Animal Quarantine Information Page (Updated)
COVID-19 ADVISORIESOIE-FAVN TESTSOIE-FAVN testing laboratories are experiencing longer than usual processing times. Test results may be delayed between 1 to 2 months.
It is strongly advised that the FAVN test be done well in advance so that a passing FAVN is obtained before requesting a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit. Failing to do so has resulted in pet owners not obtaining a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit in time for their flight. *********************** |
| Direct Release Requirements | |
| Minimum waiting period after a successful FAVN rabies antibody test before arriving in HI. | 30 Days |
| Minimum waiting period after most recent rabies vaccination before arriving in HI. | 30 Days |
| Current Fees | |
| Direct Airport Release in Honolulu | $185* |
| * Flight arrival times and COVID-19 mitigation procedures have increased the time for pet releases. Additional, extended delays are also created when pet owners do not submit their paperwork 10 days or more before arrival and have their documents reviewed at the AAQHF. It may not be possible to process these cases on arrival. The higher fee of $244 for each dog or cat released at the airport shall apply (instead of $185) when documents are not received by the Animal Quarantine Station 10 days or more before arrival. This includes situations where documents are submitted on arrival for review and qualification purposes. | |
| 5 Day or Less | $244 |
| Neighbor Island Inspection Permit – Direct release in Kona, Kaua‘i or Maui | $165 |
| Arriving early before eligible for 5 Day or Less (Honolulu) | $14.30/each day early + $244 |
| Re-Entry Fee (if qualified) | $98** |
| ** The higher fee of $130 for each dog or cat released at the airport shall apply (instead of $98) when documents are not received by the Animal Quarantine Station 10 days or more before arrival (re-entry). This includes situations where documents are submitted on arrival for review and qualification purposes. | |
| Forms | ||
| Dog & Cat Import Form | AQS-279 | |
| 5 Day or Less Checklist (For pets located outside Hawai‘i) |
“Checklist 1 – for Direct Airport Release & 5 Day or Less Program” (for Honolulu arrival) | |
| 5 Day Or Less Checklist (For pets located in Hawai‘i and traveling) |
“Checklist 3 – Only for Dogs and Cats Located in Hawai‘i that are Departing and Returning for Direct Airport Release & 5 Day Or Less Program” (for Honolulu arrival) | |
| Neighbor Island Inspection Checklist (For pets located outside Hawai‘i) |
“Checklist 2 – for Requesting Direct Airport Release at Kona, Kahului and Līhu‘e Airports” | |
| Neighbor Island Inspection Checklist (For pets located in Hawai‘i) |
“Checklist 4 – Only for Dogs and Cats Located in Hawai‘i that are Departing and Requesting DAR at Kona, Kahului and Līhu‘e Airports on Return” | |
NOTICE: After signing release documents at the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (AAQHF) animals in crates, including dogs and cats will be released to the owner or handler to load into their vehicle or onto their luggage cart at the AAQHF. The AAQHF will deliver and off load crated animals to only to the sidewalk area in front of the AAQHF. Owners are solely responsible for lifting the crates into vehicles or onto luggage carts.
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► ADVISORY A
(For pets flying in to Kona, Kahului and Līhu‘e Airports)
(Updated 1/24/24)
A Neighbor Island Inspection Permit issued by the Department must be presented to the airline prior to boarding and is required to fly a cat or dog directly to an approved neighbor island airport.
Arrivals on neighbor islands require prior reservations with an approved private veterinary facility (see the appropriate checklist). Please make arrangements well in advance of the flight. Neighbor Island permits WILL NOT be issued without confirmation with those facilities.
Before booking your flight, refer to the appropriate checklist based on where your pet is located, either:
“Checklist 2 – for Requesting Direct Airport Release at Kona, Kahului and Līhu‘e Airports” (updated 1/24)
or
All procedures must be followed or the dog or cat will be denied entry at Kona, Kahului or Līhu‘e Airport. Pets that are denied entry will be transported to Honolulu for inspection or transported out of the state at the owner’s expense.
As of July 1, 2021, the Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP) will be emailed only to the e-mail address of the primary owner listed on the AQS-279 form once documents are received and the pet qualifies.
Owners are required to print the copy of the NIIP emailed to them to present to the airlines.
No permits are issued or required to fly a dog or cat into the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.
- Due to the large volume of requests for Neighbor Island Inspection Permits, owners must ensure the following documentation is received by the Animal Quarantine Station 30 days or more ahead of the planned arrival:
- Completed Dog & Cat Import Form (AQS-279).
- Original rabies vaccine certificates for the 2 most recent vaccinations.
- Payment of $165 in cashier’s check or money order made out to the Hawai‘i Dept. of Agriculture (no personal checks).
- Flight information (i.e. Airlines, flight number, date and time of arrival).
- A letter from the owner requesting Direct Airport Release at either “Kona” or “Kahului” or “Līhu‘e”.
- Contact a listed veterinary hospital to see if they are able to perform the inspection at the desired airport.
Owners must contract with and make reservations for inspection with the following approved clinics:
-
- Kona, Hawai‘i Island
- Ali’i Veterinary Hospital, (808) 329-8999 or
- Keauhou Veterinary Hospital (808) 322-2988
- Direct Airport Release Kona, http://konapets.travel
- Kahului, Maui –
- At Home Animal Hospital & Mobile Veterinary Services (808) 873-0102,
- Central Maui Animal Clinic (808) 893-2380, Kahului Animal Hospital (808) 871-7387,
- Kihei Veterinary Clinic (808) 879-5777,
- Makawao Veterinary Clinic (808) 572-9003,
- Maui Humane Society (808) 877- 3680,
- South Shore Veterinary Care (808) 874-3422, or
- West Maui Animal Clinic (808) 662-0099
- Maui Direct Release (808) 855-0125
- Līhu‘e, Kaua‘i
- Kaua‘i Humane Society (808) 632-0610 or
- Kaua‘i North Shore Animal Clinic (808) 755-8728
- Kona, Hawai‘i Island
These contractors will send a confirmation to the Animal Quarantine Station that they have agreed to perform the inspection and release procedure. Owners are responsible for the additional fees to the contractor for this service.
- Check with your airline well in advance because some airlines may not be participating.
► ADVISORY B
Inspection hours for dog and cats at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu) are between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, including weekends and holidays. This information is particularly important for those who are qualifying their pets for direct release in Honolulu.
Pet owners should be sure to arrange for their flights to arrive by 3:30 p.m. because it may take up to one hour for the airlines to transport a pet to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility and animals not arriving at the facility by 4:30 p.m. will not be released at the airport that day.
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 Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility must be picked up by 10:00 a.m. or an additional $59 will be charged. Pet owners who are arriving in Honolulu and connecting to neighboring islands should pay particular attention to the inspection hours.
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CONTACT INFO:
- Email us: [email protected]
- Animal Quarantine Station phone: (808) 483-7151
(Due to the large volume of calls and the time zone difference, the best way to contact the Animal Quarantine Station is via the email address above.) - Mailing address to submit forms:
Animal Quarantine Station
99-951 Hālawa Valley Street
ʻAiea, Hawaiʻi 96701- Cashier’s checks and money orders should be made payable to: Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture
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► HAWAI‘I’S ANIMAL QUARANTINE LAW
Hawai‘i is rabies-free. Hawai‘i’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 Hawai‘i’s dog and cat import requirements.
Chapter 4-29 Hawaii Administrative Rules, governs the importation of dogs, cats and other carnivores into Hawai‘i. This law states that dogs and cats meeting specific pre- and post-arrival requirements may qualify for 5 Day Or Less quarantine program, which has a provision for direct release at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu) after inspection.
Furthermore, the law requires dogs and cats that do not meet all of the specific 5 Day Or Less program requirements to be quarantined for up to 120 days upon arrival in Hawai‘i. Please read thoroughly the following documents containing details on the rabies quarantine programs for importing dogs and cats.
- “Hawai‘i Rabies Quarantine Information Brochure” (Updated 8/2019)
Why it is important that rabies be kept out of Hawai‘i:
See CDC report: Rabies: A Forgotten Killer (June 2019)
Prohibited Animals:
The regulation of animal breeds and species that are permitted to enter Hawai‘i is under Plant Quarantine Branch jurisdiction and administrative rules. Non-domestic dogs and cats and hybrids such as wolf, wolf cross, Dingo, Bengal, Savannah, etc. are prohibited under Plant Quarantine (PQ) law. Refer to Plant Quarantine’s animal guidelines for importation.
Puppies and Kittens:
Due to the minimum amount of time needed to prepare a puppy or kitten to meet the requirements of the 5 Day Or Less program, a newborn puppy or kitten will be about 6 months of age by the time the preparations are completed. Puppies and kittens not able to meet all of the requirements for the 5 Day Or Less program will be quarantined for 120 days.
Pets Located in Hawai‘i:
Owners wishing to leave Hawai‘i with their pets and return without extended quarantine must meet all requirements listed on the “Checklist Only For Resident Dogs And Cats Originating From Hawai‘i And Returning For The 5 Day Or Less Program.” The length of the waiting period after a successful rabies blood test is modified and must be completed before leaving Hawai‘i. “Checklist 3 – Only for Dogs and Cats Located in Hawai‘i that are Departing and Returning for Direct Airport Release and the 5 Day Or Less Program” (Updated 6/2023)
Re-Entry Fee Requirements:
For pets re-entering Hawai‘i after completing a Hawai‘i rabies quarantine program, click here for requirements when a reduced “Re-entry” fee for Direct Airport Release or 5 Day Or Less quarantine applies.
Direct Release on Neighbor Islands:
Owners wishing to fly their pet directly to Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA), Kahului Airport (OGG) or Līhu‘e Airport (LIH) must obtain a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP).
NIIPs require prior reservations with an approved private veterinary facility (see the appropriate checklist). Please make arrangements well in advance of the flight. Neighbor Island permits WILL NOT be issued without confirmation with those facilities.
Refer to either “Checklist 2 – for Requesting Direct Release at Kona, Kahului and Līhu‘e Airports” (updated 1/24)
Or, for pets located in Hawai‘i, use: “Checklist 4 – Only for Dogs and Cats Located in Hawai‘i that are Departing and Requesting Direct Airport Release at Kona, Kahului and Līhu‘e Airports on Return” (updated 1/24)
Note that one of the requirements to obtain a NIIP is that owners must contract with and make reservations for inspection at these airports with one of the veterinary hospitals listed on the checklist. These contractors will send a confirmation to the Animal Quarantine Station that they have agreed to perform the inspection and release procedure. Owners are responsible for the additional fees to the contractor for this service.
Contact a listed veterinary hospital before booking your flight to see if they are able to perform the inspection. (See Checklist above)
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Pets from Areas Exempted from Rabies Quarantine
(British Isles, Australia, Guam and New Zealand)
For pets arriving from exempt areas follow:
Note for Guam: See FORMS section below for the Affidavit for Export from Guam to Hawai‘i.
► INFORMATION AND FAQS
- Hawai‘i Rabies Quarantine Information Brochure (Updated 8/2019) This brochure contains important information about pre-arrival requirements, quarantine station location and contacts, procedures, policies, rules, operations and fees.
- Frequently Asked Questions[Rev. 08/18]
- Frequently Asked Questions for 5 Day Or Less Quarantine Program [Rev. 8/2018]
- Map to Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (Honolulu International Airport)
- Direct Airport Release Security Advisory
- IMPORTANT!
Pet owners are responsible for transporting all pets released from the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (AAQHF) to their vehicles or the Interisland 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. Due to limitations in inter-island service on the weekend, pets arriving on Thursday or Friday may not be transferred to satellite quarantine stations and approved hospitals on the neighbor islands until the following Monday.
► FORMS
- Dog and Cat Import Form [AQS-279], Rev. 1/24 – One completed form per pet is required to be submitted along with all pre-arrival documents (Two rabies vaccination certificates, health certificate, pre-payments made payable to: Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture) NO LESS THAN 10 DAYS BEFORE PET ARRIVES IN HAWAII TO QUALIFY FOR 5 DAY OR LESS or AIRPORT RELEASE. If the health certificate cannot be sent 10 days before arriving with the rest of the documents, the original must be given to the inspector upon arrival in Hawaii.
- List of Approved Veterinary Hospitals [AQS-20 updated 06/18]
- Breed Code Listing and Color Code Listing [AQS-66]
- Intermediate Handlers [Rev. 8/2024] List of registered private individuals or organizations that may be contracted with for fee as intermediate handlers to assist in the interstate and inter-island shipping of pets.
- Summary For Veterinarians [AQS-39, Rev. 8/19] Summary for veterinarians of health certification, microchip, rabies vaccination intervals, OIE-FAVN test and waiting periods requirements of the 5 Day Or Less program.
- List of Acceptable Tick Treatments
- For pets arriving from Guam, Affidavit for Export From Guam to the State of Hawaii [IC-5] is required.
OIE-FAVN Testing Forms
All posted laboratory fees and documents are subject to change by the laboratory without notice. Make sure “HAWAII” is listed as the Destination on the FAVN lab submission form for Kansas State University, DOD Lab, Auburn University and the University of Missouri.
-
OIE-FAVN testing laboratories are experiencing longer than usual processing times. Test results may be delayed between 1 to 2 months.
Plan accordingly to avoid:-
Arriving in Hawai‘i without a passing test result;
and/or -
Requesting a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit without a passing test result.
-
Neighbor Island Inspection Permits will not be issued without a confirmed passing FAVN test result.
It is strongly advised that the FAVN test be done well in advance so that a passing FAVN is obtained before requesting a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit. Failing to do so has resulted in pet owners not obtaining a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit in time for their flight.
OIE-FAVN LABORATORIES |
Kansas State University Veterinary Diagnostic LaboratoryKSU “Micro Screen Rabies Screen Test” also known as “Micro RFFIT” and “MRS” IS NOT ACCEPTED! |
Auburn UniversityContact Auburn University for information on tests, fees, sample submission, etc. at: |
University of Missouri, Veterinary Medical Diagnostic LaboratoryUniversity of Missouri, Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab |
DOD Laboratory (Department of Defense)
|
Request for Electronic Microchip
The State of Hawai‘i will only provide microchips for requests outside of the 50 States of the United States.
Request For Electronic Microchip for Foreign Countries [aqs-73.pdf, Rev. 07/03]
For pets arriving from Guam see required affidavit for export IC-5 in the preceding “Forms” section.
► OIE-FAVN TEST RESULTS
Pets owners do not need to present a hard copy of test results to the Rabies Quarantine Branch, as KSU and DOD will send results directly if “Hawaii” is listed as the destination on the lab submission form. Owners can obtain pre-arrival OIE- FAVN test results from the veterinarian that submitted the sample or on the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture website (see below). Please do not call laboratories directly for test results!
For those qualifying for the direct release or 5 Day Or Less you may check online for your pre-test results and when the 30-day waiting period will be completed:
- To check your pet’s OIE-FAVN tests results, click HERE
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Guide & Service Dogs
For information on requirements for allowing guide dogs and service dogs to enter Hawai‘i without quarantine click HERE .
NOTE: Effective January 1, 2019, it is a violation of state law to misrepresent an animal as a service animal. Under the new law, civil penalties may be assessed.
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If you have questions after reviewing our brochure and forms, please contact us at:
- Email: [email protected]
- Animal Quarantine Station phone: (808) 483-7151 (Due to the large volume of calls and the time zone difference, the best way to contact us is via the email address above.)
- or you may contact our quarantine office at this address:
Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture
Animal Quarantine Station
99-951 Hālawa Valley Street
ʻAiea, Hawaiʻi 96701
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