PCSing with Pets: Getting Started

Aloha and welcome! If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve just received your orders to Hawaii – Congratulations! – and while you have plenty of reasons to be excited, you’re probably also feeling a little overwhelmed. Specifically, you’re wondering how you’re going to navigate the process of bringing your beloved pets with you to the island.  Have no fear –  you’ve come to the right place!

Any PCS is stressful but moving to an island with several layers of additional regulations (e.g. animal quarantine periods, rabies tests, etc.) comes with a whole new level of stress. Thankfully, we are here to help make the process a little easier for you!

There’s no denying that bringing your pets to Hawaii can be time-consuming and expensive. But here’s our advice: start early and budget! If you give yourself plenty of time and stay organized, it is entirely possible to get your pets to the island without a quarantine period.

Click here for our free Hawaii Pet PCS Guide: Getting Started packet.

What is the Hawaii Animal Quarantine?

If you are just starting the process of bringing your pet to Hawaii, you may be thinking “What the heck is the point of all these hoops we have to jump through?!” The purpose of the Animal Quarantine is to ensure that all pets coming to the island are healthy, registered, and rabies-free. Currently, there is no rabies whatsoever on the island, and they want to keep it that way! 

Your pet can qualify for one of several programs, but you will most likely want to aim for Direct Airport Release with no quarantine. Why? Not only is it safer and less stressful for your pet, but it’s also far less expensive than having to quarantine your pet on the island. Don’t believe us? As of August 21, 2019, the fees are as follows:

Direct Airport Release (no quarantine period) – $185

5 Day or Less Quarantine – $244

120 Day Quarantine – $1,080

Source: Dog & Cat Import Form AQS-279

If you follow the steps properly, and submit all paperwork and payments correctly and on-time, you may qualify for Direct Airport Release. However, if you make any mistakes on the paperwork, are missing any forms, or are late turning anything in, there may be a required quarantine period. So be sure to take the time to be extra diligent with all of your paperwork and payments.

When do I need to start?

The earlier the better! Of course, your exact timeline may vary, but if possible, we recommend starting the process 4-6 months before your move. This will give you time to make corrections if anything goes wrong, and to stay on track in case of delays. However, if you are only starting a few months before your move date, DO NOT PANIC! There is still a good chance you will be able to avoid or minimize the quarantine period.

If you are moving to Hawaii with little to no notice, you can still bring your pet, but they may be subject to quarantine at the Hawaii Animal Quarantine Station for up to 120 days. The step that is most likely to cause delays is the OIE-FAVN Rabies Antibody Test. This test is required by the State of Hawaii to avoid quarantine upon arrival to the island. It can take weeks or even months to process, so get this started ASAP! See our post on the rabies test for more information!

Download our quick-reference, printable Hawaii pet import guide here.

Gather information and get organized.

Once you have the most time-critical part (the rabies test) out of the way, take your time to gather information and get organized. You do not want any surprises a couple of weeks or days before your flight or – heaven forbid – arrive on the island to discover you missed a crucial step. We highly recommend using your vet as a resource for helpful information and advice. They are very likely to be knowledgeable on PCSing with pets, and can offer tips and guidance along the way. You can check out my Hawaii PCS Pet Checklist for a summary, but it is also important to review the Hawaii state sources for the complete details. 

First, familiarize yourself with the requirements straight from the source – Hawaii Rabies Quarantine Information Brochure. We’ll warn you – the brochure is unnecessarily long and redundant, but it is important to read through it at least once to understand the process from start to finish. Just a little hint: You most likely will be looking at Checklist 1 (Coming from off-island to O’ahu). 

Second, take the time to review the Hawaii Dog & Cat Import Form AQS-279 to see which documents and information will need to be submitted, and when. 

Third, research your airline’s pet policies to find out their specific requirements. For example, for Hawaiian Airlines, you need a copy of the health certificates for both any pets traveling with you.

Takeaway

It is entirely possible to get your pet to Hawaii without a quarantine period, and without pulling out all your hair. Be sure to start early, get organized, and read the relevant resources carefully. But hey… you’re here, so you’re already on the right track!

Aloha and thank you for reading! Comment below with your experience PCSing your pet to Hawaii. We want to hear all about it! Have questions? Feel free to message us – we don’t bite!

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