Shipping Pets

Health

Nothing can waylay a trip with an animal faster than a health problem, and your pet's well-being should be of primary importance to you. Have your pet examined by a licensed veterinarian, preferably one who has cared for the 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. (Note: 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 that 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. Animals traveling in the cabin are considered "carry-on luggage" by airlines, and as such must meet the same criteria as any baggage in that category. In other words, the pet carrier must fit under the seat. Obviously this restricts the carry-on option to very small animals. (A fee is usually charged.)

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 accordingly. Charges vary by airline so check with your airline for costs. Also the number of pets 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 shipping your pets as cargo. While this is more expensive than the other two methods, these methods 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 pet is allowed, please contact the Hawaii Department of Agriculture for more information.

Hawaii is a rabies-free state. 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.

NEW RULES HAVE RECENTLY GONE INTO EFFECT - Please visit the State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture Animal Quarantine website. The online brochure, checklists and forms are available.

Important Note - Pet owners are responsible for transporting all pets released from the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility to their vehicles or the inter-island terminal. 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.

If you are concerned about how your pet endured the flight, brief visual inspection of your pet is allowed at the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility. The office is located at the Ewa Service Road that runs between the inter-island terminal and the main terminal.

Owners may also call the airport facility for an update on their pet. The phone number is 808-837-8092. The facility is staffed 24 hours a day.

The Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation Pet Kennel accepts lodgers of the furry kind. The U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii Morale, Welfare and Recreation Pet Kennel is available for your cats and dogs. This kennel facility will quickly become your cat or dogs favorite home away from home. With exceptional customer service and all the love and care your pet will need you can be confident in leaving your pet at the MWR Kennel.

The kennel is located next to the Halawa State Quarantine site in Halawa Valley. Look for the sign "MWR Pet Kennel."

Eligibility

Limited spaces are available for eligible patrons who include: Active Duty, DOD, Retired and Reservists.

Reservations

In order to reserve a space for your pet, the registration form must be completed and a two day boarding deposit must be submitted to the kennel at least 20 days prior to the boarding date. The deposit will be refunded if the reservation is cancelled within five days of boarding. Boarding of animals without reservations will only be accepted on space availability. Peak times are summer, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Reservations should be made two to three months in advance for best availability options. Call 808-368-3456 for more information and reservations.

The Veterinary Treatment Facility on Marine Corps Base Hawaii offers routine vaccinations, annual exams, nail trimming, a wide selection of pet health care products and much more for the pets of military families. Retail pet supplies are sold to authorized patrons in the retail store. The MCBH Veterinary Treatment Facility is located at 455 Pancoast Place Kailua HI 96734 and can be reached at 808-257-3643.