KAILUA-KONA — As part of an effort to rescue more than 80 dogs from a South Kona property, the Hawaii Island Humane Society is looking to the community to give the animals temporary homes.
Foster volunteers, said the Humane Society, should be able to help care for the dog or dogs until they can be adopted. That mostly means helping them get to an ideal body weight.
“Animal welfare generally starts with the best of intentions, but caring for too many animals can easily overwhelm, particularly when they are not spayed or neutered,” said Donna Whitaker, executive director of the Hawaii Island Humane Society.
Whitaker declined to provide further details about the rescue and where exactly the dogs were rescued beyond what was stated in the initial release. She also declined to discuss the health condition of the animals in detail or the condition of the property.
“Overall, the dogs are in good condition and our HIHS veterinarians are examining each one,” she said.
The release stated that the dogs “appear to not have any serious medical conditions,” and that if any of the animals need medical treatment, they will receive it at the shelter or send them out to foster with the required medications.
In addition to veterinary exams, every animal will also be vaccinated, microchipped and spayed or neutered.
“We are working collaboratively to resolve this situation in the best interests of the dogs and the owner,” Whitaker said, adding that the unidentified owner is “willingly surrendering most of the dogs” to the Humane Society.
In the Hawaii Island Humane Society’s announcement of the search for foster homes, the organization said the dogs’ owner had sought their assistance.
“Caring for too many animals can be difficult, so the owner has come to us for help,” stated the release.
Repeated attempts over a span of two days to contact the man that a neighbor identified as the owner were unsuccessful.
Earlier this week, Whitaker said 14 foster volunteers have already come forward but they were still looking for another 30 to help care for the dogs.
Anyone who is able to volunteer to foster the dogs, which range from puppies to senior dogs and are mainly mid-sized, can call the Humane Society at 329-1175.
Additionally, the organization is also looking for beds, crates and toys, Whitaker said. She added that they will likely eventually need large kennels sold at local home improvement stores.
Most items can be donated at any of the organization’s shelters, though logistics would need to be worked out for very large items.
The Humane Society is also accepting monetary donations at www.HIHS.org
