Grab a Friend for the Day
Christy Doherty
50plus Magazine
Next time you’re in Hawaii and find yourself missing your dog. . . or you’d simply enjoy a unique outing with a furry companion while on island, there’s a fix for that!
Both Maui and Kauai humane societies have field trip programs, giving dogs precious time out of the shelter. Besides, who doesn’t enjoy the beach or a park even more when sharing it with a happy tail-wagger?
Field trip veterans Denise Troper Higgins and her husband Rich recently spent time with “Rell Sun” from the Maui Humane Society.
“This is the first time we’ve gone to Maui in many years,” Denise says. “We’ve done the program in Kauai several times. Maui’s program is called Dogs on Demand. Rell Sun was three years old, his owner passed away and had 10 dogs — all brought to the shelter. So sad!”
Both shelters provide everything you might need for an outing — a towel, toys, snacks, an “Adopt Me” bandana, and more. And if you happen to fall in love — well, there’s provision for that, too. All dogs in these programs are adoptable, and staff are ready to help. No pressure, though; the outings are simply good for the dogs in many ways: exercise, time outside to explore beyond the shelter, socialization with great people like you, and exposure to other potential adopters.
Both shelters have detailed information online, including scheduling and potential destinations to explore with your friend for the day. Fees vary — currently, Maui HS doesn’t charge anything for shelter dog field trips, while KHS requests a $40 donation. For off-island adoptions, airlines may offer specials. Depending how far you are from Hawaii, flight costs vary.
Whether volunteering near home or traveling on vacation, the Higgins are longtime advocates for overlooked shelter dogs. “That’s exactly why we took Shadow; he was both the oldest and longest in-residence dog at the Kauai shelter.”
The Higgins adopted Shadow, an 8-year-old hound mix, from Kauai Humane Society in 2015. Found as a stray on Hanalei beach, he’d been living on the beach for years. He passed away, well loved, at age 14.
Denise says, “Kauai dogs are just special; it’s hard to explain.”
Adopters and KHS volunteers often stay connected. For example, the Higgins adopted Winston, a hound mix, in 2016. He was about 3 years old, a failed hunting dog, found as a stray. “We adopted him never having met him — he wasn’t doing well in the shelter, and friends who were volunteers at KHS told us his story and sent pics. We immediately agreed to take him.”
And, the third’s the charm.
The Higgins adopted Kulolo (Lola), an owner surrender, at age 18 months in 2022. “She is the happiest dog in the world, she loves everyone,” Denise says.
Repeat Kauai vacationers, they realized the need for adoptions is much greater in Kauai since it is a small island. “That’s why we love to bring dogs home. We have adopted three from KHS,” Denise says. “It is an AMAZING program. The field trips help socialize the dogs, and they meet potential adopters. It gives them a chance to escape shelter life.”
The Maui Humane Society website states, “Most dogs are at their best when they are out of the shelter. Some dogs require daily enrichment out of the kennel to keep their minds active and vibrant. The focus of Dogs on Demand is to provide outing opportunities for the dogs who most need a break from the shelter.”
Of course, it’s great for those on the other end of the leash too.
Christy writes from her home office, a few deer trails off the beaten path. After 20 years in journalism she now follows her muse: writing about companion animals and extraordinarily kind people.
Resources
Kauai Humane Society
808 632 0610 | customerservice@kauaihumane.org
Maui Humane Society
808 877 3680 | info@MauiHumaneSociety.org