Hawaii

Hawaii is rabies-free. 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.
Chapter 4-29 Hawaii Administrative Rules, governs the importation of dogs, cats and other carnivores into Hawaii. This law states that dogs and cats meeting specific pre and post arrival requirements may qualify for 5-days-or-less quarantine or direct release at Honolulu International Airport after inspection. The only exceptions made to the quarantine are for animals originating from other rabies-free areas that have prevention, control and surveillance methods that are equal to or stricter than those of Hawaii. At the present time, the only areas judged to meet these criteria are the British Isles, Australia, Guam and New Zealand. Animals that are native or have resided in these areas for six months prior to travel, and who meet strict transportation requirements, are allowed into Hawaii without quarantine. The current list of rabies-free countries for purposes of this exclusion may be found at http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs

Furthermore, the law requires dogs and cats not meeting all of the specific 5-Day-Or-Less program requirements to be quarantined for up to 120 days upon arrival In Hawaii.  For further information on quarantine programs see the brochure at http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/aqsbrochure.pdf 

It takes at least four months to qualify an adult pet that has had at least one rabies vaccination.  It takes at least 10 months to qualify a newborn puppy or kitten for this program. 

In a nutshell, the 5-day or fewer program requires you to certify as follows:

• My 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:
◦ Not more than 12 months prior to my pet’s date of arrival in Hawaii for a 1-year rabies vaccine or;
◦ Not more than 36 months prior to my pet’s date of arrival in Hawaii for a 3-year rabies vaccine.
◦ The most recent rabies vaccination was also done:
Not less than 90 days before my pet’s date of arrival in Hawaii.
The date and type of vaccine must be indicated on the pet’s vaccination and health certificates
• My dog or cat has an electronic microchip implanted (Required before an OIE-FAVN rabies blood test is
performed).
• The microchip has been scanned by my veterinarian to verify that it is working and that the microchip
number is correct.
• I understand that if scanning the implanted microchip cannot identify my pet, it will not qualify for either
direct airport release or the 5-day-or-less quarantine and will be assigned to 120 days quarantine
• I had an OIE-FAVN rabies blood test performed. The day after KSU or DOD received my pet’s blood sample was not more than 36 months and not less than 120 days before the date of arrival in Hawaii.
• The result of my pet’s blood test was greater than or equal to 0.5 IU/ml.
• The test was done at an approved lab (Kansas State University or the DOD Food Analysis and
Diagnostic Laboratory in Texas)
• I have a copy of this successful blood test result showing my pet’s microchip number.

A complete checklist for the 5 day or less program is available at http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/aqs-checklist-5DOL.pdf

Prohibited Animals:

The regulation of animal breeds and species that are permitted to enter Hawaii is under Plant Quarantine Branch jurisdiction and administrative rules. Non-domestic dogs and cats and hybrids such as wolf, wolf cross, Dingo, Bengal, Savannah, etc. are prohibited under Plant Quarantine (PQ) law. Refer to http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/pi/pq/animal

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 the 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.

Incorrect or missing information? Please contact us and let us know.

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