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Group offers pet Chris Quackenbush prepared her pet for the move to Hawaii from California, but it did nothing to ease her mind when her golden retriever was required to spend 30 days at the state quarantine station.
quarantine alternative
The proposal would exempt
vaccinated animals with microchip IDsBy Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com"It's like sending your child into hell. They (pets) are parts of our families," Quackenbush said.
For several months, members of the Community Quarantine Reform Coalition discussed alternatives to confinement for animals upon arrival to Hawaii.
At a meeting held recently at the Hawaiian Humane Society, the coalition came up with a proposal to exempt vaccinated animals from quarantine. The coalition proposed a method that includes microchip identification, vaccinations and follow-up blood tests, but no quarantine.
Lawmakers are drafting a joint resolution to modernize pet quarantine regulations. The coalition is expected to meet with the Board of Agriculture today to present it with the proposal.
But state veterinarian James Foppoli said the proposal is embodied in the current 30-day quarantine program approved in 1997. He questioned where the coalition's proposal differs from the state procedures.
Under state law, animals are required to complete a 120-day quarantine period. If specific requirements are met before and after arriving in Hawaii, the animal may qualify for a 30-day quarantine.
Requirements include microchip identification, two rabies vaccinations, a 90-day waiting period and blood test.
There still are some pet owners who feel any confinement is too long, Foppoli said.
Foppoli said that if the 30-day quarantine period is dropped, "there is an increase in risk."
Quarantine for animals began in 1912 when rabies became endemic in California. State officials feared cats and dogs imported from that state could transmit the disease to Hawaii.
Under the coalition's proposed changes, a pet must have one blood test before arriving in Hawaii.
A veterinarian-issued health certificate must be completed within 14 days of the pet's arrival in Hawaii.
Also, health documents must be sent to the quarantine station directly from the health officials for clearance. Based on the coalition's proposal, if information is received less than five days before the pet arrives, the animal may be held in the quarantine while documents are reviewed.
Moreover, the coalition suggested an inspector from the state Department of Agriculture check every animal arriving at Honolulu Airport to verify the animal's health documents and scan the microchip before releasing the pet to its owner. If problems arise, the pet may be held in quarantine for up to 120 days.
Pamela Burns, president and chief executive officer of the Hawaiian Humane Society, supports the coalition's proposal to exempt vaccinated animals from confinement.
Having a 30-day quarantine is unnecessary because of what the vaccinations and blood tests do, Burns said.
Attorney Michael Lilly, a member of the coalition, said: "Quarantine is archaic. It's a throwback in time that's no longer relevant."
Quackenbush said: "It's very difficult emotionally. Many pet owners sit in their pet's cages (at the quarantine station) all day long."
Quarantine Info