Puppies on the Beach!
 

We're thinking about going to Hawaii, mainly Kauai or Maui maybe even the Big Island AND we have 2 puppies, Puggles. We'd love to take them along and have read about the process of getting them there which doesn't seem impossible. However, we need to find a condo type place that will let us bring them. Also, we're members of RCI (timeshare).

Any suggestions?

Tony,

Are you sure you want to subject your pups to that long of a flight? I have a pug, and they won't take him at all. In fact, Delta has a long list of breeds they will not transport.

Suggestion, dont bring your dogs on vacation.

We've taken them on long flights in the states already. They simply pass out after we give them meds from the vet. I know it seems like extra effort to get them there, but we had to leave them behind for a trip last Oct. and hated that.

Do the Hawaiian islands not have a quarantine for animals any more? That would be great news, if so.

As for the flight, I know you didn't ask for an opinion about that, but: I wouldn't put animals in the luggage hold unless I absolutely had to. We flew 5 cats to Germany, three in the hold because each of us was allowed to put one under the seat in front of us. The two in the cabin were OK, just anxious, but the 3 in the hold looked miserable and terrified when we picked them up at baggage claim. One had even soiled herself. Of course, then we had to fly them back home a year later, and it was the same--they made it, barely.

I know dogs are different from cats, and your puggles might do just fine--this is just my 2 cents.

Sorry, but this just seems like a really bad idea.

Where are you flying from - and how long will you be there for?
Packing for, lugging 2 puppies (and all their gear) from your parking area, through the airport - drugging them, shoving them under your seats, then having to deal with possible connecting flights, collecting baggage, getting a cab to your hotel/putting them in the rental car (is that even allowed) seems like wayyyyyyy more trouble than its worth. And besides it seems kindof weird - to take your dogs on vacation with you. Maybe you should spend some "quality time" with the human being you are travelling with.

Also, what about when you leave them at your accomodations, won't they bark?

Hawaii has relaxed their laws on quarantine, we've already checked that. Part of that relax is that they can't fly with you they have to go directly from the plane to another location at the airport for inspection by a Vet there. Once you show all the paperwork and they check out then you can leave with them. Now I'm not sure about transferring to another island as we might have to. Our puppies came to us from another state, flown over in the hold. They seemed in shock as we were told most all of them do by the people in the airport.

BTW, We're in Los Angeles so the flight time is roughly 5 hours to Hawaii.

Ok - lets just say they're already there....the puppies that is. I'll decide on if they go or not.

What I need is suggestions on locations that I can bring them.


BTW, they don't bark when we take them to other places and they stay in their crates.

From what I remember...many airplanes will NOT allow pets in the hold if the temps are too high (hot). You had best check on that too.
You mention RCI/timeshare...are you staying in a timeshare? Then you had better be sure to check that the t/s allows pets of any kind.
Personally, I would not subject my pets to flying...too many accidents happen to them. Remember the Whippet that ran away at the airport in NY after the Westminster dog show??? She/He still has not been found. NO thank you. We drove from SW FL to east central South Dakota to pick up our Lab pup two years ago. And I would do it again.

Thanks everyone for those great responses.

Again, my question was for help finding a place that would allow pets. We'll just contact the resorts on our list directly to see if they can accomidate.

Wow you are getting a lot of unsolicited advice. I know how you feel but really everyone is right. I have a mini doxie and we just don't take the flying vacations anymore. I am wondering if you got all of the details regarding Hawaii. My daughter and husband were moving there and had to get a lot of things done before they could take their dog inclusing micro chipping. Perhaps your dogs have that already but they had to plan so far in advance because of time limits etc. I don't profess to know all of those details though. However if you are going to take them we always use vrbo.com and find accommodations that allow pets. Good luck to you - I hope it works out.
My friends can't believe that we have given up cruising because of our dog. I just don't want to leave her behind.(and I thought I would never be one of those people!!!)

I suggest you go to the website for Hawaiian Airlines and carefully read the criteria for bringing your dogs to the islands. Then, if you think you can bring your dogs, check the resorts' websites. For instance, the Sheraton allows dogs and that information can be found on their website.

We wanted to bring our dogs to the islands with us when they relaxed the laws but changed our minds when we read that you have to stow them, they cannot ride with you on the plane.

Traveller69 thanks!

I don't think I would have even thought about going with them had I not already started digging around for information. Yes there are time issues on how to get them there, but if you really want them there you make it happen. Micro chip and all.

I'm very familar with VRBO, the condo we love on Maui is listed there and we'd stay but she's already told us over the phone she won't allow pets.

We went to Italy last October and left the puppies with a friend for almost a month. While in Florence we saw a couple with 2 small dogs and talked with them, they flew from Hawaii to San Fran then on to Germany then Italy WITH the dogs. And they've done it many times. It made us miss our doggies very much.

Tony, do you have some compelling reason to subject your pets to this?

There aren't many scenarios in which, IMO, it would be permissible for someone to put his or her own wants over the dogs' well-be

Do either you or your S.O. have a terminal illness and you are going to Hawaii on your last vacation, ever, and just really want to see your puppies playing on the beach?

Short of that, I think your plan is selfish. And I have dogs and have owned many animals of all kinds over the past 50 years. You asked for suggestions. The one your getting from many experienced travelers is "Don't do it."

People! Please, I havn't bought airline tickets yet!

I'm just asking for information on where I can take them!

Wanting to take them with me where I go hardly seems selfish.

At this point I'm not going to respond or even bother looking at the post anymore.

They seemed in shock the last time they flew and yet you want to take them with you on vacation?? I have a suggestion....buy them two first class tickets and YOU fly in the HOLD!!!!
Sure, sometimes putting an animal on a flight cannot be avoided, but just for a vacation??? God, I hope your just trolling for responses. Nobody is THAT selfish..then again I could be wrong. JMHO

Ranger - Excellent article, thanks for posting it.

TonyMnLa:

One thing that's a very important issue, is our climate here in Hawai`i. When the weather heats up here (pretty much May through October), our small dogs overheat easily -- and usually get to spend the day in our air conditioned bedroom. While hotel rooms may have A/C, very few timeshares/condos and private vacation rental properties offer A/C.

And BTW -- I'm in total agreement that subjecting those sweet pugs to a drugged 5-hour flight each way, is senseless.

Yikes! Could you cut the crap?

Sounds like all he was asking for was help with finding a place to stay. He never said that he WAS going.

Besides, how else do people get their pets to Hawaii when they move there?

You're all bashing his character and don't know squat about him. You're all making judgements about someone and you know nothing about him.

Whats the tread about? Information, I don't think I like the tone of anyones 'information'.

Whats this BBS for? Aren't you all supposed to be helpful and kind? So much for that.

Probably someone should have mentioned that there are other sites where there are pet friendly people offering the correct information.

www.petswelcome.com

www.dogfriendly.com

www.pettravel.com

www.takeyourpet.com

www.petsonthego.com

I hope he comes back to see these.

Tony - I am not going to call you selfish. A lot of people travel with their pets and you are right to seek info on this site.
I will say that you are smart to go through your vet for info about sedating your dogs. I (and everyone else on this site) do not know how brachycephalic your individual dogs are. I will tell you that pugs, bulldogs, etc can have severe breathing issues. Their elongated soft palates can easily obstruct and kill them. This is exacerbated when they are sedated. When I am recovering these dogs, I watch them until they are fully awake. They also are easily overheated.