Updated May 25, 2023

To many people, pets are family. That’s why, when you’re moving to Hawaiʻi, it’s important to be able to take your dogs, cats, and other pets to your new home.

Moving pets to Hawaiʻi can be a little tricky. Because it’s the only state in the U.S. that’s rabies free, the Hawaiian Islands have very strict protocols for bringing in cats, dogs, and other domesticated animals. Additionally, because of the islands’ unique and delicate ecosystem, some animals are entirely restricted.

To help you understand the process for moving your pets to Hawaiʻi, we put together this guide. We’ll connect you with the forms, checklists, information, and resources you need to get your whole family to Hawaiʻi, quickly, safely, and easily.

In This Article:

Step 1: Verify That Your Pet Is a “Go” for Hawaiʻi

Step 2: Preparing for the Right Quarantine Program
Step 3: Prepare Your Pet for the Trip

Quarantine Exceptions

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I Bring My Dog If I Move to Hawaiʻi?
  • Can I Move My Cats to Hawai’i?
  • How Many Cats Can You Own in Hawaiʻi?
  • Is There a Limit to How Many Dogs You Can Have in Hawaiʻi?
  • Do Cats Have to Quarantine When Moving to Hawaiʻi?
  • How Hard Is It to Bring a Dog to Hawaiʻi?
  • Which Airlines Allow Cats in the Cabin to Hawaiʻi?
  • How Can I Avoid Pet Quarantine in Hawaiʻi?
  • How Much Does It Cost to Fly a Dog to Hawaiʻi?
  • Why Are Hawaiʻi’s Rules for Pets So Different?

STEP 1: Verify That Your Pet Is a “Go” for Hawaiʻi

You might be surprised to know that some common pets in the United States are not allowed in Hawaiʻi. For example, several types of birds, snakes, and hamsters are on the no-go list. Guinea pigs, however, are welcome in Hawaiʻi.

Before you go through the importation process, you’ll want to verify that your pet will be allowed in the state. Importing an illegal animal carries a penalty of up to three years in prison and fines up to $500,000, so you’ll want to be 100% certain before bringing your pet with you.

Pets Who Get the Green Light: In general, you’re allowed to bring domesticated dogs and cats to Hawaiʻi, as long as they are not cross-bred with a wild animal, such as a cat cross-bred with a lynx or wolf-dog crossbreeds.

In addition to dogs and cats, you’re also allowed to bring pets like guinea pigs, chinchillas, and several varieties of parrots. If you have any questions, check the official list of conditionally-approved animals from the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture.

Pets Who Get the Red Light: If you’re bringing something more exotic than a Fluffy or a Fido into Hawaiʻi, make sure to review the list of prohibited pet imports, which forbids:

  •  Caribbean hermit crabs (Coenobita clypeatus)
  • All types of snakes
  • Porcupines
  • Hamsters (or any members of the family Cricetidae)
  • Geckos
  • Snapping turtles
  • Toucans
  • Pregnant animals

Pets Who Get the Yellow Light: Although not restricted from entry, some types of pets may require some extra consideration on your part.

  • Puppies and kittens: Due to the minimum amount of time needed to prepare a puppy or kitten to meet the requirements of the 5 Day or Less quarantine program, a puppy or kitten will be about six months of age by the time preparations are completed. Puppies and kittens not able to meet all of the requirements for the 5 Day or Less program will be quarantined for 120 days. (More on the different types of quarantine programs in the next section!)
  • Older animals may not respond well to the stress of traveling. Additionally, pets who do not handle a tropical climate well may not be good candidates for Hawaiʻi.

Once you’re sure your pet is cleared for conditional import to Hawaiʻi, you’ll want to check the requirements for importing your pet:

Domesticated Animals | Non-Domestic/Uncommon Animals

Dogs and cats are the most common pets our customers inquire about. We’ll walk you through their Hawaiʻi import requirements next.

STEP 2:

Prepare for the Right Quarantine Program for Your Dog or Cat

If you’re moving your dog or cat to Hawaiʻi, there are two main programs – 120 Day Quarantine or Direct Release.

Full 120-Day Quarantine

If your pet falls under this program, you’ll likely have many questions, including: How should I prepare my pet? What will quarantine be like? Where will my pet be kept? The Hawaiʻi Rabies Quarantine Information Brochure offers answers to these common questions—and more. Start on page 31 for information specific to this program.

One of the biggest questions many pet owners have is: Can I visit my pet during quarantine on Oahu? Absolutely! During the quarantine period, you can visit your pet on:

  • Tuesdays and Thursdays: 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Wednesdays: 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Saturdays and Sundays: 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

No visits are allowed on Mondays, Fridays, or state holidays.

Direct Airport Release and 5-Day or Less Quarantine

Pets who qualify for Direct Airport Release can leave the airport with their owners once they pass an entry inspection.

If for some reason, owners can’t pick up their pets immediately after the inspection—or if there’s a glitch in the paperwork that can be resolved quickly—the pets may go into the 5-Day or Less quarantine program. Once the owners can pick up their pets, or resolve the issues, the pets will be released.

You’ll find all the checklists to qualify for this program below, based on your origin and destination points.

If your pet is NOT located in Hawaiʻi:

If you live in Hawaiʻi and you want to take your pet to the mainland and then return, there’s a different set of requirements for you to follow:

To spec out the cost for each program, check the official Animal Quarantine Information page. (And don’t forget to factor in the airline’s fees when putting your budget together!) To give you an overall sense of what’s required, we’ve included an overview of the process if you’re headed from a mainland destination to Oʻahu:

STEP 3:

Prepare Your Pet for the Trip to Hawaiʻi

The flight to Hawaiʻi has been known to test even the hardiest of road warriors. Considering you’re looking at a minimum flight time of five hours—and that’s just the time in the air—you’ll need to do some preparation to make sure your cat or dog is ready for the trip.

Below, you’ll find six tips to help you and your pet travel to Hawaiʻi with maximum ease.

Reserve Pet-Friendly Accommodations in Hawai'i

Maybe this sounds obvious. But given how many details go into this process, we wouldn’t want this one to slip through the cracks. When it’s time to retrieve your pet in Hawaiʻi, you’ll need a pet-friendly place to take them. If you need temporary lodgings in Hawaiʻi that accept pets, check out this list from BringFido.com.

Help Your Pet Get Cozy with Their Kennel or Crate

If your pet isn’t already used to the kennel or crate they’ll travel in, it’s important to establish it as a safe space they’re familiar with. A few weeks before your trip, make it a part of the landscape of your house. Put some comfy bedding inside, and give your pets treats or meals inside their kennel or crate. That way, they’ll feel comfortable and familiar with it when it’s time to travel.

If you have a dog, consider going down the full-blown crate training route. Then, on travel day, it will feel natural for them to hop inside.

Give Your Dog Plenty of Chances to Be Active Before the Trip

A tired dog is a happy dog. Make sure your dog gets some good physical exercise before your trip, either the day before or the morning of. For particularly active cats, you might want to engage in some play time before your trip so your cat is calm and relaxed when it’s go time.

Give Your Pet One Last Chance to Relieve Themselves

At the last possible moment, give your pet the opportunity to relieve themselves. This might be right before check-in, or it might be in a pet relief area in the airport.

Cat owners, you might have to get creative! One option might be to carry some litter in a Tupperware container and dump all or part of it once your cat has used it. Either way, it’s going to be a long flight, so your furry friend needs one last opportunity to do their business.

Include Something Familiar

Even though your crate or kennel should already be familiar, it can only help to include something else that reminds them of home: a beloved blanket, a comforting stuffed animal, or a favorite toy. Just make sure the item doesn’t present a choking hazard during the long flight.

Keep Yourself Calm

Have you ever noticed your pet tuning into your mood? You’ll likely be more nervous than them on travel day, and you don’t want that anxiety to rub off. Take a deep breath, offer reassuring words and sounds to your pet, and trust that the journey will be more than worth it. After all, you’re all headed to paradise—together!

Are There Any Exceptions to These Quarantine Rules? 

Yes—in two cases:

#1: Dogs and cats from specific rabies-free countries— including Australia, New Zealand, the British Isles, and Guam—on a direct flight to Hawaiʻi do not require an import permit number, which means they do not need to complete the standard requirements. However, they do need to complete this checklist.

#2: Service and guide dogs have modified quarantine requirements for entering the State of Hawaiʻi. You can find more information about service and guide dogs entering Hawaiʻi on the Animal Industry Division website.

Note: On January 1, 2019, a Hawaiʻi law went into effect that makes it illegal to knowingly misrepresent an animal as a service animal. Violators may be subject to civil penalties. 

 

What Do I Do If I Have More Questions?

A moving company is likely to have some expertise in this arena. However, when it comes to something as important as a member of your family, we recommend going straight to the source.

To contact the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture on matters related to quarantine/import of cats and dogs:

  • Email: rabiesfree@hawaii.gov
  • Call: 808-483-7151

Due to the volume of calls and the time zone difference, the department recommends using their email address to reach out. Additionally, email will offer you a paper trail in case there are any disputes over who said what during your conversations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, as long as you follow the procedures laid out by the State of Hawaiʻi Animal Industry Division for importing your dog to Hawaiʻi. You’ll need to 1) ensure that your dog is microchipped, 2) get your dog fully vaccinated for rabies, 3) complete a FAVN rabies antibody test, 4) finish out the waiting period, and 5) submit the correct paperwork to successfully import your dog to the state.

Yes, although you’ll need to go through the official process from the State of Hawaiʻi Animal Industry Division for importing your cat to Hawaiʻi. It will involve 1) making sure your cat is microchipped, 2) getting them vaccinated against rabies, 3) working with your vet to get a FAVN rabies antibody test, 4) going through a waiting period, and 5) submitting the correct paperwork.

There are no state or local limits in terms of the number of cats you can keep in your home in Hawaiʻi.

That said, if you’re moving to Hawaiʻi, know that pet-friendly rentals can be hard to find. (Even where cats are concerned!) Make sure you have pet-friendly housing lined up before you make the move.

Although there is no state law regarding the number of dogs in a household, the island of Oʻahu has a limit in place. Additionally, two other islands have licensing requirements:

  • City & County of Honolulu (Oʻahu) – Maximum of 10 dogs (four months or older) per household. Dogs must be microchipped. There’s also a two-chicken limit for each household, FYI.
  • Maui County – No limit, although the county does require dogs older than four months to have a dog license.
  • Hawaiʻi County (Big Island) – No limit, although dogs older than three months must have a dog license.
  • Kauaʻi County – There’s no limit on the number of dogs, but dogs must be microchipped. No license is required.

It depends. If you’re able to complete all of the requirements from the State of Hawaiʻi Animal Industry Division, your cat may be eligible for direct airport release. In other words, they’ll be able to come home with you the same day you land.

However, if you’re not able to meet the requirements, your cat may have to quarantine for a few days—or for the whole 120-day quarantine period.

We’d call the process challenging, but it’s certainly not impossible. To bring your dog to Hawaiʻi, you’ll need to make a few visits to your vet, pay for a FAVN rabies antibody test, wait for the results, and file your paperwork. If all goes well, you may even be able to take your dog home the same day you land.

Before 1997, all animals arriving in Hawaiʻi were required to make a mandatory four-month quarantine in a state facility. These new regulations are much easier on pets and pet owners alike, although they do require some attention to detail.

Follow the checklists carefully, and you’ll be good to go.

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines both allow cats and dogs in the cabin, with some restrictions. Check the airlines’ websites for all the details to ensure that your route allows for cats in the cabin.

If you’re able to follow the requirements for Hawaiʻi’s Direct Airport Release program, your pet should be able to avoid quarantine. If all goes well, they’ll be released to you at the airport when you arrive.

You can also avoid pet quarantine if:

In terms of airline fees, Hawaiian Airlines charges $225 for pets traveling as checked baggage between North America and Hawaiʻi and $125 if they travel in the cabin between North America and Hawaiʻi.

 

Alaska Airlines charges $150 for pets traveling as checked baggage or $100 if they travel in the cabin.

 

Keep in mind that you’ll have other expenses on top of these airline fees:

  • You’ll need to pay your veterinarian for the exams, tests, and paperwork required for entry.
  • You’ll also need to pay the program fees for the entry program you choose:
    • Direct Airport Release: $185
    • 5 Day or Less: $244
    • If your pet is quarantined, you’ll be assessed $14.30 each day in addition to the $244 program fee.
  • Finally, if you’re clearing your pet on an island other than Oʻahu, you’ll also need to pay for the Neighbor Island Inspection Permit ($165) and you’ll also need to pay the private veterinary facility that will assist with clearance.

 

In other words, the costs can add up, so plan your budget carefully.

Even though Hawaiʻi is part of the United States, its unique position in the Pacific Ocean has endowed with it a diverse ecosystem. As a result, Hawaiʻi is home to many endemic species you won’t find anywhere else. In order to protect those species, Hawaiʻi has restrictions around the kinds of pets you can bring to the state.

Additionally, there’s one thing you won’t find on any of the Hawaiian Islands: rabies. As such, pets in Hawaiʻi are not required to be vaccinated. A single case of rabies could create a catastrophic event for the island, spoiling so much of the natural beauty so many visitors and residents love.

As a result, the state has established a quarantine program for incoming cats and dogs, one that’s paid for by the owners of these pets.

We’ll walk you through how the program works. But, first, if you’re considering bringing in a pet that’s not a cat or a dog, you’ll want to make sure your pet is eligible to join you in Hawaiʻi.

Moving Your Whole Family with Ease

Once you understand the procedures for clearing your pets into Hawaiʻi—and you have all the checklists you’ll need to complete the right paperwork—your task gets easier. Now, it’s just a matter of working with your vet to gather what you need so every member of your family (even the four-legged ones!) can join you on your Hawaiʻi adventure.

Have other questions about moving to Hawaiʻi? We’d be happy to help! While we don’t move pets, after 35+ years of moving families in, around, and to the Hawaiian Islands, it’s safe to see we’ve seen it all and moved it all. Just reach out to us and let us know how we can help!

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