FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE 5-DAY-OR-LESS QUARANTINE PROGRAM
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FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 5-DAY-OR-LESS
QUARANTINE PROGRAM
- What do I need to do to qualify
my pet for the 5-day-or-less quarantine program?
- What if my pet is not able to
complete the 120-day pre-arrival waiting period prior to arriving in
Hawaii?
- If I arrive before the 120-day
waiting period is completed on the mainland, can my pet be released
when the waiting period is completed in Hawaii?
- Do I have to submit original
documents prior to my pet's arrival or can I bring the documents with
me to the airport?
- Do I need to register with an
approved veterinary hospital, as indicated on Form AQS-278 Dog & Cat
Import Form, if I am qualifying my pet for direct release?
- What do we do once our plane
lands?
- How long does it take to process
a pet for direct release at the airport?
- I will not be traveling with the
pet. Can I designate someone to pick up my pet from the airport if it
qualifies for direct release?
- If I am not able to pick up my
pet at the airport, will you hold my pet?
- I am a resident of Hawaii and
want to take my pet out of the state on vacation. Do I have to
complete the same requirements as pets arriving from the mainland?
- Why are rabies vaccinations
required for Hawaii pets under the 5-day-or-less rules?
- What if I am not able to obtain
documents verifying the first rabies vaccination?
- Does my cat/dog need to be
treated for parasites?
- How long is the OIE-FAVN blood
test valid?
- Can we pay the fees at the
airport?
- How does a pet qualify for the
lower re-entry fees?
ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
- What do I need to do to
qualify my pet for the 5-day-or-less quarantine program?
Return to top
A Checklist is available to assist pet owners in
qualifying the pets for the 5-day-or-less program, including the
provisions for direct release at the airport. To link to the
Checklist, please click here.
- What if my pet is not able to
complete the 120-day pre-arrival waiting period prior to arriving in
Hawaii? Return to top
Pets arriving
anytime before the 120-day waiting period has elapsed will result in
disqualification of a pet from the 5-day-or-less quarantine program
and direct airport release.
All pets arriving before
the eligible date of entry will be quarantined and assessed $14.30
each day in addition to applicable program fees. Providing all other
requirements for the 5-Day-or-less program are met, the pet will then
qualify to enter the 5-Day-Or-Less program on the eligible entry date.
- If my pet arrives before the
120-day waiting period is completed on the mainland, can my pet be
released when the waiting period is completed in Hawaii?
Return to top
Providing all other requirements for the 5-Day-or-less program are in
compliance, the pet will then qualify to enter the 5-Day-Or-Less program
on the eligible entry date. (See FAQ 2)
- Do I have to submit original
documents prior to my pet's arrival or can I just bring the documents
with me to the airport? Return to top
If you seek direct release of the pet at the
airport, you must submit the required original documents at least 10
days prior to your pet's arrival. Only the health certificate may
arrive with the pet, due to the time constraints. If you do not submit
original documents ahead of time, it can prevent your pet from being
released at the airport. In addition, if there is a discrepancy in the paperwork, missing
documents, or external parasites are found on your pet, your pet will
not be released at the airport and your pet will be transferred to the
main Animal Quarantine Station until all requirements have been met.
- Do I need to register with an
approved veterinary hospital, as indicated on Form AQS-278 Dog & Cat
Import Form, if I am qualifying my pet for direct release?
Return to top
If you are
qualifying your pet for direct release, you do not need to register
with an approved veterinary hospital. However, if your pet must be
held for any significant time, you must register with an approved
animal hospital.
- What do we do once our plane
lands? Return to top
The airline is responsible for bringing all
arriving animals to our Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (AAQHF).
Pets allowed to fly in the passenger cabin will be taken by airline
personnel upon landing and will be transported to the AAQHF. Pets
qualifying for direct release will be processed at the facility, which
is located on the Ewa Service Road that runs between the Interisland
Terminal and the Main Terminal.
- How long does it take to
process a pet for direct release at the airport?
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Processing times vary, depending on how long it
takes your airline to deliver the pet to our facility and the number
of pets arriving for inspection at the same time. In some cases, the
airline may take up to one hour or more to deliver a pet to our
facility for processing.
Generally, we are able to process pets within an
hour from the time the pet is received at our facility. However,
problems with paperwork may significantly increase processing time.
If you are booking connecting flights, it is
recommended that you allow at least 4 to 5 hours.
- I will not be traveling with
the pet. Can I designate someone to pick up my pet from the airport if
it qualifies for direct release? Return
to top
Yes. You may designate someone as your agent to
pick up your pet from the airport for you. There are two ways you may
do this:
1) You must list that person's name on the
notarized Form AQS-278 Dog and Cat Import Form and on the Shipmaster's
Declaration Form that is required by the airline. Pets will not be
released to anyone that is not listed on those forms. ID will be
required. Or,
2) You may also submit a notarized letter
stating that your pet may be released to a specific individual.
- If I am not able to pick up my
pet at the airport, will you hold my pet?
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Pets that are not directly released under the
5-day-or-less program will be taken to the main Animal Quarantine
Station in Halawa Valley. If a pet stays between 0 and 5 days, the
cost will be $224. Fees for any additional days will be charged at
$18.70 per day.
- I am a resident of Hawaii and
want to take my pet out of the state on vacation. Do I have to
complete the same requirements as pets arriving from the mainland?
Return to top
Pets originating in
Hawaii must complete the requirements outlined in the "CHECKLIST
ONLY FOR RESIDENT DOGS AND CATS ORIGINATING FROM HAWAII AND RETURNING
FOR THE 5-DAY-OR-LESS PROGRAM”.
Since Hawaii
pets may not routinely be vaccinated for rabies, Hawaii residents should
begin preparations at least 4 months or more ahead of planned travel.
Two rabies vaccinations are required not less than three months apart,
with the most recent vaccination not less than 14 days before departure
from Hawaii.
While a pet does not have to stay outside of Hawaii for 120 days, the
OIE-FAVN rabies blood test must be passed not less than 14 days before
departure from Hawaii.
WARNING:
DUE TO VARIABILITY IN THE TIME A TESTING LABORATORY MAY TAKE TO
COMPLETE A TEST, IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT THE TEST BE DONE WELL
IN ADVANCE OF DEPARTURE AND THAT YOU VERIFY YOUR PET HAS PASSED THE
TEST PRIOR TO LEAVING THE STATE. WITHOUT A PASSING TEST RESULT AND
REQUIRED VACCINATIONS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, A PET WILL BE QUARANTINE FOR
UP TO 120 DAYS UPON RETURN.
- Why are rabies vaccinations
required for Hawaii pets under the 5-day-or-less rules?
Return to top
While Hawaii is rabies free. If you plan to take
your pet to an area where rabies is endemic, vaccinations will help to
protect your pet from possible rabies exposure.
- What if I am not able to
obtain documents verifying the first rabies vaccination?
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Certification
of at least two rabies vaccinations is required. If your pet has
documentation for only the most recent vaccination, it will not
qualify for the 5-day-or-less quarantine program. To qualify, your pet
will need to be receive a booster no less than 90 days after the
previous vaccination and no less than 14 days before departure from
Hawaii.
- Does my cat/dog need to be
treated for parasites? Return to top
Yes. Dogs and cats must be treated by your
veterinarian with Fipronil (brand name Frontline®)
within 14 days prior to arrival and the treatment must be documented
on the health certificate.
K-9 Advantix®
is an acceptable treatment for DOGS ONLY, DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT ON
CATS. However, Revolution®
IS NOT an acceptable treatment.
You should always consult with your veterinarian
prior to application of flea/tick products on your pet.
- How long is the
OIE-FAVN blood test valid? Return to top
The OIE-FAVN test result is valid for 36 months
from the day the blood was received at the laboratory.
15.Can we
pay the fees at the airport? Return to
top
You may pay the fees at the airport by VISA,
Mastercard, travelers check or cash. For faster processing at
the airport, payment by cashiers check or money order may be sent in
more than 10 days prior to the pet's arrival. Payment must be
made in the exact amount and submitted with Form AQS-278 Dog
and Cat Import Form to ensure proper credit.
16.How
does a pet qualify for the lower re-entry fees? Return to
top
Please refer to the requirements listed for
qualifications under "Re-Entry Fee Requirements" or
click here to link to the webpage.
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