Shipping Pets

Health

Nothing can waylay a trip with an animal faster than a health problem and your pet's wellbeing should be of primary importance to you. Have your pet examined by a licensed veterinarian, preferably one who has cared for your animal on a regular basis. Ask the doctor to prescribe a motion sickness pill or sedative as a preventive measure. Don't tranquilize your animal automatically. Sedated animals are more likely to develop problems. Motion sickness pills are preferable to tranquilizers. Never give your pet tranquilizers without your vet's approval and never give an animal any medication that has been prescribed for human use. Avoid traveling with an animal during extreme weather. Pets who are tranquilized are especially susceptible to breathing problems as are breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Pekingese who have short-faced heads. Some airlines will not accept pets that have been tranquilized.

Air travel has become the most common way to transport animals. Unfortunately it is also the most stressful and most fraught with potential hazards. Reservations for cabin pets must be made as early as possible with the airline. Rules differ from airline to airline but generally only one animal per flight is allowed in the cabin and permission is granted on a first-come-first-serve basis. A fee is usually charged. Animals traveling in the cabin are considered carry-on luggage by airlines. Therefore the carrier must meet the same criteria as any baggage in that category. In other words the pet carrier must fit under the seat in front of you. Obviously this restricts the carry-on option to very small animals.

In most cases animals fly in the cargo section of the plane. Most airlines will allow you to ship your pets as excess baggage and charge additional fees accordingly. Charges vary by airline so check with your airline for costs. The number of pets permitted in the cargo hold is limited and reservations should be made well in advance. Many airlines also place embargos on pet transportation when the weather can be too hot or cold to transport pets safely.

Another option is to ship your pets as cargo. While this is more expensive than the other two methods this method provides more certainty that your pet will be placed on the airplane and is the only way they may travel unaccompanied. Costs vary by airline and are based on the combined weight of the pet and the shipping crate. All animals must be confined in airline-approved shipping crates. Contact your airline for their specific requirements.

The State of Hawaii prohibits the introduction of all snakes. Certain pets other than dogs or cats may also be restricted. To determine if your specific pets are allowed, please contact the Hawaii Department of Agriculture for more information.

Shipping Procedures

Pets may only enter Hawaii at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Oahu. Upon arrival, the airline personnel will transport all dogs and cats directly to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (AAQHF) which is staffed by state personnel. Pets qualifying for direct release will be processed at the facility. The AAQHF is located on the Ewa Service Road that runs between the interisland terminal Terminal 2 and the main terminal Terminal 1. It is best to drive there by car. There is a sign at the head of the road for Plants and Animal Quarantine. Contact the AAQHF at 808-837-8092.

Pets arriving in the late afternoon and evening will be held overnight until inspections are completed the following morning. Pets qualified for direct airport release that are held overnight for release in the morning at the AAQHF must be picked up by 10 a.m. or an additional fee of $59 will be charged.

Please be aware that pet owners are responsible for transporting all pets released from the AAQHF to their vehicles or the interisland terminal (Terminal 2). Airport security regulations do not permit animals to be let out of the transport crate on airport property. Pets must be picked up and loaded into a vehicle or onto a baggage cart in their transport crate. Therefore vehicles must be large enough to accommodate the intact crate with the pet inside. There are no baggage carts or porters in the immediate vicinity of the AAQHF.

Pet shipping costs vary with the type of flight. For example, if your pet is considered excess baggage, the cost is substantially lower because the animal can be carried on the plane. However the average cost for shipping a pet can range from $40-$50 per pet to a full-fare passenger ticket. Contact airlines directly to obtain additional information on pet shipments.

Commercial Carrier's Pet Policy for Summer Travel

Due to heat consideration many airlines have a restricted policy concerning the transportation of pets from May 15th to September 15th. Major airlines will not accept pets as checked baggage unless you are military or government personnel with return orders who are traveling with pets from outside continental U.S. to continental U.S. for duty. Most airlines will accept your pet as excess baggage which is the term used when you are traveling with your pet, as long as the temperature on the day of travel meets the conditions stated in the airline's policy. Please call your airline’s central ticketing office agent for the latest information for shipping pets for summer travel.

Kennel Requirements

All animal kennels must meet government regulations for acceptable kennel size and type. When shipping your pet you can include a familiar toy in the cage. The cage must be large enough for the animal to turn around, stand up and lie down with normal posture and body movement. Several layers of newspaper, shredded paper or absorbent material should be placed in the bottom of the container. You should feed your pets very lightly and provide a drink of water before turning them in for shipment. If at all possible do not ship female pets that are in heat. This condition causes great distress to other pets and may result in injury. Female suckling young and yet-to-be-weaned animals will not be accepted for carriage. Weaned puppies younger than eight weeks old should not be shipped due to possible dehydration.

Costs

Pet shipment is not an entitlement. All costs incurred are at the member's expense.  A Pet Travel Reimbursement program is available effective January 2024, please see your MPF or CPPA for information and assistance.  Upon Assignment Notification/Receipt of Orders from Military Personnel Flight (MPF) or Command Pay and Personnel Administrator (CPPA) you must declare whether you're shipping a pet during your assignment briefing. This is accomplished concurrently with your official port call request.

The following information must be provided to the Traffic Management Office/Transportation Office when you make your pet reservations:

• Dimensions and weight of kennel
• Weight of animal
• Species of pet (dog or cat)

The government will reimburse quarantine fees up to $550. Reimbursement request is accomplished through travel claim, DD Form 1351-2.

Hawaii is rabies-free. Hawaii's dog and cat import 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 purpose or age puppies and kittens included must comply with Hawaii's dog and cat import requirements. Non-domestic dogs and cats and hybrids such as wolf, wolf cross, Dingo, Bengal and Savannah are prohibited under the Plant Quarantine Law. There are two rabies quarantine programs for dogs and cats entering Hawaii. The 120-day quarantine and the five-day-or-less program (which includes airport release). Please review the online checklist for the five-day-or-less program. The checklist must be followed exactly. Any variation may cause your pet to be placed in the 120-day quarantine program.

Fees for Direct Release and Quarantine Programs

Total Fees (per pet):

• Direct airport release program: $185
• Five-day-or-less program: $244
• 120-day program: $1,080

All fees are due prior to the release of your pet.

Animals entering Hawaii on direct flights from the British Isles, Australia, Guam and New Zealand may be exempt from quarantine if specific requirements are met.

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture's Plant Quarantine Branch regulates the importation of non-domestic animals (any animal not considered to be domesticated and common in Hawaii).

Domesticated animals are those animals bred for the purpose of living near or about the habitations of humans. Examples of domesticated animals include dogs, cats, cattle, swine, poultry and horses. Domesticated animals are regulated by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture's Animal Industry Division. For more information on guidelines for importing domesticated animals, please see rabies quarantine for dogs and cats or importing livestock to Hawaii.

Some non-domestic animals are allowed into the state while others are not. If you wish to bring a pet other than a dog or cat, it is highly suggested you contact the Plant Quarantine Non-Domestic and Microorganism Office for more information. Please call 808-832-0566 or 808-837-8413 with questions.

The following are some of the more common animals prohibited from entry or possession of private individuals in the state:

• Alligators
• Bees (Alive or Dead)
• Bulbuls
• Electric Catfish
• Ferrets
• Gerbils
• Geckos
• Hamsters
• Hermit Crabs
• Land Snails
• Monk Parakeets
• Piranhas
• Snakes
• Snapping Turtles
• Toucans

Pet Grant Information

Operation Military Pets Assistance Application (SPCAI Grants):  Please go to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International (SPCAI) website for information and assistance on this program.  https://www.spcai.org.

For Air Force Personnel, please check with the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) for Pet Grants, Effective May 2021.  https://www.afas.org.

Vaccinations, Licensing and Registration

Dog Licenses

All dogs over 4 months of age are required to be licensed. The license may be purchased from the Humane Society, at any satellite city hall or by mail. The license is good for one year.

Fees:

• $10 for dogs 4-7 months of age
• $10 for neutered dogs 8 months of age and older (The veterinary certificate form CS-L(SS)81B that affirms neutering must be submitted with the application.)
• $28.50 for unneutered dogs 8 months of age and older

Pet owners have 10 working days to register their pets with any military veterinary treatment facility. All cats and dogs living on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam must have a microchip implant and rabies vaccinations. Beginning July 1, 2020, all cats and dogs on Oahu over 4 months of age must have microchip identification. Microchip fees are $25. User fees are $2 plus a wellness screening fee of $10 for each visit.

Neuter Now

The city and county of Honolulu, the Hawaiian Humane Society and Oahu veterinarians jointly support Neuter Now, a program that provides low-cost spaying and neutering for owned dogs and cats. Neuter Now certificates are valid for three months. Costs are $40 for a male cat, $50 for a female cat, $125 for a male dog and $150 for a female dog.

Purchase a sterilization certificate at the Hawaiian Humane Society or any satellite city hall. This subsidized service is available to all residents of Oahu. If you are under age 18, a parent or guardian must sign the sterilization certificate.

Dogs in Pickup Trucks

Dogs in the back of pickup trucks must be properly restrained in a secured carrier or cross-tethered from three points in the truck bed to prevent them from being thrown from the truck.

Leash Law

Dogs on public property are required to be under restraint on a leash of eight feet or less. This includes beaches and parks except for those specifically designated as off-leash parks. In addition, dogs are not allowed on private property without the property owner's consent.

Mandatory Spay/Neuter

All cats that are 6 months of age or older and permitted outside are required to be spayed or neutered.

The Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation Pet Kennels accepts lodgers of the furry kind. The U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Morale, Welfare and Recreation MWR Kennels is available for dogs and cats and is located at the Halawa State Quarantine site in Halawa Valley at 99-951 Halawa Valley Street.

Fees:

• Small kennel (8x4 feet): $36.50 per night, $31.50 for each additional pet, kenneled together (for cats and small dogs 14 pounds or less)
• Medium kennel (15x5 feet): $41.50 per night, $36.50 for each additional pet, kenneled together (for dogs 15-50 pounds)
• Large kennel (18x5 feet): $46.50 per night, $41.50 for each additional pet, kenneled together (for dogs 51-100 pounds)
• Suite (35x8 feet): $56.50 per night, $51.50 for each additional pet, kenneled together (for dogs 100+ pounds)

Reservations

All reservations must have a deposit of two nights’ to confirm the reservation. First-time boarders are required to show their DoD ID Card in person for verification. We accept reservations up to two months in advance. Those who are or will be traveling for leisure with reservations of 30 consecutive days or more are required to make a deposit of 50% of the total.

Those traveling for 30 consecutive days or more are required to have two on-island emergency contacts on file as well as the supervisor’s name and contact information. Any customers requiring boarding for 60 consecutive days or more must pay the amount due each month. Owners with reservations of 30 days or more must provide monthly preventatives (heartworm, flea and tick medicine) for the duration of their animal’s stay.

Vaccine requirements must be sent to the office prior to the date of drop-off to ensure animal(s) are up to date. Failure to send vaccination records may result in cancellation of reservation and the deposit will be surrendered.

Boarding of animals without reservations will be accepted only if space is available. Peak kenneling times are summer, Thanksgiving and Christmas and reservations should be made two months in advance for best availability options. Call 808-368-3456 for more information and reservations. Visit the MWR pet kennels website for more information or email us at HIMWRPETKENNELS@GMAIL.COM.

Stay tuned for our move to our Brand New Facility opening up on Higgins Road in Wahiawa.  Prices will also be going up.

Veterinary Services are not available on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam Naval Base Pearl Harbor.

Veterinary Services are available, but not shipping and kenneling on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam Air Field.  E-Mail:  jbphhvtf@gmail.com 

Veterinary Treatment Facilities are available at:

• Hickam Air Field JBPHH, 808-449-6481
• Fort Shafter 808-433-9739/9736
• Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe Bay, 808-257-3643/3627
• Schofield Barracks 808-655-5893/5889

The Vet Clinic provides vaccinations, internal/external parasite control and health certificates for dogs and cats of authorized active duty, retired military personnel and their respective dependents.

The following products are available:

• Pet vitamins
• Heart worm pills
• Oral hygiene
• Shampoos
• Ear cleaner
• Flea control products.

Microchip implants for pet identification are also available at the vet clinic.

Appointments are scheduled in person or phone call during normal office hours at Hickam Air Field Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed on Major Holidays and the Last Business Day of the Month from noon to 4 p.m.

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 purpose or age, puppies and kittens included, 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 five-day-or-less quarantine program which has a provision for direct airport release at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport after inspection. See the checklist for five-day-or-less program for details.

Furthermore the law requires dogs and cats not meeting all of the specific five-day-or-less program requirements to be quarantined for up to 120 days upon arrival in Hawaii. See the Hawaii rabies quarantine information brochure for details on the 120-day quarantine.

Pets that qualify for the shortened quarantine will be authorized a direct release from the airport if all pre-arrival requirements are completed and all required paperwork and payments are submitted at least 10 days prior to arrival.

Email the quarantine program for more information at rabiesfree@hawaii.gov or hdoa.info@hawaii.gov.

Some non-domestic animals are allowed into Hawaii while others are not. If you wish to bring a pet other than a dog or cat it is highly suggested you contact the Plant Quarantine Non-Domestic and Microorganism Office for more information. Contact the office at 808-832-0566 or 808-837-8413 to address your specific questions.

The following are some of the more common animals prohibited from entry or possession of private individuals in the state of Hawaii:

• Alligators
• Bees (Alive or Dead)
• Bulbuls
• Electric Catfish
• Ferrets
• Gerbils
• Geckos
• Hamsters
• Hermit Crabs
• Land Snails
• Monk Parakeets
• Piranhas
• Snakes
• Snapping Turtles
• Toucans

Birds

The Department of Agriculture, Plant and Non-Domestic Animal Quarantine Chapter 71 prohibits the introduction of all birds into Hawaii except under permit from the State Department of Agriculture. Permits are issued only for birds that are considered not detrimental to Hawaii's economy and community including our natural resources, agriculture, recreational areas and general public. For information on bringing your bird to Hawaii please call 808-837-8092.

Exceptions to Quarantine

There are no exemptions from quarantine except for the following:

• Guide dogs for the blind and certified service dogs for the disabled are exempted from quarantine. Visitors or new residents still need to complete pre-shipment requirements including having a current rabies vaccination and two World Organization for Animal Health-Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization rabies blood tests.
• Dogs and cats from New Zealand, Australia, Guam and the British Isles are also exempt.

Only pets arriving from the British Isles, Australia, Guam and New Zealand may qualify for exempt status. Pets arriving from all other foreign countries will need to qualify under one of the other programs outlined above.

Satellite Quarantine Stations

Honolulu is the port of entry for all animals. Your pet must first come to the Animal Quarantine Station on Oahu for positive identification and examination. Pets usually stay in Honolulu at least two days before being transferred. In addition to the fees charged by the satellite facilities there are also fees that must be paid to the state prior to the pet being transferred to the satellite facility.

There are no satellite facilities on Maui, Molokai or Lanai. However there are approved animal hospitals on Maui the Big Island and Kauai where pets may be quarantined.

Satellite Quarantine Stations:

• Bar-King Dog Kennel - Big Island 808-966-8733 P.O. Box 1184 Keaau HI 96749
• Kauai Humane Society - Kauai 808-632-0610 P.O. Box 3330 Lihue HI 96766