The flooding that impacted Oʻahu communities has left families facing devastating, life-changing losses. The Hawaiian Humane Society is committed to supporting the pets and people of these communities not just in the days ahead, but throughout the months of recovery that follow.

As a contracted partner with the City and County of Honolulu, we serve as first responders for animal-related emergencies across Oʻahu, working within the established emergency response framework alongside the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management, Honolulu Fire Department and other city and county agencies. The moment we received authorization to enter the evacuation zone, our Field Operations team deployed and has been actively responding to animal rescues and emergency placements across impacted communities, from North Shore to Waiʻanae. Our Pet Kōkua by Hawaiian Humane Community Outreach team is coordinating with Hawaiʻi Foodbank to distribute essential pet food and supplies at distribution points across Oʻahu, in addition to our standard Pet Food Banks at both campuses, reaching families who may not be able to come to us.

In the aftermath of the storm, hundreds of pets have come into our care, either brought in as stray by our Field Operations teams, rescue partners and good Samaritans. These animals may or may not have been directly impacted by the storm, but as open-admissions shelters, we do not turn them away, and every animal is receiving medical evaluation and daily care from our team.

You can make a meaningful impact in supporting our response and recovery efforts, and the animals in our care. Here’s how: 

Donate

A monetary donation is the most flexible and impactful form of support. Flexible funding allows our team to respond to what is actually needed as this situation evolves, rather than being limited to specific items or restricted funds. Money raised will go to helping support flood efforts and our other lifesaving programs.

Donate Supplies

If you would like to donate supplies, please check our Wish List before purchasing or dropping anything off. Our needs will change significantly as recovery efforts get underway, and we want to make sure that what arrives is what we actually need. Dropping off unsolicited donations, however generous, can create logistical challenges during an active response.

Our most immediate supply needs include large bath or beach towels (please no hand or dish towels), blankets, Adaptil pheromone spray for dogs, and Feliway pheromone spray for cats to help our animals manage stress during these difficult conditions.

Volunteer & Foster Care

At this time, we are not in need of additional volunteers. However, fostering is one of the most direct ways you can support our recovery effort right now.

Our greatest need: The 100 Foster Challenge. With more than 600 animals in our care and extended stray hold periods in place, we are asking 100 people across O’ahu to temporarily open their homes to a shelter dog. Free orientations run April 2 through April 11 at our Mōʻiliʻili Campus and Kosasa Family Campus. No experience necessary.

Foster opportunities beyond the challenge are flexible based on the length of time you can commit – from one to two weeks through our Couch Crashers short-term foster program, and longer for pets recovering from surgery or illness, or those that are underaged or underweight, through our Foster Care program. Hawaiian Humane covers all essential supplies and veterinary care your foster pet will need during their stay with you.

Please note that our needs will evolve significantly as recovery efforts continue and we transition from emergency response to longer-term community support. Please check back here and follow us on social media for updates on volunteer opportunities as they become available.

Spread the Word

Helping us to raise awareness and spread the word also makes a big impact. Download our action poster below and share it with your friends, family and network, or post it in your place of business to mobilize your patrons. 

Stay Informed

Recovery from a disaster of this scale takes time. We are committed to keeping our community informed every step of the way. Follow us on social media (Facebook and Instagram) and check back on this page for the most current information on our needs, our response efforts, and ways to support the pets and people of Oʻahu.

Sign up for HNL Alerts notifications at HNLAlert.gov to stay informed about conditions and emergency updates across Oʻahu.