The islands of Hawaii are stunning and a great place to live. But if you’re looking to come to Hawaii and you have a service animal, the move can become much more stressful. There are many procedures and requirements necessary to bring your guide dog to Hawaii. To make the process as simple and convenient as possible, M. Dyer & Sons has outlined the steps you need to follow.

First, it’s important to outline what a guide dog is and what a service dog is. These two types of animals are exempt from certain procedures that regular pets have to follow before entering the island, and so this list cannot and should not be used for all animals.

Guide Dog: Refers to any dog that is trained by a licensed Guide Dog Trainer for guiding a person who is legally blind.

Service Dog: Refers to any dog that is trained to do work for an individual who cannot do the work himself or herself. Disabilities may be physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other.

Emotional Support Animals do not qualify as guide or service dogs and cannot follow the steps outlined here by M. Dyer & Sons.

• Current Rabies Vaccination: Your dog must have a current vaccination and must be old enough to have had at least two rabies vaccinations. Make sure to bring the documentation from your vet and that the most recent vaccination is 90 days prior to your move.
• Microchip: Your dog must be chipped prior to your move.
• OIE-FAVN Test: Your dog must pass an OIE-FAVN test. It is valid for three years and can take up to six weeks to complete. The test must be completed no less than 120 days prior to your move. Talk to your vet about completing this blood draw.
• Standard Health Certificate: Your dog must have a newly issued health certificate that is issued no more than 14 days prior to your arrival.
• At The Airport: Once you step off the plane, you’ll need to visit the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility for a quick verification of compliance. If you have followed steps 1-4 and have all your necessary paperwork, this should be a quick process.
• Location: Let Quarantine know where you and your dog will be staying after your move.

The process might seem difficult, but if you follow the steps as outlined by M. Dyer & Sons, it should be smooth sailing to bring your beloved service animal to Hawaii with you during your move. And for all of your other moving needs, hire only the best movers and moving company in Hawaii, M. Dyer & Sons. They can walk you through the process and ensure that everything goes off without a hitch. Give them a call today at (808) 456-4200 or visit their website to request a quote.