It is estimated that some 200,000 pets are airborne annually. With a little bit of paperwork and planning, pets headed for Kaua‘i can bypass Honolulu’s quarantine station and arrive directly at the Lihu‘e Airport.

The private, nonprofit Kaua‘i Humane Society has teamed up with Hawai‘i State Animal Quarantine to welcome pets directly to the island, performing the necessary health inspections to ensure that Hawai‘i’s animals are healthy and rabies free.

Pet owners, flying on a participating airline, must simply request a Lihu‘e permit from the animal quarantine station and schedule inspection arrangements with Kaua‘i Humane Society at least 30 days in advance.

For direct arrival to the island, all pets must meet the five-day or less program requirements, which are detailed at www.hawaii.gov\gdoa\ai\ags\info. The state animal quarantine station handles all permit requests and issues and can be reached at 808-483-7151.

For those moving to or from the island, Kaua‘i Humane Society offers these tips for worry-free travel.

Visit your veterinarian clinic for the requirements for pet travel and ensure vaccinations are up to date. Keep in mind that moving your pet to Hawai‘i and other rabies-free destinations require preparations up to six months in advance.

The Humane Society discourages pet tranquilizers. You want your pets to be alert in transit.

Ensure your pet is comfortable with a carrier, which is often associated with a doctor’s visits. Throw an old shirt in there with your scent. Feed your cat or dog in the kennel or place a treat inside. Gradually, keep your pet in its crate for shorter to longer periods of time. Travel kennels should be airline-approved and large enough for your pet to stand and turn around comfortably in.

Ensure your cats and dogs have collars and ID tags with the best telephone number to reach you and/or someone at your destination. Advise the Humane Society of your intent to move so that they can update their lost and found database. Tape a photograph to the crate with the pet’s name, along with your contact information.

Write “Live Animal” in big letters on the crate. Once you’re ready to board and your pet has been inspected, ensure that the crate gate is securely closed. Plastic zip ties work well. Take a few with you. Tape a few to the kennel.

Another thing you can do to ease stress is book the most direct flight and take the same flight as your pet.

Ask the airline a lot of questions because each has its own set of limitations and exclusions. If you are switching from a jumbo jet to a shuttle, your dog’s large-size crate may not be accommodated in the smaller aircraft’s cargo hold. Some airlines limit the number of animals per flight and prohibit certain crate sizes and styles. Most will reject pets at check-in if temperatures at the destination are too hot or too cold. It’s not unusual for a major carrier’s smaller, partner airline to prohibit pets.

Keep in mind that if certain weight requirements are met and your pet can fit comfortably under the seat in front of you, your cat or small dog may qualify for cabin travel on a domestic flight.

Something to note about heightened airport security inspections: Your pets and kennels will be examined for bombs and drugs. In the case of cats, there’s a danger that your feline will flee with all the strange sights and sounds of a busy airport terminal so take a leash with you. Or ask that the inspection be performed in a room in your presence.

Most importantly, realize that you are their only advocate so don’t be shy to ask questions ahead of time and from flight to flight including asking for your pet’s boarding confirmation with each leg of the trip.

QUARANTINE information can be found at the DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

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