A Small Dog in Quarantine

Posted on Apr 08 in Small Dog Care, Small Dog Travelby Jeff K.Print

My Bonny crossed over the ocean.
My Bonny crossed over the sea.
My Bonny is quarantined for three months.
Oh bring back my Bonny to me.

Oh bring back my Bonny to me.

Hey, I’ve got a great idea! You know that trip we are taking to Hawaii in the fall? Let’s bring the dog! It’ll be great. She’ll love playing on the beach and running on trails in the backcountry. . . Not so fast Bucko. The Hawaiian government has one of the strictest entry requirements for dogs of any place on the planet. Before your dog is allowed to set a paw on Hawaiian shores, she must be micro-chipped, certified rabies-free in a 6-month long process, tested, and documented by a State of Hawaii-approved veterinarian. Even after you and your dog have jumped through all these hoops, your dog will still be quarantined after arrival in Hawaii for anywhere from a few days to 6 months. Still want to take your dog on a short visit to the Aloha State?

Almost every country in the world has regulations regarding how and when dogs may be brought ashore. There are a few that do not allow dogs in at all and others that do not allow certain breeds of dog to be brought in. Australia, for example, does not allow the entrance of American Pit Bull Terriers and other Bull breeds. Some countries only require the completion of simple paperwork. Mexico, for example, only needs a pet health certificate signed by a registered veterinarian in the United States and issued not more than 72 hours before the animal enters Mexico; and a pet vaccination certificate showing that the animal has been treated for rabies, distemper, hepatitis and leptospirosis.

You may find a list of import regulations, by country, at the United Stated Department of Agriculture, at this link. After you have gone to the U.S.D.A. site, select the country of interest and then find the link labeled “Pets.” The import regulations for the State of Hawaii can be found here.

Assuming you still want to go through with shipping your dog to another country or even overseas to a U.S. island state or territory, consider the journey from your dog’s viewpoint. Unless you have access to a blue-water yacht, or you are driving to Canada or Mexico, you will likely have to transport your dog by airplane. I have already written an article on the trials and tribulations of transporting a dog by air, which you can find here.

Once your dog arrives at the new destination, he or she may have to recover from the journey in isolation at a quarantine compound. Living conditions vary by country, so it pays to check out the quarantine facility before your dog arrives.

Speaking of paying, if your dog requires quarantine at his/her destination, you will be expected to foot the bill. The cost of quarantine varies by destination and is generally charged by the day. Hawaii, for example, charges $14.30 per day of quarantine plus program fees which usually total $224.

Is it a good idea to take your dog along on a trip to another land that requires a quarantine period? Sometimes the move cannot be avoided. Thousands of dogs make the transition each year, so moving a dog is not impossible. In my opinion, taking your dog along for a short visit to another country puts unnecessary stress on the dog. For short visits, I firmly believe the dog should be left at home.

If you have any insight on this subject from personal experience, we would love to hear from you. Please tell us your story in the comment section below this article.

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