Can Dogs Travel to Hawaii and What to Expect

So you're thinking of bringing your furry friend to Hawaii? Well, it's definitely possible, but there are some things you should know before making the trip. Hawaii requires a 10-day wait period after the dog's rabies vaccination, and a health certificate issued within 14 days of travel.

Dogs must also meet specific requirements for entry, including a current rabies vaccination and a microchip. This ensures your dog's safety and the safety of Hawaii's native wildlife.

If your dog is traveling from a country with a high risk of rabies, additional requirements may apply. For example, dogs from countries like Mexico and the Philippines require a blood test to ensure they're rabies-free.

It's also worth noting that some breeds of dogs are restricted from entering Hawaii, so be sure to check the state's agricultural department website for the most up-to-date information.

For another approach, see: Can You Hurt a Dog's Feelings?

To travel to Hawaii, your dog must be microchipped with a working microchip.

You'll need to complete four steps to prepare your dog for the "5 Days or Less" quarantine program, which can lead to direct airport release. The steps are outlined in the government checklist and latest information page, so be sure to check those out.

Rabies vaccination is a must, and the protocol is very specific. You'll need to follow the requirements to ensure a smooth entry process.

To qualify for the "5 Days or Less" quarantine program, you'll need to submit paperwork in time and complete all the required steps. This includes getting a working microchip, rabies vaccination, OIE-FAVN Blood Test, and a health certificate.

Related reading: Can Dogs Be Sick after Vaccination

Preparing your furry friend for a trip to Hawaii requires some planning ahead. To qualify for the "5 Days or Less" quarantine program, you'll need to get your dog or cat microchipped with a working microchip.

In Hawaii, rabies is a major concern, so your dog needs to have had at least two rabies vaccinations in their lifetime. The most recent vaccination must be active, not expired, before arrival. We learned this the hard way with our dog Hattie, who hadn't had any rabies vaccines in her lifetime.

To get your dog vaccinated, you'll need to get a vaccine certificate from your vet, certifying the date of the vaccine. This certificate will be submitted to the Department of Agriculture when applying for your permit. Make sure to wait 30 days between vaccinations and 30 days after the second vaccine for the blood test.

If your dog doesn't pass the antibody test, you'll likely need to get another vaccine, wait 30 days, and test again. This can be a bit of a process, but it's worth it to ensure your dog's safety and the safety of Hawaii's rabies-free habitat.

Here's a quick rundown of the vaccination process:

If your dog is traveling to Hawaii, it's essential to consider the arrival process. Arriving in Honolulu with your pet is best done between 8am to 3:30pm.

At the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (AAQHF), your dog will be inspected, including checking for ticks and other parasites. If all paperwork is in order and no issues are found, your dog may be eligible for Direct Airport Release.

To ensure a smooth arrival, make sure you have proper transportation for your pet, especially large dogs, as they must stay securely in their container until you leave airport property. If your dog arrives after 4:30pm, it will be held overnight until inspections are completed the following morning.

Here are the hours to keep in mind for picking up your pet at AAQHF:

Keep in mind that if Federal airport security advisories prohibit Direct Airport Release, you'll need to pick up your pet the following day from the Animal Quarantine Station (AQS).

Flying to Hawaii with your dog requires some planning, especially since not all US airlines that fly to Hawaii will fly pets to the island state.

If you're planning to fly with your dog in the cabin, you'll want to choose from airlines that allow this.

Arriving in Honolulu with your pet requires some planning to ensure a smooth experience. If your pet arrives at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport between 8am to 3:30pm, it will be transferred to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (AAQHF) within an hour.

The inspection hours at AAQHF are 8am to 5pm daily, including weekends and holidays. If everything checks out, including no ticks or parasites, your pet will be eligible for Direct Airport Release.

You can pick up your pet from AAQHF immediately after inspection, although delays have been common in recent years due to the coronavirus pandemic. AAQHF is located between Terminals 1 and 2, just 120 yards from baggage handling.

If your pet arrives after 4:30pm, it will be held overnight until inspections are completed the next morning. You'll need to pick up your pet between 8am and 10am the next morning, or it will be transferred to the "5 Days or Less" program.

Here are the key arrival hours to keep in mind:

Just remember to have proper transportation for your pet, especially large dogs, and keep them securely in their container until you leave airport property.

Flying a dog to Hawaii can be pricey, but choosing the right airline can save you some cash. To fly a dog to Hawaii on Alaska Airlines, it's $100.

You'll also need to pay for a rabies blood test, health certificate, and permit, which can add up to over $500. We paid $755 to bring our dog to Maui, broken down by cost.

Here's a breakdown of the costs:

Flying your furry friend to Hawaii can be a costly endeavor. You can expect to pay over $500 for your dog's flight, rabies blood test, health certificate, and permit.

We paid $755 to bring our dog to Maui, and the costs can vary depending on the airline. Alaska Airlines charges a $100 fee for flying a dog to Hawaii, while Hawaiian Airlines charges $225.

If you're looking to save money, choosing the right airline can make a big difference.

Pawpaws Express Shipping is a comprehensive service that can make shipping your pet to Hawaii a breeze. They provide a travel itinerary that includes booking and ticketing for your pet.

Their services also include travel to and from the airport, which can be a huge relief when you're already stressed about shipping your pet. They'll take care of getting your pet to the airport safely and on time.

Pawpaws Express will assist with obtaining a health certificate for your pet, which is a crucial step in the shipping process. This ensures that your pet meets all the necessary health requirements for travel.

Take a look at this: Shipping Dogs to Hawaii

They'll also handle customs clearance, so you don't have to worry about navigating the complex rules and regulations of international shipping. This includes ensuring that all necessary documents are in order.

Throughout the journey, Pawpaws Express prioritizes your pet's safety and comfort, providing a secure and comfortable environment for travel.

Temperature Restrictions are a crucial factor to consider when traveling to Hawaii with your pets. Once local temps at your origin airport or Honolulu reach 85 degrees, pet transports are halted for safety and liability reasons.

Spring and Autumn are generally the best times for traveling to Hawaii with your pets, as temperatures are milder during these seasons. This allows for a smoother and safer journey for your furry friends.

Hawaii is a rabies-free state, and they take great care to keep it that way. They have strict rules for pets entering the state, which can be a challenge for pet owners.

If you're coming from an exempt area, such as the British Isles, Australia, Guam, or New Zealand, you'll need to follow specific guidelines. Note that Guam has its own special requirements, so be sure to check the forms section for the Affidavit for Export from Guam to Hawai‘i.

Hawaii requires all pets to have had at least two rabies vaccinations in their lifetime, with the most recent vaccination being active and not expired. This means your dog needs to have had two vaccines, with the second one administered at least 30 days after the first, and the most recent vaccination must be more than 30 days old before arriving in Hawaii.

You'll need to get a vaccine certificate from your vet, certifying the date of the vaccine, and submit it to the Department of Agriculture when applying for your permit. If your dog doesn't pass the antibody test, you may need to get another vaccine and wait 30 days before testing again.

Here's a quick checklist for rabies vaccinations:

Hawaii is the only rabies-free state in the union, and they take their rabies-free status very seriously. To protect their habitat, they require all animals entering the state to have sufficient rabies antibodies in their bloodstream.

To ensure your dog has enough rabies antibodies, you'll need to get at least two rabies vaccinations in their lifetime, with the most recent one being active and not expired. The UK, where Hattie was from, is also rabies-free, so her owner had to get her two vaccines before bringing her to Hawaii.

In fact, Hawaii's rules are so strict that even if your dog has had rabies vaccines in the past, you'll still need to get them vaccinated again before bringing them to the state. This is because the vaccines need to be 30 days apart, and you'll also need to wait 30 days after the second vaccine to do a blood test.

Additional reading: Taking Dogs to Hawaii

If your dog doesn't pass the antibody test, you'll likely need to get another vaccine, wait 30 days, and test again. This process can be complex and time-consuming, which is why some pet owners choose to work with companies that specialize in pet health certificates and vaccinations.

Here's a quick rundown of the rabies vaccination requirements for Hawaii:

If you're planning to travel with your pet from a specific region, it's essential to know which areas are exempt from rabies quarantine. The British Isles, Australia, Guam, and New Zealand are among these exempt areas.

Pets arriving from these areas have specific rules to follow. For pets from these regions, there are no additional quarantine requirements, which is great news for pet owners.

Note that Guam has a special requirement for pets being exported to Hawaii. If you're planning to travel with your pet from Guam to Hawaii, be sure to check the FORMS section for the Affidavit for Export from Guam to Hawai‘i.