Well Friends, I'll See You In Hawaii

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Today is my last day in St. Louis. I'm really sad and nervous, but I'm also kinda excited at the same time!

Roommate tells me I'll have my very own room again and there will be lots of new bugs and birds to look at and dream about chasing. I'm really looking forward to the availability of fresh fish- Yummy!

I'll try to keep you all updated on the transition from St. Louis Cat to Hawaii Cat as best as I can just in case you have dreams of moving to the islands. If you definitely think you'll take your feline friend along with you for the move, a few tips:

• First things first: Nail down a definite date. You must have at least 8 months to prepare your animal for Hawaii. If you have less time than that, you won't be able to meet the deadlines and your pet will have to spend time (maybe lots of time) in quarantine- at your expense. You know how hotels are super expensive in Hawaii? Well so is Quarantine, it's just not as fancy.
• Save save SAVE! You'll wish you were just sending a kid to Harvard when you're through with all of the fees you'll have to pay.
• Make sure the airline you choose allows animals. If they do, find out if your pet can ride in the plane with you- it's safer and less traumatic than cargo hold. (*Yet another benefit to being a little cat instead of a big slobbery dog!*)
• Download, read and re-read all of the information your brain can handle about
  Hawaii's Quarantine Rules and Regulations.
• Let your vet know your plans as soon as they're solid. They'll be a big partner in making sure your animal gets to Hawaii with you.
• Make sure your pet is completely up to date with all of his shots and vaccinations. When I say all, I mean ALL- as in "I never knew my pet had to have a Monkey Pox Vaccination! What's hawaiiisterrifiedofrabies disease?"
• Hawaii doesn't have rabies. They're super strict about the vaccinations and will require a blood test from KSU to prove your animal doesn't have the 'Bies.
• If you don't have a vet, GET ONE ASAP! My vets were Dr Freesh and Dr Kinnunen at St. Louis Cat Clinic... After going through all of this Quarantine stuff with me, they're pros!
• If you know your pet will have to spend time in quarantine, get him registered with a veterinary hospital near his quarantine branch. It's required and they might charge a registration fee.

Let me know if you have any questions... It's a long arduous process, but I'm sure it will be all worth it!