Two dedicated dog owners in Canada are the inspiration for this column. My wife’s cousin Annie Lam and husband Victor in Vancouver, British Columbia, sent out photos from their annual summer vacation with their dog that made us a little wistful.
Writes Annie, “This was a special vacation for Tiger. Since he loves the water so much, we like to take him away once a year so he can run and swim to his heart’s content. Harrison Hot Springs is only a 90 minute drive from where we live. We booked at the Harrison Beach Hotel and the beach is right across the road from it. There are close by trails to hike as well.”
The Lams went with another couple and their Pomeranian, and shared a large room. Continues Annie, “I must say Tiger is a good traveler, no problem at all. He quickly adapted to taking the elevator into the hotel room where he experienced no anxiety at all. There is a kitchenette so we were able to prepare some simple meals without having to take the dogs along and leave them tied outside restaurants while we ate. Tiger was busy socializing with people and dogs he met on his walks along the beach, but when its time for his swim, well, he was out there! He is a very good swimmer!”
My wife and I love to travel, and we often wish we could take the dogs along. We do a lot of walking on our trips (way more than we do at home) and it’s a shame our two Labradors aren’t able to enjoy the scenery and fresh air, too.
Then we thought: why not? The Hawai‘i State Department of Agriculture for decades had very strict rules on allowing pets into this state; Hawai‘i is one of the few places in the world that is rabies-free and the rabies quarantine protects the state’s residents and animals. But the quarantine rules were revised in 2003, and now more than 83 percent of pets arriving on O‘ahu qualify for direct release at the airport.
Chapter 4-29 Hawaii Administrative Rules governs the importation of dogs, cats and other carnivores into Hawaii. This law states that dogs and cats meeting specific pre- and post-arrival requirements may qualify for 5-day–or-less quarantine program, which has a provision for direct release at Honolulu International Airport after inspection.
And now, a new law is now making it easier for pets to enter Hawai‘i through the neighbor islands. The state recently expanded the quarantine program by partnering with community veterinary services and humane societies to allow “qualified” dogs and cats to enter Hawai‘i through airports on Kaua‘i, Maui and in Kona.
With a little planning, we too can take Kona and Inca for some fun vacations. So here’s some tips we learned from a travel agent. These rules might have changed by the time you book your trip, so make sure you double check with the airline rather than taking my word for it.
FLYING: All major US airlines, except Southwest, allow small pets in the passenger cabin for $50 and up each way. You must use an approved carrier and fit the pet under the seat in front of you. This counts as your carry-on. Make sure to check if there is a weight limit. Larger pets go in the cargo hold. Some airlines won’t transport during very hot or very cold seasons. Some airlines won’t take snub nosed animals due to trouble breathing. Reserve in advance and make sure you carry any paperwork the airline requests.
http://www.pettravel.com/ is a pretty comprehensive website that details not only pet immigration rules, but also sells carriers, provides tips, and has all kinds of other good stuff.
DRIVING: Dogs and cats should wear seatbelts, too! It attaches to the harness or kennel. Check state laws; some states don’t let dogs ride in the pickup truck bed. Some states will fine you for leaving the animal in the car in hot weather, even if the windows are cracked.
HOTELS: AAA’s booklet Traveling with Your Pet lists more than 13,000 pet friendly hotels and campgrounds. Policies and fees vary by hotel. Call the property in advance to get the rules and learn about any extra fees and deposits, like a cleaning fee, damage deposit, noise policies, or size restrictions.
WALKING: Just as in Hawaii, some public areas are off limits to pets. Most national parks allow pets in only designated zones like parking lots and campgrounds. Don’t take it for granted your dog will be allowed on the beach either, even if they are leashed. We found a website that lists dog friendly parks: http://www.dogpark.com/.
To view the requirements for how to “qualify” your pet, visit the Department of Agriculture’s website at www.hawaii.gov/hdoa.
CELEBRITY SUITCASE
Kona Hansen
Inca Hansen
Kona and Inca are both AKC registered Labradors who are our “other” children, besides the human one we just had in June! They love to swim and take long walks. Kona is actually a successful model. Her career highlight is posing for an Eddie Bauer catalogue, a gig she got through her agent at ADR Models. She made more in one day than I do! Kona has appeared in numerous local publications and on television spots. She works for food, but we’ll take the paycheck. She is 11 years old and now retired from the spotlight.
Inca is two years old and extremely hyper. She can get herself on a surfboard and jump four feet high without a running start! We have not obtained representation for her because she isn’t well trained enough.
When they travel, they must have: poop bags, water and a bowl, and a leash. It’s a bonus if we remember to bring along their Scooby snacks!
