acceptable).  Certificates must contain:
  o    Vaccine name
  o    Lot or serial number
  o    Booster interval
  o    Vaccination date
  o    Expiration date
• Original health certificate in English, which was done within 10 days of arrival in Hawaii including rabies vaccine name, lot or serial number, booster interval, vaccination date and expiration date.
• Pets must be treated for ticks with a product containing Fipronil or an equivalent, long-acting product (Revolution is not acceptable) within 14 days of arrival and the product name and date of treatment is recorded on health certificate.

5.  Submission of Documents:

• Required Documentation:
  o    Completed Dog & Cat Import Form AQS-278 (must be notarized)
  o    Two original rabies vaccination certificates with actual veterinarian signature.
  o    Fee payments accepted by cashier’s check or money order only (pet’s microchip number must be included with payment), payable to: Department of Agriculture
           §    $165/pet in advance for direct airport release
           §    $224/pet in advance for 5-Day-or-Less program
• Documents must be sent to:Animal Quarantine Station99-951 Halawa Valley St.Aiea, Hawaii  96701
• Do not send each document separately.  Send all documents in as a set.
• Send documents by mail with return receipt to verify delivery, or by another overnight carrier that provides tracking.
• Keep copies of the necessary documents (health certificate, rabies vaccination records, and blood test results) to accompany your pet as backup.