Photo By Kristen Wong | Christine Rossen (left), a certified veterinary technician, holds Barkley, a terrier...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - Millie, 85-pound weimaraner, has moved with her military family five times. Millie’s owner, Melanie Brassfield, recalled the first trip as “incredibly stressful.” Although the family contacted the airline’s help desk ahead of time, the help desk was based overseas. On the day of the flight, Millie’s crate would not fit in the cargo door of the plane, resulting in an additional night stay in a hotel. Nowadays, Brassfield makes it a point to call the help desk at the local airport instead.
Service members leaving Hawaii for a new duty station may already have a lot of responsibilities as it is, but with the addition of a family pet, there are several more things to keep in mind.
Before leaving MCB Hawaii, Robin Cabilao, the law enforcement animal technician at the Game Warden’s Office, asks that residents simply call the Game Warden’s Office and notify them that they and their pet will be leaving with their pet.
In addition, Brassfield said one of the biggest challenges about making a permanent change of station is finding a home that will accommodate her dog.
“In our experience, finding a rental property has also been more of a challenge with a pet,” she said. “There are many landlords who don’t want to rent to pet owners, particularly those with a large dog. If you have family or friends in your previous location (who) can look after your pet while you find a house, and send the pet out after you, it would make it all a lot easier. It is very difficult having to stay in a hotel with kids and a dog.”
Cabilao recommended that people be aware of their pet’s health needs while moving.
“Try not to travel in areas where it can jeopardize the health of the animal,” Cabilao said.
Each airline has its own regulations and practices for handling pets, from crate size to breed. In addition, airlines may not allow animals to travel at certain temperatures.
Some dogs and cats are brachycephalic, which means they have smushed-in faces. These animals, including those that are overweight, may have a harder time breathing when on a plane, according to Dr. Laurel Rhodes, a veterinarian at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii veterinary treatment facility.
Pets leaving Hawaii require health certificates, which are only valid for 10 days from the time they are issued by the veterinarian. Owners must make an appointment with their veterinarian for a health certificate. By then, all pertinent labs and vaccinations must already be completed, and there must be, at minimum, a 10-day wait before conducting a health certificate exam.
There is a wait time because pets could have adverse reactions to vaccines, according to Christine Rossen, a certified veterinary technician at the base VTF.
MCB Hawaii’s veterinary treatment facility begins taking appointments for the next month after the 15th of each month. Vet staff asks owners to bring specific items with their pet to the health certificate exam: two signed copies of their pet’s rabies certificate in blue ink, PCS orders and pet records.
Service members who are moving to a foreign country should do research, because each country differs in terms of requirements.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Health Plant Inspection Service’s website lists regulations by country. The USDA also has a number of port veterinarians in certain states, including Hawaii. Pet owners traveling to foreign countries must visit the port veterinarian after their initial vet appointment to approve their paperwork.
The Hawaii port veterinarian is:
Tim B. Falls
USDA Port Veterinarian
3375 Koapaka St. Suite H420
Honolulu, HI 96819
Office: 838-2854
Fax: 838-2862
Email: tim.b.falls@aphis.usda.gov.
Brassfield recommends that pet owners inquire about military discounts with airlines, and suggests researching kennels should they require one.
“Research sites like dogvacay.com if you are concerned about putting your dog in a kennel immediately after a long flight,” Brassfield said. “We have had great success with in-home dog sitters who have given Millie the extra attention she needed after a flight.”
For more information, visit the Game Warden’s Office in building 3099 or call 257-1821. The base VTF is reachable at 257-3643. A flier with instructions and tips on what to do when leaving Hawaii with a pet is available at mccshawaii.com/veterinary.
| Date Taken: | 05.21.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.22.2015 00:29 |
| Story ID: | 164212 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 77 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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