The decision to take Frankie and Candy Darling to Hawaii was a no brainer. The thought never ever crossed my mind to leave them behind. But, if you've ever had pets and have traveled with them via ground or air, you know it's not a simple feat, especially if they're cats. I've done both: four felines by ground and two by air, each with totally different temperaments. Dogs, I'm sure are easier. At least you can walk them around to do their thing and you can let them sit beside you in a moving vehicle. Cats, our cats, do not like moving vehicles, nor are they or will they ever be trained to do so. I don't walk them on a leash, either, they're cats, for heaven's sake. My cats remain in a carrier from point A to point B, or the first place they'll want to go hide and remain is under the seat your of your car~out of site, where there's always a fair amount of grease from the seat's track. Not a good idea if you're traveling across country in a 5 ton truck! Moving on...
Hawaii is a rabies-free state. There are very, very, very strict rules and guidelines that must be precisely followed, in order for your pet to be allowed and released in the state of Hawaii. The Hawaii Rabies Quarantine Law, since 1912, is "designed to protect residents and pets from potentially serious health problems associated with the introduction and spread of rabies". I primarily think it's a good law, however, it's so intense and intimidating that it may be enforced just to NOT have people bring more pets to the islands, although the pet quarantine system has become less strict since 2003.
So if anyone reading this portion of my blog, is considering bringing their pet(s) to Hawaii:read on!
The FIRST thing I did was read and print out any and all information regarding:
- bringing pets to Hawaii
- new rules and summary
- pet information
- animal quarantine information
- checklist for 5-day-or-less program
- Hawaii rabies quarantine info brochure (24 pages)
- animal quarantine FAQ
- 5-day-or-less quarantine program FAQ
- department of agriculture (State of Hawaii) dog & cat form(s)
- department of agriculture (State of Hawaii) approved animal hospitals
- breed code list
- color code list
- list of intermediate handlers
I read and re-read all of the above information at least one hundred, if not two hundred times! It made my head spin, gave me knots in my stomach and thought to myself that this would present the biggest challenge. I could not afford to make any kind of error when it came time to meeting the requirements for importing the cats. I started a notebook and made dividers for each topic. I also added an "examination" section for each visit to the vet at the end of the notebook. It includes all examination paperwork and payments, rabies certificates, schedule for follow-up exams/vaccines, copy of "Request For FAVN-OIE Rabies Antibody Test" and copy of facsimile transmittal sheet, micro-chipping documentation and registration receipt, import/export forms with payments sent by certified mail, pet carrier receipt and ALL correspondence I had between the Hawaii Animal Quarantine people (which I also cc'd my vet on) and myself. I also kept ALL information in regards to airline rules and regulations and any verbal correspondence I had with them. It's very important to always write down the name(s) of people you speak with via phone. I will tell you why, when the time comes.
Of second importance is to find the right veterinarian. I went with a new one, this time around. New kittens, new vet. I went with my gut instinct NOT to use the same (recommended) vet I originally had, with my previous two cats~Barney, 19 years and Baby Girl, 5 years. Both are deceased now. Baby Girl died 3 months after Barney. My intuition was that something was not right with this vet and his assistant, who sorta resembled Lurch, was a bit strange. It creeped me out and I never went back after the the cats were cremated. Do your research. Find the right veterinarian who has had experience with pets being exported. Is informative so that you understand every single procedure in the examination room, to guide you and explain to you what the next steps are up to the final examination.
I found an amazing veterinarian, Dr. John S. Kim, D.V.M. of Edgewater Animal Hospital. He is amazing and so are his staff, Maria, who assists Dr. Kim on most of our examinations/visits and there's Donna, who is the receptionist. They are each very thorough and mindful of their work. The hospital is clean and not cluttered with a bunch of stuff laying around. They have a great painting of a cat that was done by Warhol on the wall. I chose Dr. Kim, not only because of his credentials, but because he truly has a great love of animals and their well being~to keep them healthy in their lifetime. He is thoughtful and considerate of your pets and you. He takes the time to explain every procedure and why it is done. If the pet will feel any discomfort, how long it will be. He asks you if you have any questions? If you do, it is not an inconvenience to give you an answer. If he's not sure, he will make sure that he has an answer for you. Nothing is laborious. It is a labor of love. Thank god, for that! I am ever so grateful, to Dr. Kim.
Third, looking into all the airlines going to Honolulu and reviewing flight rules and regulations about traveling with pets, I decided to go with Hawaiian Airlines. Hawaiian Airlines had the best prices for a one way tickets on the day it would be convenient for me. They also were able to accommodate Frankie and Candy Darling on the same flight and in one carrier. I made numerous phone calls to double check and make sure what they had on-line corresponded to what is factual. DO NOT go by what is on-line. Always, always, always talk to an airline representative.
to be continued...
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