Maui Humane Society begs residents to open homes to animals ahead of Lala

PUUNENE (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Maui Humane Society is asking Maui residents to foster or adopt shelter animals as Lala, expected to become a hurricane, approaches the state.

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Shelter calls on community for help

Keani Kapeliela-Bannister, the Maui Humane Society’s dog care manager, said staff and volunteers are working to prepare the facility and stockpile supplies while also reaching out to the public for support.

“Our call to action right now is asking our community to help us with fostering dogs from our shelter,” Kapeliela-Bannister said.

The shelter’s Puunene facility currently houses 164 pets in need of emergency placement ahead of the storm.

“Fostering dogs during anticipated storm weather really helps MHS free up a kennel for possible animals that are lost or displaced during storm weather,” Kapeliela-Bannister said.

Residents respond to the call

Devlin Gruenwald and her son Zai adopted a dog named Johnny from the shelter Thursday and said they are encouraging others to do the same.

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“We saw a TikTok of Johnny on the beach and I just knew that that dog needed to be in my family. I just felt it right away. And we came here this morning early and we met him and it took a little while for him to warm up to us. But once he did, I knew he’s coming home,” Gruenwald said.

The family plans to rename the dog Johnny Tsunami.

Dog facing euthanasia needs immediate placement

A dog named Jasper is scheduled to be euthanized Monday due to the stress of long-term shelter life.

MHS officials said they will hold off until after the storm passes.

They hope someone is willing to adopt him.

“Jasper is amongst some of our longest day shelter dogs, and he is experiencing high stress and anxiety in the shelter. Shelters are not an environment for any dog to be long-term. So it’s very important for us to find him an immediate foster home or adoption home even better,” Kapeliela-Bannister said.

Residents interested in fostering or adopting Jasper or other animals can find more information here.

Read more Hawaii County to open shelters, adjust bus service ahead of Tropical Storm Lala