As the nonprofit Hawaii Island Humane Society ramps up operations at its Animal Community Center in Holualoa, work on a new animal hospital is underway.
The 10,000-square-foot Anne Barasch Ryan Animal Hospital is the final phase of the three-phase 12-acre center, and work on the much-needed facility is expected to wrap up by year’s end, or in early 2023 at the latest, said Hawaii Island Humane Society (HIHS) CEO Lauren Nickerson.
The state-of-the-art hospital will include an intake facility, three surgical suites and isolation units for animals with infectious diseases. It will mainly be for community-owned pets, but will also accept animals from animal control, which is currently operated the Hawaii Police Department. The facility will welcome dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs.
When finished, the hospital will mark the completion of the Hawaii Island Humane Society’s $12 million Animal Community Center. The humane society, which began operations in 1965, started the project in April 2011 at an old bonsai nursery along Mamalahoa Highway, near its intersection with Haawina Street.
Today, following the completion of phase two in summer 2021, the Animal Community Center features a welcome center, adoption center, education center, cat house, dog house, dog parks and more.
The nonprofit was unable to provide the most recent figures for building construction as of press-time, however, according to the most recent annual report, filed for 2020-21, more than $8.6 million had been expended on the project as of June 30, 2021.
“We are very excited about phase 3, the animal hospital, at the Animal Community Center. It has been a dream to see this project come to fruition, and we are all so touched by the outpouring of generosity from within our community,” Adam Atwood, president of the HIHS board of directors.
Nickerson added that the nonprofit is still fundraising for the hospital, and they need the community’s help.
“We need support. We operate as a no profit organization and rely on donations and grants,” she said.
Currently, the Kona shelter is at full capacity with around 50 to 60 cats, 37 dogs, four guinea pigs and two bunnies ready to be adopted into loving homes.
“The entire industry of animal shelters is facing a crisis,” said Nickerson. “Every animal shelter including ours is full on the island. When pets get adopted, we’re taking on more pets. The entire industry is in crisis right now. We’re seeing more animals wait in shelters as adoption rates have slowed.”
Though COVID continues, people look to adopt a pet are welcome to visit the Animal Community Center. Atwood also encouraged the public to take advantage of the area, including its two dog parks.
“Adopters can meet animals their animals here,” Alyssa Tabert, director of Lifesaving Operations at the shelter, said. “There’s a specific process to see how the animals react to other animals and people. There’s a behavior manager who takes notes to find a good home for the animal.”
That’s because, for HIHS it’s important that animals are matched with the right owner.
“Everyone fills out a questionnaire prior to adoption so the adoption counselor can call and match them,” Tabert explained. “We want it to be a good fit for people and the animal.”
In addition to connecting animals with loving owners, the humane society takes in animals of all ages and medical backgrounds, and will provide shots and vaccines for the pets arriving at the facility.
“If someone has to give up their pet, we work with them, and we provide resources to help keep pets in the home,” Nickerson said. “We offer pet food and support. Our ultimate goal is to keep pets in their homes, but we handle every situation individually.”