Moving to Hawaii with pets - 5 day or less program

[Eva]

Has anyone moved to Hawaii with pets and done the 5 day or less program?

I'm trying to plan ahead so our next move will have as little unneeded stress as possible. I've looked on the department of agriculture website and have seen all of the checklists and understand what paper work and tests I need to get done, for the most part. But I was wondering about specific things. Like.... 

1.) You need the original rabies certificates from the vet with the original vet signature. If my vet gave me a copy does that mean I have to go get the one with the real signature?

2.) My dog and cat have gone to a few different vets, obviously, we have to move a fair amount (navy life). Do I have to have each vet sign their health certificate or just the one who provided their most recent vaccines?

Any advice or help will be appreciated. I want to make this as painless for the dog and cat as possible, by avoiding quarantine if at all possible.

Thanks!

[Fur&FeathersDVM]

I have not personally moved to Hawaii and done the five day or less program, however I am a veterinarian and have helped many military families with the paperwork since I am also a navy spouse. :)

1. This depends on what copy you are talking about. For example, when I do a rabies certificate, I provide the owner with one of the carbon copies from the original certificate. This carbon copy is valid for use because it carries a direct imprint of my signature. However, if someone were to photocopy it and make a copy that way, the photocopy is not valid because it does not carry my direct imprinted signature. Make sense? So if the vet gave you either the certificate they filled out or one of the original carbon copies that is fine. If not, you need to get one of those from them or from the county with which the rabies certificate is filed.

2. The health certificate is done by the veterinarian who is examining that pet within the 14 day window of arrival to Hawaii. So, this means that sometime in the 14 days prior to your pets arriving in Hawaii, they need to be examined by a veterinarian who will then fill out that health certificate. They don't necessarily need to be the one who gave the vaccine, as long as they have the vaccine records with the information needed for the health certificate (rabies vaccine name, lot or serial number, how long it's good for, vaccine date and expiration date- those should all be listed on the rabies certificate) and the vet's signature on the certificate or the contact info for the hospital that gave it in order to verify that the vaccine was given.

Just something else to keep in mind- in addition to the rabies vaccines, you MUST have the rabies OIE-FAVN blood test done after getting an ISO microchip in your pet! That test must be at the lab no later than 120 days prior to your pet arriving in Hawaii. I only say this because it's a very costly test and I have seen people go to vets who weren't sure of the order of things to be done and spend hundreds of dollars on the test... only to have to run it again because the microchip was placed after the test was pulled.   Also be sure that they write the microchip information on the paperwork for the test- the test is invalid if it does not have the pet's microchip number on it.  They also need to put Hawaii on it as the destination. Just some things to keep in mind. :)

Also- if the base you are stationed at prior to your move has a base veterinarian, they are a wonderful resource to utilize.  They do this sort of thing all the time.

One last thing- while the website is often updated, I do always recommend contacting the department of agriculture in Hawaii directly to be sure you have the most up to date requirements. They change frequently! I check every time I help a client with this- even if I just did one the day before.  There is no guarantee that what's true today is going to be true tomorrow- so PLEASE double check everything with as many people as you can! Check with the department of ag, check with the vet who's doing your paperwork, check with the airline, etc.

Good luck with your move! I have seen lots of people avoid quarantine entirely for their pets so it is very possible as long as you complete the checklist!

[Eva]

Thank you!!!!!