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Moving Your Pets to Maui

Maui Pet Immigration Guide

Moving to Maui wouldn’t be complete for many without the company of their furry friend. Whether you have a cat, a dog, or both, there are strict Hawai’i quarantine laws you must abide by. While the requirements may seem overwhelming, with the proper preparation of planning and time, the transition can ensure to be an easy one for both you and your pet.

Hawai’i is rabies­free state and on a tropical island like Maui, an introduction of this disease could quickly spread through such a small area and potentially devastate our population. As a means of protection the Hawai’i Department of Agriculture has set in place particular guidelines to follow. Here is a link to their website, which will be most helpful in answering questions on the exact types of animals that are allowed to be imported into the State: Importing Animals to Hawai’i from the U.S. Mainland http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/pi/pq/travel-shipping-information/importing-animals-to-hawai%CA%BBi-from-the-u-s-mainland/

Over the past decade, the quarantine law, which once required that your dog be quarantined in Honolulu for up to 120 days, has since changed for the better. This change is now referred to as the “5 ­Day ­or ­Less Program”, and if completed correctly allows your animal to be released from the airport within one hour of arrival.

Preparing your animal for the 5­ day ­or ­less program does take some time and money, but it is worth the extra effort. From start to finish the process takes a little over 4 months to complete and requires a few trips to the veterinarian for rabies test, microchip insertion, blood work, and a health certificate.

If you are unable to comply with the requirements needed for the 5­day­or­less program, your pet will ultimately have to be held in quarantine for 120 days upon arrival to Hawai’i.

The following website outlines the checklist necessary in making the arrival of your pets arrival and subsequent release quite seamless: Checklist for 5­Day­or­Less Program <http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/files/2013/01/aqs­checklist­5DOL.pdf>

The Hawaii Animal Quarantine Station can be reached at:

• Phone: (808) 483­7151
• Email: rabiesfree@hawaii.gov
• Website: http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/info

Another important factor to consider is that each airline has different policies and parameters for traveling with your pets. Weight restrictions and costs also vary between carriers. Prior to purchasing your ticket, it is a good idea to verify the particular policy to make sure it coincides with your pets quarantine needs.

Just as there are rules and regulations that you must follow to move your pet to Maui, there are many rules and regulations set by condominiums and their respective HOAs (Homeowner’s Associations). If you are considering living in a condominium setting, where there is a managing association, it is necessary to look into these policies. Especially if you are a pet owner, as the stated pet policy may be the primary basis for your decision.

Once you have a perspective HOA that you are considering to reside, get in touch with one of the corresponding officers or designated authorities. They will be able to inform you of the exact policies concerning the association you are inquiring about.

Fortunately there are always exceptions to the rule. Some HOAs that have a no­pet policy often expressly state certain exemptions. For instance, a resident may be allowed to have one “ordinary” pet per unit; a dog or cat, that weighs less than 30 pounds, etc. Also, considering the need for service animals, who are trained to help people who have a variety of physical, psychological or developmental issues. Association’s will generally make the much needed exception for these individuals and their service animals.

Regardless, of where you decide to live here on Maui, all cats and dogs must be registered and licensed with the Maui Humane Society. Below is their contact information where you can obtain proper licensing requirements and the corresponding fees.

Maui Humane Society:

• Phone: (808) 877­3680
• Email: info@MauiHumaneSociety.org
• Website: http://mauihumanesociety.org

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