Ok when we received our orders to go to Hawaii, somehow the information regarding our pets was not mentioned. Seems the Army doesn't believe that pets are a necessity. Thankfully while I was speaking to a lady in Hawaii about housing, she brought it to my attention. Hawaii is a rabies free state with a strict quideline that must be met before you dogs can be released into your custody. One that can be very expensive if you are unaware of this and you could show up in Hawaii with your pets to only have them quarantined for 120 days for 1200.00 of your hard earned dollars. So here's the information. We did it and it's really easy to follow to ensure you dogs are eligible for DIRECT AIRPORT RELEASE. Now one thing that is not mention anywhere is that when you make your reservations at the Inn of Schofield your pets are not allowed to stay with you. On direct airport release you must have prior reservations at the Hawaii MWR kennel which is located next to the Hawaii Animal Quaratine Station. The cost is $14 per one pet or $25 for two. Also before I forget, the kennel wants you to try and make your pets reservation as much as 30 days before your projected arrival date or as soon as possible. Hopefully the link included on the post below will work and if not here is there direct line (808) 368-3456 Your pet's clearing process must be conducted thru your current duty stations VTF. Your pet's OLE-FAVN (rabies antibodies level ) testing must also be thru a authorized DOD unit. Your VTF will have this information and send off your dog's sample themselves. Also your dog and cat import form must be notorized when you send it off to Hawaii. When you receive your flight information you must contact the airline's to make arrangements for your pets to fly on the same flight with you. Here is where the Army thinks pets aren't necessary. You have to make your own travel plans for your pets and pay for their flight. I found that most pets based on their size will fly as cargo at the rate of $250 in the US. If you pet is small enough to take as carry on then the rate is $150. International rates are differant so call as soon as you receive your flight information. If your pets kennel doesn't have the large green Live Animal Sticker on it (or you threw it away like I did) you can buy the packet at any pet store for approx $5-$7. It includes the snap on food and water tray along with the live animal checklist that goes on top of your pet's kennel. You will have to conduct this inspection with the airline personnel before they accept your pet for boarded cargo. Footnote....if your pet is small and you can carry their kennel then great. But if your like us and have a big pet here's a little tip. You will need a little kennel cart of your own. Most airports have them on a first come first serve basis. This is very frustrating when moving your pet from point A to point B. Again most pet center carry for reasonable pricing a doggie dolley if you will. Trust me it's a investment that will pay for itself. Ok so long story short it's a lot of work but it can be done. The best advice I received from Ms Barbara from Ft Bragg turned out to be the best I had ever heard. She said keep a separate file for each dog. I went and bought one of those file keepers with the separate dividers in them so each dog had their own spot but all information was still in one spot. All paperwork going to Hawaii must have your pet's microchip number on it. They must be microchipped before the rabies test (OLE-FAVN) is done. Each rabies shot must be more than 90 older than the previous one. If you have more than one pet entering Hawaii send their paperwork together in one mailing but in separate manilla envelopes and with separate money orders for each. Send it in enough time that Hawaii receives it 10 days before you get there. Since you have to send originals of everything, make copies to carry with you. Make your last dog vet visit no more than 1-2 before you flight to Hawaii. Your pet's health certificate has very specific information that MUST be listed on it. They also have to be treated with frontline by your VTF. Most VTF's will let you bring your own frontline to avoid high cost, but they have to be the one to administer it to your pet. Also don't forget on that last pet visit to bring a stool sample as your pet is tested one last time for heartworms and such. Hope all this helps and good luck. Animal QuarantineHawaii is a rabies free state. Hawaii's quarantine law is designed to protect residents and pets from potentially serious health problems associated with the presence and spread of rabies. Success of the quarantine program is dependent on maintaining isolation of your pet from other animals for the required quarantine period.Importation of dogs, cats and other carnivores into Hawaii is governed by Chapter 4-29 of the State of Hawaii, Department of Agriculture Administrative Rules. This law says that these animals are required to complete a 120-day confinement in the State Animal Quarantine Station. If specific pre-arrival and post-arrival requirements are met, animals may qualify for a 30-day quarantine or a new 5-day-or-less quarantine that became effective on June 30, 2003. Qualifications for Hawaii residents with pets and reduced "re-entry" fees became effective on February 12, 2004.Animal Quarantine Station Rabies Information Brochure [aqsbrochure.pdf, Rev. 10/21/04] This brochure contains important information about pre-arrival requirements, quarantine station procedures, policies, rules, operations and fees.Hawaii Resident Pets: Owners wishing to leave the State of Hawaii with their pets, and return, must meet all requirements on the "Checklist for Hawaii Resident Pets" to return without extended quarantine. The 120 day "pre-arrival" waiting period after a successful rabies blood test is modified prior to leaving the State or can be in combination with time spent out-of-state before re-entry depending on circumstances. See Checklist for Hawaii Resident Pets for details.MWR Pet KennelsThe USAG-HI Morale, Welfare and Recreation Pet Kennel is available for your cats and dogs. The kennel is is located at the Halawa State Quarantine site in Halawa Valley. Look for the sign "MWR Pet Kennel." For more information, click here.
Re-Entry Fee Requirements: For pets re-entering Hawaii after completing a Hawaii animal quarantine program, click here for requirements to qualify for the reduced "Re-entry" fee for Direct Airport Release or 5-day or-less quarantine.
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