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Saving homeless pets in Hawaii

Every day, homeless dogs and cats are being killed in Hawaii simply because they don’t have safe places to call home. Together, we can change that.

Among the animals most at risk of losing their lives in Hawaii’s shelters are kittens, big dogs, cats who live outdoors in our communities, and pets unable to stay with their families due to a lack of pet-inclusive housing.

Together, we can end that unnecessary killing. Best Friends is actively working with shelters around the state to save more pets by focusing on making Hawaii a safe place for all cats and dogs to call home.

You have a place in this lifesaving mission and there are so many ways you can improve our communities by saving the lives of pets in Hawaii. You can use your voice to advocate for pets, foster a kitten, volunteer at a local shelter, or adopt your new best friend to name just a few examples.

 

Dog Cat

Support change for homeless pets

Use your voice to speak up for homeless pets in Hawaii so that all pets can safely find their way out of shelters.

You can pledge your support and commit to helping us save every pet possible in the state of Hawaii.

Your support lets us know that you want to advocate for homeless pets, get shelters and communities the resources they need to save cats and dogs, and keep pets with their families.

I Want to Help
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The goal of ending killing in shelters is called no-kill

No-kill is a community philosophy and commitment to saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved.

A 90% save rate for animals entering a shelter is a meaningful and common-sense benchmark for measuring lifesaving progress. 

Typically, the number of dogs and cats who are suffering from irreparable medical or behavioral issues that compromise their quality of life and prevent them from being rehomed is not more than 10% of all dogs and cats entering shelters. Therefore, we designate shelters that meet the 90% save rate benchmark as no-kill.

In 2023, Hawaii’s save rate was 76.1%. That means to achieve no-kill in Hawaii, just 3,487 more animals would need to be saved in shelters throughout the state.

That’s why we’re working with key decision-makers in each of Hawaii’s communities where pets are being killed in shelters to find sustainable solutions to end the killing by focusing on efforts like fostering, pet-friendly housing, and protecting community cats.

Achieving no-kill is a collaboration between shelters and their community, so the first step is for individuals to understand the progress being made in their own community and learn how they can help.

See How Your Community Is Doing
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Hawaii’s cats are part of the community and ecosystem

Community cats are cats who live outdoors and are often cared for by multiple residents. They are among the most at-risk animals in shelters in Hawaii, along with kittens and large dogs.

These cats in our communities are often brought to shelters by well-intentioned people. But because community cats are not used to living with humans, they aren’t happy living in homes and are unlikely to be adopted.

This means that after coming to a shelter, many of these cats are better off being returned to their outdoor homes and ecosystems. Unfortunately, an inability to return the cats to their preferred outdoor home often means they are killed.

But we can save lives here in Hawaii when our communities use trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) programs to prevent cats from reproducing. 

TNVR is a proven approach that ensures that cats in the community won't have more kittens, and that means fewer cats entering shelters. 

Targeted TNVR is the only humane and effective way to reduce community cat populations and end nuisance behaviors associated with cats reproducing while saving cats' lives. 

By implementing TNVR, community cats continue to live outdoors after they’ve been spayed or neutered and vaccinated for rabies. This keeps them out of shelters and frees up resources for other pets in dire need of shelter and care.

After they return to their outdoor homes as part of TNVR, these cats are fed by community caregivers. Having a regular food source from community caregivers reduces the likelihood of community cats looking for other food sources and ultimately reduces unwanted behaviors. 

This is why it’s important that we protect residents’ rights to feed community cats by removing feeding bans — which in turn protects every one of Hawaii’s animals.

I Want to Help

And for those cats who enjoy living in homes, they live their best lives in Hawaii with their people, enjoying the environment Hawaii has to offer while staying protected thanks to going for walks on leashes and spending time in outdoor enclosures.

Adopt a cat near you

Tiny kitten outside on cement steps

You found a kitten. Now what? 

If you find kittens outdoors, bringing them to a local shelter is not always the best option.
Help kittens found outside

Foster: Open your heart and your home to a homeless pet in need

When you foster a dog or cat in Hawaii, you’re not only providing a safe and loving place for a pet to learn and grow, but you’re also helping to make room for more animals in the shelter.

As a foster caregiver — whether you’re caring for a tiny kitten or a big dog — you'll make sure pets get the love and care they need, and we'll provide the necessary supplies and support. Not only will you be saving their lives, but you’ll also be freeing up space to make room for more homeless pets in Hawaii’s shelters.

Kittens are some of the most at-risk pets in Hawaii’s shelters because they need round-the-clock care, which many shelters don't have the resources to provide. But you can help by fostering kittens in your home. That's why we teamed up with Hawaiian Humane Society to expand their kitten foster program to keep kittens out of shelters, and you can help.

Big dogs are also at risk in Hawaii’s shelters, often due to a lack of pet-inclusive housing as the result of breed or size restrictions. We’re working with Rainbow Friends and Hawaii County to find temporary homes for these lovable canines. You can let us know you want to help advocate for pet-inclusive housing and keep pets with their families.

Foster An Animal Near You
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How do we reach no-kill?

We reach no-kill with YOU. Be a part of the lifesaving here in Hawaii when you adopt, foster, volunteer, advocate, and keep pets with their families.

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Adopt a pet

When you adopt a dog or cat, you’re not only adding a loyal and loving companion to your family, but you’re also helping to save lives by making room in shelters.
Find adoptable cats and dogs near you
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Foster a pet

Welcoming a furry houseguest into your home, even for just a few nights, helps that pet while freeing up space in the shelter to save more lives.
The fun of fostering
Smiling person petting a tiny kitten on their shoulder

Volunteer in your community

There are countless opportunities to help save the lives of homeless pets, no matter where you live in Hawaii.
Getting started as a volunteer
Smiling person holding a small dog in their arms while sitting outside

Advocate for animals

You can help create the kind of community you want to live in by teaming up with fellow community members to support progressive pet programs and policies.
Advocating for animals

Helping pets stay with families

From promoting pet-inclusive housing to reuniting lost pets with their people, you can help pets stay in their homes right here in Hawaii.

Two people interacting with a large white dog

Reunite lost pets with their people

Before taking a stray pet to your local shelter, try visiting a veterinarian’s office to see whether the pet has a microchip; then try to reunite the pet with their family via social media and talking to your neighbors.
Reuniting pets with people
Smiling person sitting with a dog outside on some steps

Promote pet-inclusive housing

Ensure the availability of more pet-inclusive housing to keep pets with their families.
Promoting pet-inclusive housing
Person using a stethoscope to listen to the chest of a husky dog

Keep your pet healthy

Spaying and neutering are routine medical procedures that not only help prevent unintended litters, but they may also prevent medical and behavioral problems.
Learn about spay/neuter
Two smiling people sitting on the floor with a dog in a veterinary clinic

Microchip your pet to keep them safe

A veterinarian or shelter staff member will scan for a microchip when lost pets are brought to them, so this safe and effective technology can help get your pet back to you quickly if they’re ever lost.
Microchipping your pet

You can help a Hawaii shelter or animal rescue group

Best Friends Network Partners are made up of thousands of public and private animal shelters, rescue groups, spay/neuter organizations, and other animal welfare groups, all working to save the lives of dogs and cats here in Hawaii and across the country.

Each and every one of our network partners needs caring people like you to adopt, foster, donate, volunteer, and advocate to help save the lives of pets where you live.

Find an animal shelter or rescue group near you today: 

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Make your voice heard

If you can’t adopt or foster, you can spread the word about the importance of stepping up to save the lives of cats and dogs.

Let your family, friends, and neighbors know that together we can make a difference in the lives of pets.

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Show your support

Do you believe that the killing in shelters needs to end?
I Agree
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About Best Friends

Best Friends Animal Society is working to save the lives of cats and dogs all across the country, giving pets second chances and happy homes.

As recently as 2016, 2 million cats and dogs were killed in shelters in this country simply because shelters didn't have the community support or the resources to save their lives. That number was down to 415,000 last year, but there’s still work to do to ensure a bright future for every dog and cat in America.  

Best Friends operates the nation's largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals and is committed to saving the lives of homeless pets by working with shelters and passionate people like you. We’re sharing our resources and what we know to help shelters around the country achieve no-kill in their communities. 

Together, we will bring the whole country to no-kill in 2025.