How It Works:
The State of Hawaii, Animal Industry Division, has established the Animal Quarantine Branch to prevent the introduction of rabies to Hawaii. This program was established in 1912 and has evolved since. Currently, pets can be directly released at the airport if the pet owner follows strict procedures prior to the pet’s arrival in Hawaii. It takes at least four months to qualify an adult pet that has had at least one rabies vaccination. It takes about 9-10 months to qualify a newborn puppy or kitten for this program.
More information pertaining to the Animal Quarantine Branch can be found here: https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/ . If you feel you have all of the introductory information you require, please proceed.
HERE’S A SUMMARY FOR THE GENERAL STEPS COMING DIRECTLY TO KONA, HAWAII:
You will be:
- Vaccinating your pet for rabies and having a blood titer done, the pet must have a registered microchip, AND
- Applying for a permit with the Animal Quarantine Branch to come direct to Kona, AND
- Scheduling for an inspection with us AND
- Obtaining a health certificate (with tick medication applied and noted) from your veterinarian just before you fly.
VACCINES AND OTHER CRITERIA:
1) Pet must have 2 rabies vaccines in their lifetime. These cannot be closer than 31 days apart. The most recent rabies vaccine must still be current.
2) Pet must have a microchip. Make sure that is working and readable.
3) FAVN rabies titer is a blood draw and the pet must have a high enough titer to enter Hawaii.
The pet can enter Hawaii 30 days after FAVN titer results are completed and passing.
FAVN laboratories are Kansas State University, Auburn University and Department of Defense. Turnaround for FAVN results can be from 4-8 weeks.
Best to do the titer 1-6 months after a rabies vaccine to ensure titer will be high enough to pass.
When the above items are complete, you have a window between 1 1/2 months to 2 1/2 years to travel to Hawaii.
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APPLYING FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR ISLAND INSPECTION PERMIT FROM AQB:
You need to notify the Animal Quarantine Branch (AQB) that you will be coming directly to Kona and retrieve your Neighboring Island Inspection Permit. This can be done before or after you are set up with us. Be sure to submit the following documentation to the Animal Quarantine Station (99-951 Halawa Valley St. Aiea, HI 96701) 30 days or more ahead of the planned arrival. The Animal Quarantine Branch will be synchronizing the information you share with us with the information you send directly to them:
- Completed Dog & Cat Import Form (AQS 279) https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/files/2018/09/AQS-279_8.31.2018_no.4.pdf (Note: Check “Neighbor Island Inspection Permit $165” on the program applying for section of the Dog and Cat Import Form AQS-279)
- Include the original rabies vaccine certificates for the 2 most recent vaccinations. Must be signed in ink.
- Payment of $165 per pet ($98 for reentry fee) in cashier’s check or money order made out to the Dept. of Agriculture (no personal checks). This is a separate fee for them to get you the neighbor island inspection permit. This is a separate fee from ours. Always verify the fee amounts with AQB. The information above may not be updated if AQB has recently changed their rates.
Animal quarantine will send you a neighborhood island inspection permit via EMAIL from HDOA.AQS_do_not_reply@hawaii.gov. Make HDOA.AQS_do_not_reply@hawaii.gov a “Safe sender” or Trusted contact. This will be emailed as a PDF and will need to be printed on white paper by the owner. This needs to be with the pet when the pet is traveling. The permit typically arrives about 1-2 weeks before the flight but sometimes it comes just a few days before the flight. If you want a status update on your permit if it has not arrived 1 week before your flight, please call Animal Quarantine directly (best to call as soon as they open or on weekends) at 808.483.7151 option 6 option 2.
PREPARING TO SCHEDULE AN INSPECTION WITH US:
Look tentatively at potential flights. Flights must be more than 30 days out so we can get our confirmation to quarantine 30 days in advance, minimum. This means we must have all of your information and payment more than 30 days before the arrival. Do NOT book until you have arranged that the inspector can meet you and your pet when you arrive on the tentative flight using our website. Make sure your flight is coming directly into Kona International Airport from the mainland. If you have a layover on Oahu, Kauai, or Maui you will need to have your pet inspected at the airport on that island.
Always schedule with us before booking with your airline to make sure we are available for the arrival. Once your appointment is approved with us, purchase the plane ticket for the pet. Animal quarantine requires our confirmation 30 days before the arrival. Anything less than 30 days may be rejected by their office.
This website has been built for you to create an account and see when the inspector is available to meet you and your pet at Kailua-Kona’s Keohole International Airport (KOA) . Within your account, you will be able to plan for a future arrival, learn more about the process, and pay for inspection services. There is additional information below that you will need to review prior to creating an account with us. When you are ready, please select the button at the top to register and proceed to scheduling your inspection.
HERE ARE THE AIRLINES WE CAN WORK WITH:
These airlines provide a safe enclosed area to examine the pet in. (this section does get updated and may not reflect the latest airline rules)
Alaska Airlines: Pets traveling in cabin, baggage and cargo. ** No animals fly baggage during February and between November 1st and March 31st only 1 animal in baggage per flight. If someone else has already reserved a spot for an animal, you will need to work with Alaska to find a flight with an open spot.
United Airlines: Service Animals traveling in cabin only. United Airlines allows service animals in cabin only.
American Airlines: Service Animals traveling in cabin only. American Airlines allows service animals in cabin only.
Southwest: Service Animals traveling in cabin only. Southwest Airlines allows service animals in cabin only.
Private Charter/Kona Shuttle/Kona Express/Hawaii Shuttle
HOURS AND PRICES:
(while you are scheduling for an inspection, a calendar with times and prices will be available)
- Thursday 6pm-10:30pm
- Friday 9am-10:30pm
- Sunday 9am-7pm
- **Additional Inspections Hours October 15 through January 15th: Tuesday 6pm-10:30pm, Wednesday 6pm-10:30pm, Saturday 11am-10:30pm.
We are not available on Holidays (New Years Eve, New Years Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day).
We will be unavailable July 1st to Labor Day and December 19th to January 5th.
Inspection Fee: $350 weekday/$400 weekend/$500 private aircraft (includes a $100 non refundable administration fee) + GE Tax
+ $100 for each animal on the same flight
PREPARING TO FLY:
You will need a Health Certificate exam on the mainland within 7-10 days of flying (official Hawaii rule is within 14 days, most airlines require within 10 days, but we recommend 7 days so there is some wiggle room for unexpected emergencies delaying your travel plans)
Your veterinarian MUST administer tick preventative and write that on the health certificate during the health exam. Common products used are Frontline Plus, Nexgard, Bravecto, Advantix, Simparica or Revloution Plus but here is a list of the other approved products: https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/main/tick-treatments/
Animal quarantine will send you a neighborhood island inspection permit via EMAIL from HDOA.AQS_do_not_reply@hawaii.gov. Make HDOA.AQS_do_not_reply@hawaii.gov a “Safe sender” or Trusted contact. Your permit has a 5 day grace period for unexpected travel changes. You must ensure your inspector is available before arranging a new flight.
Your neighbor island inspection permit and the health certificate from your veterinarian with proof of tick medication needs to be with the pet at all times when the pet is traveling.
**We recommend all cats travel wearing a harness with a leash attached to the harness if possible for safety in catching them if they try to escape.**
*Note for dogs and cats moving to Hawaii: We recommend that dogs are up to date on their DHPP and Leptospirosis vaccinations. Dogs also need to be on heartworm, hookworm and roundworm prevention every month while in Hawaii. We also recommend any outdoor cats should have their FVRCP and FELV vaccinations up to date.*
ARRIVING IN KAILUA KONA:
When the plane arrives in Kona, please contact your inspector via text. Your inspector will get to the inspection area as efficiently as possible if he or she is finishing with another inspection. The inspector will inspect your pet and collect the neighbor island inspection permit and the health certificate along with proof of the tick medication applied by your veterinarian (most often noted as part of the health certificate). If there is no proof of the tick medication haven been given by your inspector, the inspector will apply topical tick medication at the airport. Each tick medication administered will cost $20 each.
Alaska Airlines Cabin: When you arrive in Kona, please text your inspector. Once you exit the plane, Alaska Airlines personnel should escort you to the inspection area which is a courtyard behind the alaska airlines ticketing counter. If you do not see anyone, please wait by the gate and they will look for you there as soon as they have an available personnel. Make sure to bring the neighborhood island inspection permit that you printed out and the original health certificate with proof of tick medication administration with you. If you end up at baggage claim and no one has escorted you to me, talk to the alaska airlines personnel at baggage claim and let them know you have to be escorted to the vet for your pet’s inspection.
Alaska Airlines Baggage: When you arrive in Kona, please text your inspector. Once you exit the plane, please wait by the gate. Alaska Airlines personnel should meet you as soon as they unload your pet from baggage and escort you to the inspection area which is a courtyard behind the alaska airlines ticketing counter. Make sure you have a leash with you if you want to walk your pet out after the inspection. If you end up at baggage claim and no one has escorted you to your inspector, inform the alaska airlines personnel at baggage claim that you have to be escorted to the vet to meet your pet that was traveling as baggage. Make sure to bring the neighborhood island inspection permit that you printed out and the original health certificate with proof of tick medication administration with you. Please bring a leash if you wish to walk your pet after the inspection. Options to transport your kennel are 1) Carry it or attach wheels to pull it, 2) Leave the kennel (do NOT leave your pet) and pick it up after you get the rest of your luggage and car, or 3) Rent a cart to transport kennel to baggage claim.
Alaska Airlines Cargo: When you arrive in Kona, please text your inspector. When you released from the terminal, have at least one person make your way to the Alaska Air Cargo which is located down at the second cargo warehouse where American Airlines Cargo is also located. This building is a 10 minute walk south of the terminal. It is best to google this location (look up “Alaska Air Cargo”, which is next to UPS) so you are familiar where you are going. Pets usually are brought down right after they unload the luggage, but make sure to come to get your pet before getting a rental car. We will do the inspection and paperwork down at cargo. Then, you and your pet are free to go. Make sure to bring the neighborhood island inspection permit that you printed out and the original health certificate with proof of tick medication administration with you. These documents can also be attached to the kennel while traveling.
United Airlines Cabin: When you arrive in Kona, please text your inspector. United Airlines personnel should escort you to the inspection area, which is the baggage room right next to the baggage claim for United. If you do not see anyone, please have at least one person make your way to the United Airlines baggage claim and let the personnel at the roll up window know you are there for the pet inspection. They will bring your pet to the office with the roll up window and we will do the inspection and paperwork there. Make sure to bring the neighborhood island inspection permit that you printed out and the original health certificate with proof of tick medication administration with you.
American Airlines Cabin: When you arrive in Kona, please text your inspector. American Airlines personnel should escort you to the inspection area, which is the baggage room right next to the baggage claim for American. If you do not see anyone, please have at least one person make your way to the American Airlines baggage claim and let the personnel at the roll up window know you are there for the pet inspection. They will bring your pet to the office with the roll up window and we will do the inspection and paperwork there. Make sure to bring the neighborhood island inspection permit that you printed out and the original health certificate with proof of tick medication administration with you.
Southwest Airlines Cabin: When you arrive in Kona, please text your inspector. Southwest Airlines personnel should escort you to the inspection area, which is the baggage room right next to the baggage claim for Southwest. If you do not see anyone, please have at least one person make your way to the Southwest Airlines baggage claim and let the personnel at the roll up window know you are there for the pet inspection. They will bring your pet to the office with the roll up window and we will do the inspection and paperwork there. Make sure to bring the neighborhood island inspection permit that you printed out and the original health certificate with proof of tick medication administration with you.
Kona Express/Kona Shuttle/Hawaii Shuttle: When your plane arrives in Kona, stay onboard, and your inspector will be allowed onboard for the inspection after the other passengers exit the aircraft. Make sure to have the neighborhood island inspection permit and the original health certificate with proof of tick medication administration with you for me to collect.
Private Aircraft: Let your inspector know the tail number either by email or text to 808 895 5369 the day of or before the flight. Also, let your inspector know any updated arrival times in case the tracking is blocked. With blocked tracking, we may not be able to be there when the plane arrives if it is earlier or later than the scheduled arrival time. When your plane arrives in Kona, stay onboard, and your inspector will be allowed onboard for the inspection. Make sure to have the neighborhood island inspection permit and the original health certificate with proof of tick medication administration with you for me to collect.