Rule changes make travel easier for pets

By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Salt Lake resident Cheryl Lenart has had her two dogs vaccinated for rabies for a vacation to Chicago.

Cheryl Lenart, owner of Maddie, left, and Kaydie, is looking forward to taking her pets on a vacation to Chicago. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

But Gerri Cadiz, president of the Hawaiian Kennel Club, the state's largest kennel club, said a $165 re-entry fee per animal and other travel costs will make taking animals on a Mainland vacation too expensive.

Those were some of the reactions yesterday to Gov. Linda Lingle signing administrative rules easing quarantine requirements starting June 30.

Not only will military personnel and others moving here from the Mainland be able to avoid a 120-day quarantine, but Hawai'i residents for the first time can take their pets out of state without having to worry about a long and costly quarantine upon their return.

For pets prequalified to go home straight from the airport, the wait to go home could be as little as two hours after the plane touches down, according to state veterinarian Dr. James Foppoli, who explained the changes to the state House Committee on Agriculture yesterday.

The rules for pets entering the state for the first time and returning Hawai'i pets are identical.

The animals can be spared a 30- or 120-day quarantine with an electronic microchip implantation, two rabies vaccinations between 90 days and 18 months before arrival, and a rabies blood test with a waiting period from 120 days and 18 months prior to entry.

Up to five days of quarantine could be required if the proper clearance is not received at least 10 days before arrival. A longer quarantine will be required if it turns out the pets did not meet qualifications.

The rules could become even less stringent for Hawai'i pet owners.

Foppoli said that he will go before the Board of Agriculture on July 8 to propose further changes to the administrative rules that will include eliminating the 120-day waiting period for animals that have been in Hawai'i for at least six months.

"The reason for that waiting period is to try to pick up animals that may be incubating rabies," he said. "Since we don't have rabies in Hawai'i, then you don't need a 120-day waiting period to pick up incubating animals."

According to Foppoli, the rules could be further amended to have reduced fees for pets who have been processed once at the $165 rate.

Changes to the administrative rules will take five or six months to implement, he said.

The vice chairman of the agriculture panel, Rep. Alex Sonson, D-35th (Waipahu, Crestview), noted that it could take at least seven months of advance preparation to travel with a pet that has never been vaccinated against rabies, nine months for a newborn kitten or 10 months for a brand-new puppy.

Because rabies has not been introduced in Hawai'i, many owners do not have their pets vaccinated, but veterinarian clinics reached yesterday said that they were not concerned that increased demand for the rabies shot would exceed supply.

Cadiz, the kennel club president, said she did not expect the rule changes to translate into a huge jump in the number of dog owners traveling to or from Hawai'i for competitions.

Her six cocker spaniels compete in Hawai'i, but she doesn't plan to fly them to other shows.

"Even for one dog to go to a Mainland show is an expensive venture," she said. "It's not something that's going to happen all the time, and vice versa, we're not going to have a lot of people flying over from the Mainland to be in our shows."

The primary factor is cost, she said. In addition to the $165 re-entry fee, some airlines charge up to $250 to fly an animal one way.

"Many of us go to the shows without dogs, to see the Mainland dogs or to learn more about our breed," she said. "To take the dog with you is going to be a big expense."

But Miyasato, who competes in the Hawaiian Kennel Club show, has flown his dog to three or four competitions despite the cost and the 30-day quarantine upon return.

"It's really expensive," he said, ticking off $655 for quarantine, $75 for each flight, not to mention airfare and someone to stay with the dog in quarantine.

"I like showcasing my dog, and he's of real good quality," he said. However, he said he was not likely to bring his dog on vacation.

A vacation in Chicago is exactly what Lenart, owner of the Yuppie Puppie Grooming Salon, is planning for her miniature Schnauzer and West Highland terrier. However, she can only fit one of the dogs in a bag under her seat — which would allow it to travel for free.

"During the summertime, I some times take two to three weeks off," she said. "I hate to be separated from the dogs for too long."

Lenart agreed that taking dogs on vacation will be an expensive venture that won't happen often, especially on short trips.

She also noted that on certain kinds of trips, pets could be an inconvenience.

Nevertheless, Lenart was excited about the rule change, because it means that she can take her pets to family reunions.

"I would love to bring my animals with me," Lenart said.

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.

Correction: Quarantine fees in the chart were incorrect in a previous version of this story.