View From d'Isle

Doing Hard Time in Paradise
by Jean d'Isle

"elcome to Hawaii! That'll be $700; and for your furry friend, 4 months in the slammer."

Unless that furry companion is your significant other, or a hirsute offspring, you are about to become acquainted with the Hawaii State animal quarantine system.

Unique to the 50 states, Hawaii's controversial rabies prevention program has been in effect for over 80 years, notwithstanding a steady stream of complaints from newly arrived pet owners about the cost and quality of care at the state-run facility in Halawa Valley, and the prolonged and emotionally demanding separation from their animal companions. Ironically, there is credible scientific evidence that advances in immunology have rendered the lengthy quarantine obsolete. Critics have long maintained that the perpetuation of Hawaii's quarantine program is less about rabies than it is about revenues. The military in Hawaii has been particularly vocal on this issue because of the negative impact this program has had and continues to have on the many thousands of its personnel who come to serve in the state under military orders.

Our dog, Pooker, became an inmate of the quarantine facility when we arrived in Hawaii ten years ago. With no time off for good behavior or reduced time for ratting out the Chihuahua in the next cage, he did the full 4 month jolt (that's over 2 doggie years). It was no Holiday Inn (or even a Motel 6); but it did provide shelter from the elements and some room to stretch the haunches. Visiting days were emotional events for all of us—the joy of reunion and the sadness of re-separation at the end of the day. Pooker is gone now, to that big kennel in the sky (Ritz-class accommodations, I'm sure), but I still get teary eyed when I think of what that poor beast endured to gain his Hawaiian citizenship. I can almost understand those people who try to smuggle in their pets in oversized carry-on bags.

Hawaii, as an island state, has some legitimate concern about the potential impact a rabies outbreak could have within the limited confines of the islands. It should, however, acknowledge that policies based on decades old science need to be revisited with a view toward easing the economic and emotional load on its citizens, and eliminating a system that imposes harsh and unnecessary confinement on thousands of innocent family pets.

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Jean d'Isle is a retired naval officer living in Hawaii. During his military career he served in a number of overseas assignments, including Germany, England, Spain, Viet Nam and Puerto Rico. Following his retirement, he was an adjunct faculty member of Hawaii Pacific University and is currently under contract with the U.S. Navy at the submarine base in Pearl Harbor.

Jean's column, View From d'Isle, is a regular feature of VegSource On-Line Magazine.