Traveling to Kaua’i with Your Pet? KNSAC CAN HELP WITH DIRECT RELEASE
In order to keep Hawaii rabies-free the import of all animals is governed by Hawaii’s Department of Agriculture. Kaua’i North Shore Animal Clinic has been approved by the State of Hawaii to inspect animals at the Lihue Airport for Direct Release to owners who have met the state requirements. Follow the steps below to avoid a lengthy quarantine period for your pet.
Direct Release Process
Whether this is your first time traveling with your dog or cat to Kaua’i or you are an experienced traveler to Hawaii, it is important to know that you need to apply for a new Neighbor Island Inspection Permit for each entry into Kaua'i. We understand that the process can be confusing so we have created this interactive guide to help you. If you have any questions please contact our team.
Let's Get Started:
Key Terms:
- Animal Quarantine Station (AQS): State agency that governs the import of animals from the mainland into Hawaii
- Neighbor Island Inspection Permit(NIIP): The permit issued by the state of Hawaii that must be issued and accompany the pet each time they enter a neighbor island from the mainland.
- Mainland: Continental United States
- Neighbor Island: All islands except Oahu.
- Entry Application #: A unique number issued by AQS after you submit your pet’s Hawaii travel application through HIPOP. It confirms your application is on file and is required before a Direct Release request can be submitted.
- Fully Qualified: The AQS considers a pet to be “fully qualified for entry” once they have satisfied the following requirements:
- AQS in possession of the pet’s two most recent rabies vaccination certificates
- Pet has a passing FAVN test that is still valid, and it has been more than 31 days since the lab receives your pet’s sample
- AQS is in possession of completed AQS-279 (dog and cat import) form
- AQS is in possession of payment via cashiers check or money order for the issuance of the NIIP
- AQS has a note from the owner requesting Direct release on a Neighbor Island
- Confirmation of booking — Once an owner has paid for their direct Release Booking KNSAC will confirm the booking with AQS.
Step 1: Planning — Double check your timeline!
This process takes a minimum of 30 days to 4 months or more!
It is essential that you plan enough time to complete the preparation process for Direct Release. Depending on your pet’s vaccination status this process may take up to 4 months or more.
Every dog or cat must meet the requirements listed on this Checklist and all required documents must be submitted earlier than for Direct Airport Release (DAR) in Honolulu; 30 days or more before the intended date of arrival. A passing FAVN test (Step 4) is needed before requesting a NIIP.
- Have you confirmed that your airline is participating? Check with your airline.
- Have you confirmed your flight is arriving directly from the mainland into Kaua’i?
Make 1 of the following adjustments:
- Change your flight to arrive directly form the mainland into Lihue Airport (LIH)
- If you are arriving on one of the other neighbor islands, arrange Direct Release through an approved provider there.
- If you are arriving into Honolulu International Airport (HNL) follow Checklist 1. Your pet will be inspected on Oahu and will be free to travel within the state after inspection.
- Have you reviewed the list of requirements and confirmed your timeline? Check the list of requirements and proceed.
- Has your pet(s) traveled to Hawaii before?
Step 2: Microchipping — Make sure the microchip is working!
Pets must have a working microchip implanted prior to rabies vaccinations and FAVN titer testing. This unique number will identify the pet in the qualification process for a permit.
- Are all traveling pets microchipped? Get your pet microchipped. The pet must be microchipped prior to vaccination for rabies.
- Are all microchips working? Confirm with veterinarian.
- Do you have all the microchip numbers? Get microchip number(s) and continue to next question.
Step 3: Rabies Vaccinations — Make sure your pet is fully vaccinated!
Rabies booster or full vaccination may add 30 to 60 days to your timeline.
Your pet must have been vaccinated against rabies at least two times in their lifetime in order to travel to Hawaii. Your dog or cat can start the rabies vaccination process once they are 12 weeks old. In order to be fully vaccinated they must have received at least two rabies vaccinations more than 30 days apart.
Reminder: Your pet must have a working microchip implanted prior to rabies vaccinations and FAVN titer testing. This microchip number is needed for identification during the permit qualification process.
- Has your pet had at least 1 rabies vaccination? Once your pet is 12 weeks old you can start vaccination process. They will need 2 shots more than 30 days apart. Once complete, continue to next question.
- Has your pet had 2 rabies vaccines at least 30 days apart? Your pet needs a 2nd rabies vaccine. Make sure this is administered more than 30 days after the first shot. Complete vaccination schedule and continue.
- Is your pet's last rabies shot still valid?( i.e. within the expiration period of the booster/most recent shot.) Your pet needs another rabies vaccine/booster. Complete vaccination and continue to next question.
- Did your pet receive their most recent rabies vaccine/booster more than 30 days ago? You need to wait 30 days after your pet's last rabies vaccine before you can get the FAVN Rabies Antibody Titer Test. Complete 30 days waiting period and then get blood drawn by your veterinarian for your pet's FAVN, then continue to next step.
Step 4: FAVN Rabies Antibody Titer Test & Waiting Period
Your pet must complete a 30 day FAVN waiting period to qualify for Direct Release.
30 days or more after your pet's second (or most recent) rabies vaccination, have your veterinarian draw blood for the OIE-FAVN rabies test. Your pet’s bloodwork will be sent to Kansas State University, and then you can check your pet’s bloodwork status using his or her microchip number.
FAVN Waiting Period
The results may come back in less than 30 days, however there is a mandatory 30 day waiting period imposed by the state of Hawaii. This waiting period starts the day *AFTER* the Kansas State University lab receives the blood sample (use of intermediate labs such as Idexx, Antech, etc may delay this date and the start of your waiting period)
Note: If your pet has a passing FAVN Antibody Test result you can complete steps 5 and 6 during the waiting period to help expedite the process slightly.
- Has your pet had a successful (equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml) FAVN Rabies Antibody Titer Test? Get a FAVN Titer test, results may take 30 days. Once results are received go to next question.
- Have you completed the 30 day FAVN waiting period? You need to complete the FAVN waiting period. You can complete your paperwork in the meantime. Continue to next section.
- Is your pet's FAVN test still valid, i.e. received by lab less than 36 months ago? If your pet's FAVN test was received more than 36 months ago they need a new FAVN Rabies Antibody Test.
Step 5: Documentation Required
Submit this form more than 30 days before your planned arrival date.
You need to apply for a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP) every time your pet travels to Kauaʻi. The required documentation must be received by the Animal Quarantine Station (AQS) at least 30 days before your planned date of arrival in Kauaʻi.
Important update: The NIIP application process is now completed online through the State of Hawaiʻi’s HIPOP system and must be done *prior* to submitting a Direct Release Request.
Owners must begin by submitting their application online at: https://hipop.ais.hawaii.gov/
Through HIPOP, owners will:
- Enter flight information
- Enter pet and owner information
- Upload rabies vaccination certificates
- Validate FAVN information
- Submit payment for the NIIP
Once the Animal Quarantine Station (AQS) verifies the application, an Entry Application Number (Entry App #) will be issued.
ContinueStep 6: KNSAC Direct Release Request Form
Submit this form after you have applied through HIPOP and received your pet’s Entry Application Number (Entry App #).
You must still complete all steps more than 30 days before your planned arrival date. The Animal Quarantine Station may take up to 30 days to issue a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP) once a pet is considered “qualified for entry.”
Whether this is your first time working with Kauaʻi North Shore Animal Clinic on Direct Release, or we have been working together for years, our Direct Release Request Form is required to proceed once you have an Entry Application Number.
Direct Release Request forms are processed during our business days (Thursday–Sunday). Once received, we will send an invoice for the Direct Release booking within 24 hours of our business hours. Once payment is received, we will confirm the booking with the Animal Quarantine Station.
- Have you filled out and submitted the direct release request form? Fill out form, and continue to next question.
Step 7: Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP)
It may take 30 days for your NIIP to be issued.
Once the Animal Quarantine Station confirms that they have received all required documents, information, and payment (see steps 1-6) your Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP) will be emailed to the primary owner listed on the AQS 279 form. You are required to print a copy of the NIIP to present it to the airline for your flight.
- Have you received your Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP) for your pet(s)? You need your NIIP to travel. It can take up to 30 days for AQS to issue your NIIP.
- Have you printed your NIIP to present a copy to the airline? Warning: You must print a copy of your NIIP to present to the airline.
Step 8: Health Certificate & Long Acting Tick Treatment
The Health Certificate and Tick treatment must be done within 14 days of arrival. However most airlines require the health certificate to be dated within 10 days of travel. So, please check with your airline for guidance.
This original health certificate must also show that a veterinarian treated your pet with a long-acting product labeled to kill ticks (Revolution® is not acceptable) within 14 days of arrival. The name of the product applied in the hospital and date of treatment must be recorded on the pet’s health certificate.
Approved Tick Treatment Products
Health Certificate Checklist for Veterinarians
- Has a veterinarian applied or administered a long-acting tick prevention product labeled to kill ticks within 14 days of arrival? Have your veterinarian apply an approved product and document it on the health certificate and continue to next question.
- Does your health certificate (dated within 14 days of arrival) clearly state BOTH of the following? The name of the tick prevention product, AND That the product was applied or administered by a veterinarian?* Get required treatment and certificate.
*Health certificates that do not list the tick product name and explicitly state that it was applied/administered by a veterinarian will be rejected by the Animal Quarantine Station.
ContinueStep 9: Airport Inspection & Welcome
A representative from Kauaʻi North Shore Animal Clinic will meet you for your pet's arrival.
Pets traveling in the cabin will be met at the end of the jet bridge.
Pets traveling as checked baggage will be met in the baggage claim area, near the sliding doors that enter the baggage claim.
The inspection is brief (typically about 10 minutes). During this time, the inspector will:
- Scan your pet’s microchip
- Check your pet for external parasites
- Review and collect your health certificate and permit
- Have the owner sign arrival paperwork
We understand owners are eager to allow pets to relieve themselves after travel; however, pets cannot leave the inspection area until the inspection is fully completed.
To help expedite the process, please:
- Have your health certificate readily available (it will be collected)
- Have a leash ready
- Be prepared to hold or assist with gentle restraint as needed for the inspection
- Once the inspection is complete and paperwork is signed, your pet is free to go.
We are pleased to have helped make your travel to Kaua'i with your pet as seamless as possible. If your pet needs any medical attention on Kaua’i, please give us a call. Aloha!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the KNSAC Direct Release Prices?
| First Pet | $400 and up |
Additional Pet $225 |
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| Current or Returning Pet | $275 and up |
Additional Pet $225 |
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| Direct Release Saturday or Sunday | Add $100 |
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Direct Release State and Federal Holidays in addition to the following days:
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Add $200 |
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| Direct Release After Hours (before 8:00am or between 5:00pm-8:00pm) | Add $100 |
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| Direct Release after 8:00pm | Add $200 |
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| Booking less than 30 days prior to arrival | add $100 |
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| Flight changes | $50 | ||
| Cancellations prior to two weeks before arrival | Full refund less $150 booking fee |
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| Cancellations within two weeks of arrival | 50% refund |
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| Cancellations less than 48 hours prior to arrival | Not refundable. A 50% credit may be applied to a future booking. |
Flight Changes
We will be tracking your pet's flight. If there are delays en route, not to worry—we will monitor the flight until arrival.
Important:
If your pet's arrival time will differ by more than 2 hours from the time listed on your scheduled Direct Release booking, you must submit a Flight Change Form. This allows us to update the Animal Quarantine Station (AQS) and coordinate with the inspector meeting your pet. Changes submitted by phone, email, or text will not be accepted.
If your new arrival date is more than 5 days later than your originally scheduled Direct Release date, the AQS will require a new NIIP to be issued. Please submit a Flight Change Form as soon as possible so we can assist with the necessary updates.
Flight Change Fee: Any flight change that requires us to re-submit documents to the AQS will incur a $50 fee.
Arrival Time Changes: If your updated arrival falls outside our standard Direct Release hours (weekends, holidays, or before/after regular hours), you will be responsible for any increase in booking cost due to after-hours or weekend arrival rates.
What happens if my flight is cancelled?
Please submit a Flight Change/Cancellation Form.
You are welcome to leave the booking price as a credit on your account for future use either in the clinic or for a Direct Release in the future. There will be a rebooking fee of $50 should you choose to re-book in the future.
- Cancellations 2-14 days of arrival will receive a 50% refund.
- Cancellations prior to two weeks of arrival will receive a full refund less a $150 booking fee.
- Cancellations less than 24 hours prior to arrival will not be eligible for a refund. A 50% credit can be left on the account.
What happens if my flight changes and I am now arriving first on Oahu?
Submit a Flight Cancellation Form.
Because pets are always inspected in the first port of entry into the state your pet will be inspected on Oahu. You will need to arrange for your pet to arrive at the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (AAQHF) at HNL - Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu during normal inspection hours between 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. It may take up to one hour for the airlines to transport a pet to AAQHF. Animals not delivered to the facility during normal inspection hours will not be released when they arrive. It is recommended to allow at least 3-4 hours between connecting flights to allow for the inspection.
Once inspected your pet is free to travel within the state. You will not need Direct Release upon arrival in Lihue.
If my flight changes will I need a new Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP)?
NIIPs are valid for 5 days +/- the scheduled date of arrival. If you will be arriving outside of that 5 day period the AQS will need to re-issue your pet’s NIIP ($35 re-issue fee). You will be contacted by the state for payment.