Traveling to mainland with dog (NOT moving, just traveling) (2013, condo)

[xxthinkpinkxo]

Hi everyone, I'm looking for some information about the process to travel with a dog from Hawaii to the mainland. I'm fully aware of the process to move a dog to Hawaii -- I went through all of that earlier this year. However I want to take my dog to the mainland for about two weeks around Christmas. The reason -- it's quite a bit cheaper to do that then pay a sitter $30 to $40 per night to watch her (Alaska is only $100 each way for a dog). But there's very little info online about rules as far as taking a dog from Hawaii to the mainland and then the return process to come back to the state. She's UTD on vaccinations including rabies. She has the Rabies FAVN test on record, too (obviously ).

I'm planning to call the Dept. of Ag but wanted to see if anyone's has done done this? Just looking for some insight as to how easy it is to travel with a dog to the mainland and BACK.

And before people get upset that I'm taking my dog on a plane (I know many people don't condone air travel with a pet) it worked out pretty smoothly for my dog earlier this year when she came over. We booked a direct flight to Seattle and she slept the whole time (she often relaxes or sleeps in her kennel by choice). I think every dog is different and for her I believe a five hour flight in the kennel will be less stressful than being at a boarding kennel for two weeks or with an unfamiliar pet sitter.

[whtviper1]

I travel with frequently with pets - very straightforward.

http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/files/2013...t-resident.pdf

[hotzcatz]

Probably it'd be about the same paperwork as if the dog were being imported to Hawaii for the first time, although it would be best to ask Dept. of Ag, since they're the ones which would have the final say on it. Let us know how it goes, this isn't an aspect that's been discussed much.

[whtviper1]

It is essentially the same paperwork except the waiting period from the blood test is greatly reduced.

[terracore]

One thing you may want to consider is that traveling doesn't always go according to plan...

Flights get delayed, cancelled, luggage and pets get misplaced, sometimes airlines implement last-minute animal travel moratoriums based on weather, temperatures, and union disputes. There are mechanical breakdowns, airport disruptions, and then there is praying that your animal isn't sitting in the hold next to a box or suitcase of seafood or whatever with 10 pounds of undeclared dry ice that kills all the animals in there with carbon dioxide poisoning. Maybe a lost or missing signature or piece of paper causes a spendy, time-consuming, and stressful bureaucratic nightmare during the re-import process.

I've flown a lot of animals, but it is SO risky, I will only do it if it is ABSOLUTELY necessary. I would rather pay $100/day to keep my pet from flying than pay $100 to bring it with me on an airplane, considering the unpredictable nature of air travel and risk to the animal. I understand that you've had positive experiences in the past, but there are so many elements out of your control, maybe $30/night to let your pet stay at home isn't so much after all.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

OP, maybe you could get a house sitter to stay with the dog while you are gone. We've been doing that for six years. Started with finding people in the community. Now that we leave for longer periods of time, I'm going on-line to find a house/dog sitter. There's a website called Trusted House Sitters and we have found some very good people. We require a credit check and police report and have had no problems at all. That way Snickers gets to stay in her own home and get lots of special attention.