Animal Quarantine Branch
Prevents the introduction of rabies to Hawaii, a rabies-free state.
Information brochure and forms available.
The Animal Quarantine Branch has the mission of preventing the entry
of rabies into the State of Hawaii. Hawaii historically has never had
an indigenous case of rabies and the State operates a quarantine of all
dogs, cats, and other carnivores, to maintain a rabies-free
status.
The rabies quarantine program was established in 1912 when the disease
was declared endemic in the State of California and it was feared that
carnivorous animals imported from that state could transmit the disease
to Hawaii. The program began as a 120-day quarantine and in 1997, a
30-day quarantine alternate program was approved.
A Five-day-or-less quarantine went into effect on June 30,
2003. This quarantine program allows pets to be directly released
at the airport if the pet owner follows strict procedures prior to the
pet's arrival in Hawaii. It takes at least four months to qualify
an adult pet that has had at least one rabies vaccination. It
takes at least 10 months to qualify a newborn puppy or kitten for this
program.
The only exceptions made to the quarantine are for animals originating
from other rabies-free areas that have prevention, control and
surveillance methods that are equal to or more strict than those of
Hawaii. At the present time, the only areas judged to meet these
criteria are the British Isles, Australia, Guam and New Zealand.
Animals that are native or have resided in these areas for six months
prior to travel, and who meet strict transportation requirements are
allowed into Hawaii without quarantine.
For more details on moving to Hawaii with your family dog or cat, click here to
link to the Animal Quarantine Information webpage.