Step 2 - Microchip and Step 3 OIE-FAVN Rabies Blood Test and Step 4 Waiting. . . .

Aloha, time for some more assistance and advice to anyone trying to move their pets here! Let's continue...

STEP 2 - MICROCHIP

Step 2 is quite simple. Have a microchip implanted in your pet, write down the number, put it in your wallet, in your cell phone, on the crate, scan and rescan it to make sure it works, and have the number handy for your travels and for the paperwork.

STEP 3 - RABIES BLOOD TEST

Don't wait to have this done. This is where things can get complicated if things aren't totally smooth. One of my dogs failed the test and it was a hassle to have him re-vaccinated. We had to make sure the second vaccination was over 90 days from the first one. Luckily he hadn't just been vaccinated at the time of the blood test, but if you are vaccinating for purposes of the test make sure you start early just in case you have to wait another 90 days.

Make sure you look over the vet's shoulder to check all their work. When they send the test to Kansas State (0r DOD), make sure they write "Hawaii" as the destination. This way a copy gets sent to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and your pet's microchip number gets into the system, and you can check their waiting status online.

STEP 4 WAITING PERIOD

The day after the testing laboratory receives the sample is the day the waiting period starts. Your pet can't arrive earlier than 120 days from this date. Also make sure you don't wait more than three years from this date to bring your pet over or you will have to do the test over.

Get a copy of the test and keep it with you. Make sure the microchip number is included and correct. Hawaii should already have a copy by the time you get here, but keep one with you just in case.

You can count the days and figure out the date yourself, but the best source is the Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture website. My vet had the wrong date, I had a different (later) date, go figure. So I used the DOA's date and scheduled the flight a few days later just to be safe. For instructions on how to search for your pet's microchip and eligibility date, see http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/microchip

Aloha for now!