Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use Mokupet?
Mokupet simplifies the most important part of Hawaii's pet entry process: rabies testing, a.k.a. the FAVN Rabies Antibody Test. Because many veterinarians have little experience sending pets to Hawaii, we offer a FAVN Test Kit to minimize errors and improve your success of avoiding Hawaii's 120-day pet quarantine.
What's included in the Mokupet FAVN Test Kit?
Each Mokupet FAVN Test Kit is personalized to your pet including pre-labeled lab supplies and prefilled forms with you and your pet's information. The kit also comes with a prepaid clinical shipping pack with proper packaging to ensure your pet's sample arrives at the lab, safe and sound. See the FAVN Test Kit page for more details.
How much does the Mokupet FAVN Test Kit cost?
$179 – this includes the test kit, lab processing fee, and prepaid shipping. Please note, your vet may charge you a separate exam fee and a materials/dispoal fee for the blood draw, which are not included in the cost of the kit.
When should I order the Mokupet FAVN Test Kit?
You can order the kit at any time as long as you know your pet's microchip number and they have had at least two rabies vaccinations.
Can I use this kit with any veterinarian?
Yes! The kit is designed to be used by any licensed veterinarian, even those unfamiliar with Hawaii's requirements. Step-by-step instructions are included in the kit. Bring the kit with you to your pet's scheduled blood draw appointment.
Which lab does Mokupet partner with?
Samples are shipped and processed by the Kansas State University (KSU) Rabies Laboratory, a Hawaii approved lab.
When will I get the test results?
Typically 3 to 4 weeks from when the lab receives the sample.* Official test results will be mailed directly to Hawaii Department of Agriculture and reflected in your Hawaii Pet Owner's Portal (HIPOP) account. Mokupet will send you and your vet a digital copy of the test results.
*Hawaii requires a 30-day minimum waiting period between the day after the lab receives your pet's sample and when your pet arrives. This is about the same amount of time needed to process your pet's sample, so there's no need to use rush services.
What if the sample is damaged in transit?
Our goal is to make your Hawaii pet travel experience as stress-free as possible. If your sample gets damaged in transit, we will cover any additional fees incurred to collect and ship another sample to the lab.
Does the kit include rabies vaccinations?
No, your pet must be vaccinated by a veterinarian at least twice prior to using the Mokupet FAVN Test Kit. If your pet recently received a rabies vaccination, we advise waiting at least 21 days before their blood draw to to ensure your pet's optimum antibody response.
What do I do after I receive the Mokupet FAVN Test Kit?
Call your vet to schedule a standard blood draw. Bring the kit to your appointment. Your vet will draw a blood sample, complete the necessary forms, and ship the sample to the lab using the prepaid mailer included in the kit.
What if my vet has questions while using the kit?
Please have them reach out to support@mokupet.com or refer to theFAQ section.
Can I draw the blood sample myself?
No, the blood sample must be drawn by a pet clinic and properly handled to ensure sample integrity. A licensed veterinarian must also sign off on the lab submission form.
Can Mokupet arrange or assist with pet travel?
Mokupet can't book your pet's flight (yet), nor do we provide crates or airport transportation, but we recommend reaching out to your airline directly for their rules and regulations. We highly recommend flying with Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines to Hawaii since they are known for their pet-friendly services.
Can Mokupet help me move my bird, turtle, rabbit, or other pets?
Sorry, not yet! We would love to expand to other pets and services, but we are focused on dogs and cats at the moment.
How do I use the Mokupet FAVN Test Kit?
Please refer to the instructions in the kit for full step-by-step instructions or you can download them here.
What are the requirements for the FAVN test sample?
Draw the patient's blood sample in a serum separator tube. Spin and separate serum from clot and pour 1 to 2 mL of serum into the 5.0 mL transport tube. The serum sample must be relatively clear because grossly lipemic or hemolyzed samples are not viable for testing.
Please make sure the label with the pet's microchip number is securely attached to the transport tube.
When do I need to ship the sample?
Ship the pet's sample with the prepaid 2-day mailer included in the kit for it to arrive at the lab on a business day (Monday – Friday). If the sample cannot arrive on a business day within the 2-day time frame, please refrigerate the sample and ship the following week, e.g., samples collected on Thursday and Friday should be shipped the following Monday to avoid weekend delays.
Can I store the sample if it cannot be shipped immediately?
Yes, serum samples can be stored in the fridge for up to 7 days at 36 – 46 ºF or 2 – 8 ºC.
What sections of the FAVN Report Form do I need to complete?
Please complete the highlighted sections of the FAVN Report form and confirm all pet details are accurate.
Can I schedule a UPS pick up?
Yes! Please email support@mokupet.com, and we will arrange a UPS pick up at your office.
Will I receive the FAVN test results?
Official test results are mailed directly to Hawaii Department of Agriculture, but a copy of the results will be emailed to you and the pet owner.
Is a succesful FAVN test the only requirement needed for Hawaii pet entry?
No. You will need to submit an entry application for each pet via the Hawaii Pet Owner's Portal (HIPOP) or by mail using the AQS-279 form. Your pet will also need to have an active microchip, current rabies vaccination, an original health certificate signed by a USDA licensed vet within 14 days of arrival, and tick treatment within 14 days of arrival.
Check out our Mokupet Travel Planner for a free custom checklist of all the requirements you will need to complete prior to arrival or visit the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) website for more details.
What documents do I need to submit to Hawaii Department of Agriculture?
Here are the documents you will need:
Original certificates for (2) rabies vaccinations showing the vaccine names, lot or serial numbers, booster intervals, vaccination dates, and vaccine lot expiration dates. These certificates must be signed in ink by a licensed veterinarian.
An original health certificate in English, obtained within 14 days of arrival to Hawaii that includes the rabies vaccine information listed above and the date of tick treatment within 14 days of arrival.
If you decide to upload your documents digitally to your HIPOP account, make sure to bring the original certificates with you to your pet's inspection upon arrival if further review is necessary.
When do I need to submit my documents?
The (2) original rabies certificates need to be received by HDOA at least 10 days before arrival, either by mail or uploaded to your pet's entry application via your HIPOP account. The original health certificate can be mailed or uploaded prior to arrival, or you can bring it to your HDOA airport inspection upon arrival (copies not acceptable).
What happens if I do not submit my documents on time?
You can hand carry your documents to the airport inspection for review and qualification upon arrival, but it may result in a higher fee and/or your pet being quarantined.
Are there specific inspection hours at HNL?
Yes. Normal inspection hours are between 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM daily. It may take up to an hour for the airlines to transport your pet to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (AAQHF), so please plan your flight accordingly. Pets arriving after 5:00 PM will be held at AAQHF until the next morning and must be picked up between 8:00 - 10:00 AM or they will be transfered to the Animal Quarantine Station for 5 days.
What if my final destination is a neighbor island?
If you are flying direct to a neighbor island, you will need to request a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP) and arrange an inspection with an approved veterinary inspector at the destination airport.
If you will be flying through Honolulu, your pet can be inspected at HNL during normal inspection hours without a permit, but make sure to leave enough time for the inspection between your connecting flights. You will need to bring a baggage cart or other means of transport to move a crated pet from the AAQHF to the terminal after your pet is released.
