Volume 1, Number 9
FREE
March/April, 2025
Despite Odds, Dogs Find Loving Homes
By Taryn Kama
D
“In 2021, MHS transferred 771 animals off island. In 2024, it transferred only 422.”
espite facing significant challenges, the Maui Humane Society (MHS) continues to make a difference, one adoption at a
time. From long-term shelter residents finding loving homes to dedicated community members stepping up to help, there are many heartwarming success stories that highlight the impact of MHS’s mission. Lucy’s Journey: From Unadoptable to Beloved Family Member Christine Hamilton, a dedicated supporter of MHS, has adopted multiple dogs from the shelter, including her latest addition, Lucy. Lucy, a mixed-breed dog primarily Leopard Catahoula, was originally deemed unadoptable due to socialization struggles and training difficulties. She spent nearly a year in foster care with a MHS staff member who provided the stability, care and training Lucy needed. Christine and her family, who have always had dogs in pairs, visited MHS after losing their previous dogs. They found Ghost, a Weimaraner mix with anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and later, when they met Lucy, they knew she would be a perfect match. Now in the final stages of adoption, Lucy and Ghost have bonded well. “We believe in giving dogs with difficult pasts a second chance,” said Hamilton. She said Lucy is their fourth adoption from MHS, and while the transition process can be challenging, it’s incredibly rewarding to help a dog that truly needs a loving home. Stuart Little: A Life-Saving Last-Minute Adoption In January, the shelter was so overcrowded that MHS put out the word that dogs would
Lucy finally found a new happy place.
Animal care and enrichment specialist Kianna Robinson holds Pali, who is ready for adoption! need to be euthanized if homes couldn’t be found. Stuart Little was on that list. Stuart Little, another MHS success story, was a stressed and at-risk dog struggling in the shelter environment. Despite experienced volunteers working with him, he remained overlooked—until a man who had recently lost his own dog heard about Stuart through word of mouth at a local hardware store. “His adoption happened on his last day in the shelter,” said Victoria Ivankic, Director of Marketing & Communications at MHS. “It’s moments like these that remind us why we do what we do.” No dogs were euthanized during that time because the community stepped in to help. Challenges Behind the Scenes While these success stories are inspiring, MHS is facing increasing challenges in caring for the island’s animals. As Maui’s only openintake shelter, MHS is required to accept all surrendered and stray animals. Overcrowding and Urgent Needs While there are many animals including cats, turtles and more, dogs remain the hardest to place. Additionally, the closure of the Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation (HARF)—which previously specialized in rehoming puppies— has only made things more difficult. Even highly
adoptable puppies are now struggling to find homes. To address the issue, MHS prioritizes dog transport through its Wings of Aloha program, which sends highly adoptable dogs to partner shelters on the mainland. However, recent airline cargo contract changes have drastically reduced the number of available transport flights, limiting these life-saving transfers. “We’ve been looking for new partner shelters, including in places like Chicago, but logistics and long flights make it challenging,” Ivankic explained. In 2021, MHS transferred 771 animals off island. In 2024, it transferred only 422. “It's just to give a glimpse of the unfortunate trend we are seeing. The cause is likely a mix of airline restrictions and overcapacity in shelters/rescues nationwide,” she added. The Lasting Impact of the Lahaina Fire The devastating Lahaina fire in 2023 displaced thousands of residents and their pets, adding to the shelter’s burden. In the immediate aftermath, MHS took in nearly 900 animals, many rescued from the burn zone or surrendered by families facing housing instability. While fire relief funding has helped provide food, vet care, and pet deposit assistance, longterm solutions remain elusive. “The effects of the fire are ongoing,” said Ivankic. She added that the shelter is now experiencing secondary effects of the fires. Job loss and housing shortages mean fewer people are able to adopt or keep their pets. Staffing and Veterinary Shortages A nationwide veterinarian shortage further complicates MHS’s operations. Hiring staff is possible, but attracting qualified professionals to an island with high living costs has proven difficult. Shelters across the country are competing for limited veterinary resources, leaving MHS struggling to meet medical care demands.
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What's Inside: Telescopes Detect Hazardous Asteroids.......4 Making Fresh Choices to Begin Anew..........5 Organization Breaks Homeless Cycle...........7 Events Calendar ..........................................8-9 Refreshed Menu @ Cafe Mambo.................13