There is such a thing as a pet passport.
A pet passport is basically a collection of documents verifying your cat’s health. Does my cat need a passport? How do you get one? When do you need it? Turns out, typical of bureaucracies, it’s rather complicated, since it varies according to where you’re traveling to.
Travel with your cat within the USA
Domestic (USA) interstate travel appears lenient. Although, from the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) the APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inslection Service) has a list of rules for the state you are traveling to. I suspect this has more to do with livestock, and maybe horses. My experience flying with my cats, was about airline travel policies, not so much APHIS regulations. Nevertheless, the APHIS has all the information you need to travel with your cat domestically.
Hawaii is an exception
Hawaii is the only state that doesn’t have rabies, and they want to keep it that way. There is one port of entry for all animals going to Hawaii, and that is Honolulu. That’s where your cat will be inspected and quarantined. The shortest quarantine is 5 days, which costs $224. To qualify, owners must prepare at least four months in advance:
- Pets will need a microchip implanted for identification.
- The pet will need a rabies shot and a booster, which can be no less than three months apart and not more than one year apart.
- Animals should have passed a blood serum test, with results e-mailed to Hawaii officials by the testing lab. Pets cannot enter the state till 120 days after the blood sample is received by the state.
- Hawaii officials must receive a health certificate from the pet’s veterinarian at least 10 days before the animal’s arrival, with all test results and health certificates sent by e-mail to prevent fraud.
- At the airport, animal quarantine officials will inspect every incoming pet, check its chip to confirm its identity and release the animal to its owner if everything is in order.
Your cats will be taken from the airplane, by airline personnel, and brought to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility. From the holding facility, twice a day, a van runs from the airport to the Animal Quarantine Station, in Halawa Valley. If you arrive after 3 pm, however, your cat will stay at the airport holding facility, until transferred the next morning to The Halawa Valley station. Once there, your cat is let out of their carrier, and placed in indoor kennels. Fresh water is provided, but owner must request food.
If you are able to provide all documentation and microchip verification 10 days BEFORE you and your cat(s) arrive, you might avoid any quarantine, and have your cat released at the airport.
Here is a sample of the 4 page form Hawaii requires:
For questions, and/or additional information, plus guidelines for island to island travel in Hawaii, contact The State of Hawaii, Animal Industry Division.
Hawaii Department of Agriculture Animal Quarantine Station 99-951 Halawa Valley Street Aiea, Hawaii 96701-5602 Phone: (808) 483-7151
Once at your destination, anywhere in the USA, If something happens necessitating medical attention for your cat, this may be useful, the American Animal Hospital Association. It helps you find accredited hospitals by state. Hopefully, your cat will never need this.
next: Does my cat need a passport for international travel?
