Adoptions : Hawaiian Humane Society (2024)

FAQs

How to answer pet adoption questions? ›

Be honest in your answers and don't lie about anything that you're asked. It's tempting to write down what you think the rescue wants to hear, but this could lead to you matching with a cat or dog who won't fit well in your home environment.

If your dog doesn't get adopted within its 72 hours and the shelter is full, it will be destroyed. If the shelter isn't full and your dog is good enough, and of a desirable enough breed, it may get a stay of execution, though not for long.

Adult cats are only admitted into the shelter if they are socialized enough to be adopted into a new home. Healthy unsocialized adult cats are not accepted into the shelter because they cannot be placed in homes and euthanizing healthy animals is against our mission.

Wildlife includes but is not limited to: wild birds, ducks, stray turtles, mongoose, stray pigs, wallabies, stray peafowl, free-roaming chickens and wild rodents. Livestock includes, but is not limited to, any horse, cow, goat, sheep, donkey, or pig. We remain an amnesty drop-off site for illegal pets.

You should be able to meet the parents or at least the mother. If the person says a third party must deliver the dog to you, it's a red flag. If you aren't allowed to meet the pup in person before you agree to adopt them, it's a red flag!

Most experienced shelter workers will tell you that black dogs are often adopted less than any other coat color. Be it black Labrador Retrievers, Shepherds, Rottweilers, etc., they are often passed over by potential adopters. This discrepancy in adoptions is referred to as “Black Dog Syndrome.”

Black dogs

Statistically speaking, dogs with black fur are less likely to be adopted. Whether consciously or not, some people assume black dogs are more aggressive or less welcoming.

Yes, your dog will miss you when you give them away. But dogs are incredibly resilient, and they live in the moment. It is normal for a dog to grieve the loss of their previous family and go through an acclimation period in their new home.

Feral Cats are wild-living variant of the common pet cat, introduced to Hawai'i by Europeans. Feral cats have established populations on all eight of the main Hawaiian Islands and contribute to widespread ecological disruptions that threaten native Hawaiian wildlife.

Is feeding feral cats illegal in Hawaii? ›

That's why Hawaii's wildlife agency decided to ban cat feeding outside the shopping center last year (the state still allows feeding stray cats in most other areas on the islands, except at boat harbors). During the protest, two women were cited by state officers for putting bowls of cat food on the ground.

Cat – Pōpoki

The word for cat in Hawaiian is “popoki.” It is pronounced poh-poh-kee.

Section 13-232-57.1 - Feeding of colonies, strays, wildlife, or feral animals prohibited (a) While on any property under the jurisdiction of the division, no person shall feed or deliberately introduce any food material, substance, or attractant directly to, or in the vicinity of, any colony, stray, wildlife, or feral ...

If someone finds a healthy stray animal, they can contact the Animal Control and Protection Agency at (808) 327-3558. Shelter capacity is still limited and averages 200 animals per day. However, ACPA has, and continues to, admit healthy strays as their capacity for care allows.

Though proof of a current rabies vaccine isn't technically required, we do recommend keeping your cat up-to-date on rabies and also having them microchipped (and keeping the contact information current). Luckily there is no quarantine, and in general the United States is one of the easiest countries to bring a pet.

Include how you know the person you are writing the reference letter for and how long you have known them. If you have witnessed the individual or couple's involvement with children, either your children or others, tell how they interact and what qualities they have that would make them good parents.

There is no one perfect or correct response to intrusive adoption questions or comments. It is more important that you as the parent(s) pre-plan and have a discussion with your child about comments they might encounter, present options, ask your child about their ideas, and let them choose who will respond.

For some, there are extremely practical reasons: for guidance or therapy, security, or even search and rescue work. Perhaps you live on a farm and need a dog to herd your sheep or cattle.

Ask lots of questions – you want to ensure a good match as do we! Ask the fosters about the dogs behavior, compatibility, energy level, food and appetite, health, any known behavioral history, any known behavioral issues, any known health history or health issues.