Pets

Besides needing to get your family to the island, you would of course need to make arrangements for any pets you may have.

I understand very well how much concern and love one can have for the fur babies. Because of this, I’ll include some detailed information on the process of moving your pets to Hawai’i.

Hawaii is part of the United States; however, as it is a rabies-free island, its pet import rules are different than other US States. Hawaii has a five-day or less program for bringing cats, dogs and ferrets into the state. The program is designed to allow pets that meet certain qualifications to be released immediately upon their arrival at the Honolulu airport.

Unless otherwise stated, the following regulations apply to domestic dogs, cats and ferrets.


 * To enter Hawaii, your pet must first be microchipped with an ISO 11784 pet microchip that is a 15 digit and non-encrypted. The certificate from your veterinarian must state the number of the microchip and it must contain the fact that the veterinarian was able to scan the chip successfully. The microchip can be of the standard US issue (Avid) or (Home Again) type or a 15 digit ISO pet microchip. The microchip must be implanted prior to your pet's rabies titer test (FAVN).
 * Your dog, or cat must have been vaccinated at least twice in its lifetime for rabies and those vaccinations must be more than 30 days apart. The latest vaccination must have done no less than 30 days prior to arrival in Hawaii. Two original copies of vaccination certificates must accompany your pet to Hawaii.
 * Unless your dog or cat is entering Hawaii from the British Isles, Australia, Guam or New Zealand, it must have a rabies titer test (FAVN). The titer test must be done not more than 36 months and not less than 30 days prior to arrival in Hawaii. Your pet's microchip must be implanted prior to the titer test. Have your veterinarian scan your pet's microchip prior to administering the titer test. Be sure that the titer test submittal form states that the destination is Hawaii so test results will be sent there. The sample must be processed at Kansas State University or DOD Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory in Texas. The test is valid for entering Hawaii for 36 months.
 * Your pet must be treated with a product containing Fipronil or an equivalent long-acting product labeled to kill ticks within 14 days of entering Hawaii.
 * Notarized Dog and Cat Import Form (AQS 279) is required for entry to Hawaii. A licensed veterinarian must complete a Veterinary Certificate for Hawaii in English. It must be an original - no photocopies are allowed. This certificate must be issued by your veterinarian not more than 14 days prior to your pet's arrival to Hawaii. USDA endorsement is not required when entering Hawaii from the mainland United States.  All documentation should be sent to the Animal Quarantine Branch. There is a fee for processing the documents. The documents and check must arrive 10 days before the pet's arrival to qualify for same-day release and reduced fees. Since the documents cannot be prepared by your veterinarian more than 14 days prior to arrival you must send them by Federal Express to qualify for airport release of your pet.
 * Dogs and cats meeting specific pre- and post-arrival requirements may qualify for 5-day–or-less quarantine program, which has a provision for direct release at Honolulu International Airport after inspection. Furthermore, Hawaiian law requires dogs and cats that do not meet all of the specific 5-Day-Or-Less program requirements to be quarantined for up to 120 days upon arrival in Hawaii.