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Hawaii animal The price of bringing a pet to the state through Hawaii's animal quarantine facility may drop by about 17 percent.
quarantine cost may
drop 17 percent
State money originally
earmarked for military personnel
will be spread among all usersBy Rosemarie Bernardo
Star-BulletinBecause of a $500,000 state legislative appropriation, the state Board of Agriculture has proposed lowering the 30-day quarantine fee to $545 from $655. Last year, the board approved an increase to $655 from $555 to help the quarantine program become self-sufficient.
A similar decrease also has been proposed for 120-day stays.
Dr. James Foppoli, state veterinarian of the Animal Industry Division, said he hopes there will be a hearing on the decrease by the end of October.
The decrease, if approved, would take place after the public hearing. It probably would be in effect for a year, said Letitia Uyehara, deputy director of the state Department of Agriculture.
The state appropriation initially was to cover increased quarantine costs to military families, but some lawmakers believed that the reduction should apply to all incoming residents arriving with animals, Foppoli said.
"Anybody using the facility should have the same break," said Uyehara.
"We all pay taxes too," she said. "If there is going to be any break given, it should be given to everybody, not just the military.
Last week , U.S. House and Senate conferees approved U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie's proposal to use federal money to ease pet quarantine costs for Hawaii's military personnel.
Those being transferred to Hawaii and other quarantine jurisdictions will be eligible for a $275 payment as partial reimbursement for putting pets in quarantine.
"Quarantine has kept Hawaii rabies-free," said Abercrombie, who represents urban Oahu. "At the same time, these costs are a real burden on military families, particularly those in the junior enlisted grades. These folks have no say in where they're stationed, so it's fair that we help them with the expense of relocation."
The yearly expenditure for the state quarantine program is $2.7 million, Foppoli said.
"The quarantine station has to basically be self-sufficient," Uyehara said. "It has to be covered by user fees."
The number of animals in quarantine has increased gradually through the years. In 1983, there were 2,215 animals in quarantine. Ten years later, that number increased to 3,945. Last year, the number climbed to 4,300, Foppoli said.
It is estimated that 1,645 military pet owners relocate to Hawaii each year.
Quarantine Info
