Why Is Hawaii Rabies-Free (and What It Means for Your Pet Move)

Written by Tina Haines who has made this move both directions.

When we decided to move to Hawaii, we had no idea what the process was for moving to Hawaii with a pet. Hawaii is the only rabies-free state in the U.S. and the state is strict about animals entering the islands. An animal quarantine law has been in place since 1912. All dogs and cats that arrive on the islands must meet rabies requirements which can be a long process.

Due to the state’s rabies-free status, your pet must meet requirements for every vaccine, blood test, and all needed forms. The process can feel overwhelming so understanding the “why” can help make all of the requirements feel less arbitrary.

The rabies rules definitely took us by surprise when we decided to move to Oahu. We had to start from scratch as our cat did not have updated rabies vaccinations. That set my move back by about 2 months while my wife moved sooner for her new job. It’s best to start planning for your pet’s move 4 to 5 months before your arrival date.

TL;DR Hawaii Rabies Free Status

Is Hawaii rabies free? Yes. It is the only U.S. state that has never had a locally acquired case of rabies. The distance of Hawaii from the continent and in combination with its pet quarantine program, the disease has been kept out. When moving pets to Hawaii, they must have a microchip, two rabies vaccinations, and a passing OIE-FAVN test (rabies antibody blood test) to avoid the 120-day quarantine program.

Key Takeaways

• Hawaii is the only rabies-free state in the U.S., according to the Hawaii Department of Health.
• The state’s quarantine law dates back to 1912, when rabies was declared endemic in California.
• Bats are the biggest natural risk, and stowaway bats have been caught on ships and in cargo several times.
• Dogs and cats need two rabies vaccines, a microchip, a passing FAVN blood test and a 30-day wait to qualify for the 5-Day-or-Less program.
• Missing a requirement can mean up to 120 days of quarantine at $1,080 per pet.
• Pets that live in Hawaii don’t need a rabies vaccine, but they will need one before moving to the continent.

Why Is Hawaii Rabies-Free?

Due to Hawaii’s geographic isolation and its strict animal import rules that have been in effect since 1912, the state has been rabies free. Hawaii is separated from the continental U.S. by about 2,400 miles. Rabies is spread through mammal bites and land mammals can’t cross that much ocean on their own. The quarantine program started in 1912 according to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. Rabies was declared endemic in California and officials were concerned about imported dogs and cats bringing it to the islands.

Animals that are from a few rabies-free places such as the British Isles, Australia, Guam, and New Zealand are exempt from quarantine.

Rabies-free: A place where animals are not circulating rabies. Any rabies case found had to be picked up somewhere else (an imported case) and not passed between local animals.

Has Hawaii Ever Had a Case of Rabies?

Hawaii has not had rabies spread among local animals. However, officials have caught several close calls. According to the Hawaii Department of Health, any rabies cases that were connected to Hawaii were all infected outside of the state.

In 1991, a confirmed rabid animal (bat) was reported in the Hawaii Medical Journal in 1992 (Rabid bat diagnosed in Hawaii). Stowaway bats caught by the HDOA:

• 2006: A live bat escaped through an open window at Aloha tower. It arrived on a container ship from Mexico.
• 2011: A live bat was found in a shipment of radishes from Korea.
• 2012: A live bat was found in the interisland terminal at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
• 2017: A Western pipistrelle bat arrived at Honolulu Harbor on a Pasha Hawaii (Hawaii car shipping company) container ship from San Diego. It tested negative for rabies.

How Has Hawaii’s Pet Quarantine Changed Since 1912?

As far as changes go, Hawaii’s quarantine rules have only gotten shorter over time. The rabies requirements have stayed strict. Each change cut quarantine time as blood testing improved without loosening the protection.

Hawaii’s Pet Quarantine Changes:

Year	Change to Hawaii’s Pet Quarantine
1912	120-day quarantine begins after rabies is declared endemic in California
1997	30-day quarantine approved as an alternative program
2003	30-day program abolished; 5-Day-or-Less program takes effect June 30, 2003
2018	Waiting periods cut from 120 days to 30 days after the rabies blood test (effective August 31, 2018)
2026	Imported animals must be certified free of New World screwworm (effective June 3, 2026)

What If Rabies Reached Hawaii?

If rabies were to reach Hawaii, it would have a significant impact. It would threaten public health, native wildlife, pets and the tourism economy.

Hawaiian Hoary Bat

This bat is Hawaii’s only native land mammal and is also an endangered species. Bats are a major carrier of rabies on the continent. An outbreak among bats in Hawaii could be devastating and hard to control.

Mongoose

These animals were brought to Hawaii in the 1800s for rat control. Now you can find them on most major islands with Kauai being the main exception. Mongooses are a known carrier of rabies in the Caribbean. If rabies were to spread among Hawaii’s mongooses, it would very difficult to wipe out.

People and Pets

Pets on the islands don’t need rabies vaccinations and residents don’t worry about rabies exposure. An outbreak would change both of these situations.

Tourism and Local Life

An outbreak of rabies would hurt tourism as well as everyday life on the islands.

Rabies vector species. These are animals that commonly carry and spread rabies. They include bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes and mongooses.

What Are the Rabies Requirements to Bring a Dog or Cat to Hawaii?

In order to avoid the 120-day quarantine program, all dogs and cats must meet rabies requirements set by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. These requirements exist because Hawaii is a rabies-free state.

What Rabies Vaccines Does My Pet Need?

All pets require two rabies vaccinations in the pet’s lifetime. The most recent vaccination must be given at least 30 days before arrival. Be sure to keep the rabies vaccine certificates as you will submit them with your paperwork.

What Is the FAVN Rabies Antibody Test?

The OIE-FAVN blood test confirms that the vaccine is working. The test should be conducted at an approved lab such as Kansas State University. Even after a passing result. you have to wait 30 days before your pet can arrive.

OIE-FAVN test. Short for “Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization.” It measures rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. Hawaii requires a passing result before a pet can qualify for early release.

What Else Does My Pet Need Before Arrival?

The goal should be to meet the Direct Airport Release program. In order to do that you will need to follow the checklist that you can download on the Animal Information Quarantine page. Once you set up an appointment with your vet, they will also help you to keep on track with the timelines outlined on the checklist.

Here are the things that will be required to avoid pet quarantine in Hawaii:

• A ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip
• A health certificate from an accredited veterinarian
• Tick treatment (your vet will know which one meets the requirements)
• Completing the AQS-279 Dog and Cat Import Form and all documents received by HDOA at least 10 days before arrival
• Certification that your pet was inspected and is free of New World screwworm (new for 2026)

Also take a look at our post titled Hawaii 5-Day-or-Less program guide. What caught us off guard was the waiting period after the OIE-FAVN blood test as well as the tick treatment.

How Much Does It Cost for Each Program?

Direct Airport Release (Honolulu) costs $185 but increases to $244 if your documents arrive late. The 5-Day-or-Less program costs $244. The 120-day quarantine program costs $1,080. A Neighbor Island Inspection Permit costs $165.

What Happens If Your Pet Doesn’t Meet the Rabies Requirements?

Your pet will be placed into quarantine if they do not meet the rabies requirements when they arrive in Hawaii. If your pet arrives before finishing the 30-day waiting period, it will be quarantined at the Animal Quarantine Station until that waiting period is complete at a cost of $14.30 a day, plus $244 in fees.

See our guide for dog quarantine in Hawaii for additional details.

Do Pets That Live in Hawaii Need a Rabies Vaccine?

Pets already living in Hawaii are not required to have a rabies vaccine since the disease isn’t present in the state. However, resident pets that leave Hawaii and come back must meet the same requirements as new arrivals. That is to include the vaccines and blood test, otherwise, they will face being placed into quarantine upon return.

What Do You Need to Move a Pet From Hawaii to the Continent?

Moving your pet from Hawaii to the continent is far simpler than moving your pet to Hawaii. Whether or not your pet will require a rabies vaccine will depend on the state you are moving to. You will need to obtain a health certificate (mostly an airline requirement) so your vet will be able to tell you if a rabies vaccine is needed as well. For example, if you’re moving from Honolulu to Las Vegas, you vet can tell you if Nevada requires a rabies vaccination for your pet.

When we planned our move from Hawaii to Texas, we had to get our cat’s health certificate at least 10 days before our travel date. Our vet let us know that a rabies vaccine was required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Preparation is key if you are planning to move your pet to Hawaii. Work with your vet and follow the checklist that is found on the Animal Quarantine Information page. I read that checklist almost daily to ensure that I didn’t miss any step in the process. By doing so, we were able to take our cat home with us the same day we arrived on the island.

You can get full details on our post: moving to Hawaii with pets.