300 Kaua‘i Dogs, Cats to be Flown to Less-Crowded Mainland Shelters

The Kaua‘i Humane Society (KHS) is saying goodbye to 302 dogs and cats as they will be flown to the mainland this afternoon to find new forever homes.

Kaua‘i’s animals will be among 600 dogs and cats from across the Hawaiian Islands that will make trip across the Pacific Ocean as shelters in the state have become overcrowded. Officials at KHS say the flight is essential for their animals as their facility is not only completely full, but there are not enough adoptive homes for all the animals in need.

“One of the unanticipated impacts of COVID-19 and the lack of commercial, nonstop flights between Līhu‘e and the mainland has been that our shelter animals can’t get to rescue partners,” said Mirah Horowitz, Executive Director of the Kaua‘i Humane Society. “This flight makes up for eight months of lost transfer opportunities. This flight saves the lives of more than 300 animals. It is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for Kaua‘i’s dogs and cats.”

With the support of the JR Peterson Foundation, Greater Good Charities & Wings of Rescue, the state’s dogs and cats will be flown to Washington State on a Hercules C-130 plane. The animals are being sent to shelters with low populations of adoptable animals.

Arriving at Seattle’s Boeing Field on the morning of Oct. 29, rescue groups and staff will pick up over 400 of the animals, and send the remaining 120 to continue their journey to Walla Walla and Coeur d’Alene.