Bringing Fluffy "Home"
or
Helping You and Your Pet Survive Quarantine

Bringing your pet to Hawai'i is an involved and sometimes confusing process. Since leaving your beloved pet behind is likely out of the question, we at South Shore Veterinary Care can help with our new Quarantine Liaison Service. Now it is possible to have your pet join you right here on Maui, bypassing the Honolulu "stay."

Quarantine Direct Release is Now Available on Maui through South Shore Veterinary Care.

If you are planning to bring your pet when you move to Maui, or if you're a Maui resident wanting to travel with your pet, now you can bring your companion directly home to Maui - without having to stop in Honolulu for inspection and processing. All other requirements for completing quarantine remain in place. However, this new development means you won't need to be separated from your pet any longer than the flight to Maui. To learn more about this time-saving, stress- reducing, money-saving news, contact the South Shore Veterinary Care This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Desiree Devine.

Desiree Devine, our Quarantine Liaison Specialist, knows the ins and outs of the procedure, sparing you the hassle of doing so. The laws have changed significantly over the last two years. What used to take 120 days of separation between you and your pet can now be reduced to 30 days, five days - or no time at all. If you want to streamline the quarantine process and reunite you and your pet on Maui, you owe it to yourself - and your pet to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Or if you are a Maui resident and want to travel abroad with your pet, now you can, more easily than ever before. Desiree can guide you through that process.

There's more good news. Should your pet require a quarantine stay, you'll be glad to know South Shore Veterinary Care is a satellite quarantine station. That means you can visit your pet right here on Maui any time you want.

Click here to complete our simple Quarantine Liaison Information Request form. You will find it an invaluable first step in making through the whole process.

For a beginning overview, review the Frequently Asked Questions to get an idea of what to expect. Then, contact our This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it who can advise you where to start, or help you through the entire process.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Why is there quarantine in Hawai'i?
2. How long does it take?
3. Is there any way to make the time shorter?
4. How much does it cost?
5. Is there any difference between quarantine for cats and quarantine for dogs?
6. Is there quarantine for pet birds?
7. Are there any pets I cannot bring to Hawai'i?
8. Do I have to be or live in Honolulu to receive my pet?
9. Where else in Hawai'i are there quarantine stations?
10. What is the best method for transporting my pet to Hawai'i?
11. What is the South Shore Veterinary Care Quarantine Liaison Service?
12. Will using your service sped up the quarantine process?

ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Hawai'i is the only U.S. state that is rabies-free. It is important that we maintain this status. The introduction of rabies would have dire ramifications, not only for public health, but would have an adverse affect on Hawai'i's unique eco-system, tourism and our local lifestyle. Because Hawai'i is rabies free, resident pets are not required to be vaccinated for rabies. Should rabies become established in the state, animal and human health programs and rabies disease control programs would be very costly for the citizens of the entire state. To prevent rabies from entering the state, the current law requires that dogs, cats and carnivores complete either the 120-day or 30-day rabies quarantine. The law also requires that entire cost of the rabies quarantine program be paid by the users of the quarantine facility. General funds (taxpayer funds) may not be used to run this program.

There is a mandatory 120 day waiting period before you can bring a pet to Hawai'i. However the wait may take place before you come to Hawai'i, allowing you to bypass the “jail” time and bring your pet home sooner.

No. The waiting period is mandatory but it doesn’t have to be done in “prison.” If you plan ahead at least five months in some cases more you can bring your pet straight home to Maui after it is checked out by the state veterinarian in Oahu.

It depends on what type of quarantine you choose to do, you will have to pay the Hawai'i State Department of Agriculture a fee as well as costs for the rabies titer test, airline tickets, a crate and veterinary fees for vaccines and visits.

No. Both of these animal species have to comply with quarantine requirements, as do all carnivores entering Hawai'i.

Many bird species are either prohibited from entry into Hawai'i or may enter under specific conditions. Poultry, birds, day-old chicks and hatching eggs require a Poultry and Bird Import Permit (West Nile Virus Import Permit), through the Livestock Disease Control Branch, Department of Agriculture.

Most birds entering Hawai'i must complete a pre-arrival isolation requirement of seven days (168 hours), within 36 hours of entry, to reduce the chances that a West Nile virus infected bird will be transported to Hawai'i. The exceptions to the seven days pre-arrival isolation requirement are: hatching eggs and day-old birds, chickens, pheasants, quail, chuckers, rock doves (domestic pigeons), and budgerigars, that are older than four weeks.

Yes. There are many animals that can not come to Hawai'i. For a complete list check the State Department of Agriculture web site or if you are unsure email the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

No. Your pet can be picked up in Maui from Oahu by our Quarantine Liaison Service Specialist, Desiree Devine.

There are quarantine stations on other islands and the main station in Oahu. South Shore Veterinary Care is a state-sanctioned, satellite quarantine facility on Maui.

Most airline carriers allow pets to travel for most of the year. Be sure, however, to call the airlines before making your reservations to ensure that they can take your pet.

The South Shore Veterinary Care Quarantine Liaison Service has two parts. First is a consultation which can either be done over the phone or in person at a cost of $35. Our Quarantine Liaison, Desiree Devine, will review all the requirements with you and ensure you are aware of the “fine” print items as well as give you some helpful hints to ease the process. After which you are responsible for the paperwork and quarantine process.
The second is an extended consultation which costs $150. With this service Desiree will ensure that all the quarantine requirements are met and co-ordinate with your veterinarian and the Department of Agriculture to ensure your quarantine process is as painless as possible.

12. Will using the South Shore Veterinary Care Quarantine Liaison Service speed up the quarantine process? top

No. It will, however, ensure that there are no surprises when you arrive in Oahu with your pet. For example there are very specific time requirements on the rabies vaccinations. In a recent case involving Zoe, a yellow lab, Zoe had to spend an additional three months in quarantine because her family didn’t have someone to help her navigate the sea of paperwork associated with quarantine. The peace of mind knowing that someone who is familiar with the quarantine process and who has helped many pets arrive in Maui safely as well as her own is helping you, is worth it.