Veterinary Emergency and Referral Center (VERC)
Interisland Transportation
Access Emergency & Specialty Pet Care from Any Island
At VERC, we believe every pet deserves access to the highest level of care. If your pet faces a medical emergency or requires advanced specialty treatment, distance across the islands should never stand in the way.
Traveling for veterinary care can feel overwhelming, especially during an emergency. That’s why we’ve outlined clear steps and helpful resources to guide you every step of the way. Whether you need urgent treatment or a scheduled specialty consultation, you’ll find everything you need to arrange interisland pet transport, understand what to expect, and ensure your pet receives compassionate, expert care from the VERC team in Honolulu.
How The Process Works
1. Scheduling an Appointment with a Specialty Service
Your primary care veterinarian will submit a patient referral along with your pet’s most up-to-date medical records. Once we receive the referral, our referral coordinator will contact you to schedule your pet’s appointment .
2. Bringing Your Pet Through our Emergency Service
If your pet requires emergency care and you’re traveling from a neighboring island, please call us before booking flights. We also recommend having your veterinarian speak directly with the ER doctor on duty so we can prepare for your pet’s arrival. This communication helps us understand your pet’s condition, anticipate their medical needs, and be ready the moment you arrive. Learn more about our 24/7 Emergency Care.
3. Arranging Air Transportation
We have partnered with Kamaka Air to provide dedicated, reliable, and timely pet transport for off-island patients. To schedule travel with Kamaka Air, please call them at (808) 839-0946. Families may also choose to travel with other interisland carriers, including Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, or Mokulele Airlines, depending on availability and each airline’s pet travel policies.
4. Preparing for Pet Transport
To make your pet’s trip smooth and stress-free, be sure to prepare:
Medical Records: Have your veterinarian send medical history, imaging, and lab work to VERC in advance.
Medications: Bring all current medications, plus a list of recent medications with dosage and frequency.
Carrier/Crate: Your pet should travel in a secure, airline-approved kennel or carrier with proper identification and documentation. Review your airline’s pet travel policies.
5. Arranging Ground Transportation
You and/or the handler are responsible for arranging transportation to and from VERC. We are happy to answer any questions and provide guidance to make this process as smooth and reassuring as possible.
Flying with a Stressed Pet
We know air travel can be stressful for pets. If your pet may experience anxiety during the flight, discuss options like anti-anxiety medication or sedatives with your primary care veterinarian. Your veterinarian can contact the VERC veterinarian with questions about medication interactions. Please note that VERC cannot prescribe medications until after your pet’s consultation.
If you are arriving the night before a consultation and your pet’s condition worsens during travel, bring your pet directly to the hospital. Our emergency service is available 24/7, and we are here to provide immediate care and support.
Planning Your Stay on Oahu
The length of your stay depends on your pet’s appointment type:
Consultations: An overnight stay is typically not required, but visit length can vary. If additional diagnostics are recommended, your appointment may extend through most of the day. For this reason, we recommend booking your return flight for late afternoon or evening. For off-island families, we make every effort to complete as much as possible during the same visit.
Procedures: Stay length can vary, but most procedures require at least one night on Oahu, which will be discussed when making your appointment. Most procedures require at least one night on Oahu.
Surgery: Pets may need to be hospitalized for several days. Some owners stay on the island during this time, while others return home and come back when the pet is ready for discharge.
Neurology Patients: We recommend an overnight stay after any neurology procedure, either at the hospital or a pet-friendly hotel, to ensure 24/7 care if your pet’s condition changes. While we strive to schedule MRIs on the same day as consultations for off-island patients, this may not always be possible.
MRI Preparation: Pets should fast for 12 hours prior to their appointment (water is allowed). Medications, especially seizure medications, can be given in the morning with a small amount of food if needed.
We will discuss all expectations for your stay and your pet’s care before you travel, so you can feel confident and prepared.
Pet-Friendly Hotels Near VERC
a comfortable stay, here are a few nearby pet-friendly hotels:
Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club, Waikiki
Phone: 808-923-8882 Pet Policy: No breed or weight restrictions, no pet fees
Hotel Renew, Waikiki
Phone: 808-687-7700 Pet Policy: Pets up to 35 lbs
For a complete list of pet-friendly accommodations in Honolulu, visit: BringFido.com
Comprehensive Care, From Arrival to Recovery
From the moment you arrive at VERC, our emergency and specialty teams provide personalized, expert care tailored to your pet’s needs. We combine advanced medical treatment with compassionate communication, keeping you informed every step of the way. To ensure continuity of care, we update your family veterinarian on your pet’s condition, treatment plan, and aftercare instructions, so care continues seamlessly once you return home.
Whether your pet is facing an urgent emergency or requires advanced specialty treatment, our goal is to provide timely, lifesaving care while minimizing stress for both pets and families. Through our services and partnerships, pets across Hawaii can access the advanced care they need, and you can feel confident that your pet is in expert hands.
Have Questions?
We know this process can feel overwhelming, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Call us at (808) 735-7735 or Contact Us to learn more about interisland pet transport and how we can work with your veterinarian to provide the very best care for your pet.
