Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts

Friday, July 10, 2009

Blog 17 – Getting Off the Ground


After a fitful night’s “sleep,” the next morning at the motel near the San Francisco airport was more than chaotic. Five trips down from our second floor room got the car reloaded with our pets and luggage. We then proceeded to SFO where I dropped Devany off with the dog and the cat and most of our bags – with agreement to meet at the gate. I then drove to the rental car place, hoping it was open at 6am so that I could be shuttled back to the airport.

Devany had great success with an extremely helpful Redcap that handled everything with great aplomb – checking all the bags at curbside and directing where to go for the animal check-in, which turned out to be in the basement. There they inspected the animals and cages for security risks and accepted them for transport.


Meanwhile, the rental car shuttle dropped me off at its only stop about five terminals away from my destination. It probably took almost an hour for me to get to the gate, but I was there first which concerned me.

Devany finally arrived after having encountered the bad-tempered Gestapo Lady at the security line who told her that her carry-on was too large (the same bag she had used many times), and told her in no uncertain terms to get out of the line which was now up to about 20 minutes long. The bag had our computer and other stuff and the GL took Devany out of line and demanded she put it in the carry-on template where off course it didn’t fit. Luckily, another security agent took pity and told her to take out the computer and try it again – which worked, even though she now had too many carry-on items. Go figure.

We met up at the gate, wobbly but intact and already seriously needing an adult beverage even though it was only about nine in the morning.

Anyway, time to get on board and say good bye to the Bay Area…….!





Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Blog 13 Getting Pets Quarantined on the Mainland


Valentine on Lake Michigan



Hawaii has no rabies and wants to keep it that way.  Recent changes in the State’s procedures have resulted in a huge improvement in bringing your pets to the islands.  For instance, ours were directly released to us on our arrival in Kona – before our luggage had even arrived.

Kiwi the Ragdoll


However, please bear in mind, that if you do not meet the specific requirements of this new program, your pet may be quarantined for up to 120 days upon its arrival in Hawaii.

Valentine's Puppy - Winston

Next the only thing to watch out for is the lengthy mainland qualification process.  It had an impact on delaying our departure by two months.  Procedures include getting chips implanted in your animals, two sets of rabies shots 90 days apart and blood work being sent to a laboratory at Kansas State University (KSU).  Significant preplanning is critical to minimize the impact on you and your pets in this type of relocation.

The official state link regarding moving pets to Hawaii is:

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

Valentine - Happy in Hilo