Hawaii question

Specialties Travel

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Specializes in ICU.

Hey!

Anyone been to Hawaii? I would love to go. Has anyone taken a pet? I have a dog that I want to take with me. Would welcome any input anyone could give! My current company doesn't want to do housing for my dog in Hawaii, so I'd be willing to switch if you know of any that would set up housing for us.

Thanks!

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Specializes in PCU/Tele.

I went to Hawaii in 1992 for vacation, and stayed 9 years! Love it! I'll be going back to UH for my GNP next fall.

There is a mandatory quarentine for all critters. So, if you do a 13 week assignment, your pup may have his own state housing anyway.

Here's the link for the quarentine info:

http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/info

Check out www.craigslist.com for your own housing options. It is widely used there. There are many different neighborhoods on Oahu and depending on which facility you would be working at, you will need to be wary of cheaper rent in some neighborhoods compared to others...not so much because of dangerous or creepy people, but because of gnarley traffic... Although living on the North Shore/Laie can be lovely, it can also be a brutal commute (2 hours to Queen's or Kapiolani at the wrong time of day!) You can PM me with questions about neighborhoods but let me know what facility you will be contracting with.

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Specializes in ICU.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the website. I have to weigh the pros and cons of going. I won't go without my dog and I'm not sure I'm willing to subject her to the quarantine. I might do the 5 day quarantine. I understand the need - unfortunately my dog won't! The allure of Hawaii is great though, so there is a lot to think about.

Again, thanks a million!!

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Specializes in dialysis, m/s.

When I moved out here 3 years ago, it took about 3 months preparation to get my dog to Hawaii.She didn't require quarantine because my vet shipped blood samples ahead of time.(I think the blood was to test for rabies.) But still they have to have a microchip(certain brand), VET ADMINISTERED Frontline, vet clean bill of health, all shots up to date and I don't remember what else, but everything had a strict time sequence.

All in all it was a HUGE ordeal and cost a total of @$700 when I tallied up everything involved.Not to mention very traumatizing for my dog. Also, you have to consider the fact that its hot in Hawaii practically all year round. Dogs can get heat stroke from sitting on the tarmac.(Consider how hot it is in the cabin when you sit on a delayed plane for a few minutes...The temperature is much higher and the length of time is WAY longer for the animals in the belly of the plane.)Airlines wont even ship certain breeds of dogs to Hawaii many months out of the year because of this risk.

Hate to be a buzzkill but IMO its really not a good idea to bring a dog to the islands on a travel assignment, unless your pup is the size that can ride upfront w/ you.

As for my little friend, my husband and I have agreed not to move again until she is in doggie heaven, because her trek out here was really hard on all of us.

The main reason I'm so critical regarding this subject is because my husband worked in the cargo dept for an airlines for a few years and saw lots of animals in really bad shape from the heat and stress. Those guys have a whole different perspective on shipping animals.

Maybe your doggie could stay with a relative or friend? Or, if you bring doggie, at least plan your trip during the coolest times of the year and of the day!

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Specializes in ICU.

I have a small dog that can ride in-cabin with me. I like to get the perspective from all sides though. I have to think long and hard before I make the decision to go. Just trying to get all the input.

How quickly did your pup get released?

Thanks for all the great info!

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Specializes in dialysis, m/s.

We were able to avoid a quarantine completely because we sent a blood sample in about 3 or 4 months prior to our move.I literally checked my dog out 1 hr after I got off the plane.

We were lucky enough to have a vet who was up on all the state's requirements b/c her parents had just moved to Hawaii w/ their dog! Most of the requirements involve veterinary intervention, so your best bet is to download all the forms and schedule a vet visit to get started on your checklist.

Good luck to you and your pup and I hope you have a great time when you get here!:D:D:D

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I love my pups and have thought about going to HI for a travel assignment but I do think it is cruel to put them through all of that for a 3 month assignment. Do you have family they could stay with?

I used to travel with one of my dogs (8 plane rides!) and he did fine but its really a lot of stress. Especially for that long of a flight and for a short trip.

I know its sad to leave your pup but 3 months will fly by!

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