Hawaii wildfires: How to help pets affected by the wildfires
ByJessica Goodman, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
How to help: As the death toll continues to climb and rescue crews are continuing to search for survivors as well as work on containing the wildfires in Hawaii, organizations and locals are working to help animals and pets who have been affected. (Maui Humane Society/Maui Humane Society)
ByJessica Goodman, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
LAHAINA, Hawaii — As the death toll continues to climb and rescue crews are continuing to search for survivors as well as work on containing the wildfires in Hawaii, organizations and locals are working to help animals and pets who have been affected.
Maui Humane Society is one of the organizations working to help reunite lost pets with their families and help the pets that need medical treatment. One of its shelters in Puunene, which is about an hour from Lahaina, is expecting an influx in animals.
“Maui Humane Society is expecting an inundation of hundreds of animals who have been burned, lost during the evacuation process and those in need of critical care due to smoke inhalation. Maui Humane Society is asking for help as the island grapples with the unprecedented and catastrophic impact of the ongoing Maui fires. The fires have left thousands of both humans and animals displaced, causing immense distress and creating an urgent need for solidarity within the community,” the Humane Society wrote on Facebook.
More than 100 animals so far have been taken in by volunteers, according to The Washington Post. The animals include cats, dogs, rabbits, and guinea pigs
A Facebook page called “Maui Fires Pets Help Group” has been created to help reconnect lost and found pets as well as assistance with shared resources, according to KHON.
Another Facebook group called “Lost & Found Animals of Maui Fires” has people posting about found and lost animals, according to the Post. Some of the posts include photos as well.
“The community has just stepped up like crazy,” said Maui Humane Society’s Marketing Director Katie Shannon, according to the newspaper. “It brought the majority of our staff to tears.”
Locals also donated dog and cat foods, crates, leashes, and other supplies, according to the Post. Maui Humane Society took those supplies and brought them over to evacuation shelters around Maui. Around 60 people also showed up at the shelter to help staff out.
The Hope Fund is also looking for donations, according to a news release from the Maui Humane Society. The Hope Fund is a fund through the Humane Society that works to help animals with life-threatening injuries, conditions, and homelessness. It’s 100% donor funded.
“The Hope Fund, powered entirely by the generosity of our community, plays a vital role in the lifesaving work carried out by our dedicated veterinary staff. It provides a lifeline for animals facing medical challenges, granting them a chance at a brighter tomorrow,” stated Dr. Lisa Labrecque, Chief Executive Officer of Maui Humane Society, in the news release. “Through the Hope Fund, our team can perform essential surgeries and critical procedures, turning tales of hardship into inspiring tales of survival and triumph.”
Hawaii fire: An attendee reacts during a Sunday church service held at Lahaina's Grace Baptist Church. (YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: A burnt-out car lies in the driveway of a charred house in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: A burnt out car and a sign reading "No Way Through" stand in the driveway of charred apartment complex in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina. (YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Tempers flared as residents waited in long lines as they are not allowed to pass a checkpoint to return to their homes in Lahaina. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag)
Hawaii fire A resident found some dishes among the rubble of a house that survived the wildfire. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Hawaii fire Crews are searching areas for flareups, items, and missing people following the wildfires in Hawaii swept through the area. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Maui residents John Rey Serrano and Lexie Lara look from a road above Lahaina Town in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Davilynn Severson holds a page of a yearbook as she looks for belongings through the ashes of their family's home in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Maui resident John Rey Serrano reacts while looking from a road above Lahaina Town in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Hano Ganer looks through the ashes of his family's home on Malolo Place in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Trixy Nuesca-Ganer looks through the ashes of their family's home in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: A woman cradles her cat after finding him in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii. (MOSES SLOVATIZKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Burnt books are seen by the public library in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii. (MOSES SLOVATIZKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: A burned cars sits among destroyed buildings in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii. (PAULA RAMON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: A destroyed building is pictured in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii. (PAULA RAMON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Burned cars, destroyed buildings and homes are pictured in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii (PAULA RAMON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Destroyed buildings and homes are pictured in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii. (PAULA RAMON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Residents walk among their destroyed home in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii. (PAULA RAMON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Zoltan Balogh clears away trees that were burned by wildfire in Kula, Hawaii. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: In an aerial view, cars back up for miles on the Honoapiilani highway as residents are allowed back into areas affected by the recent wildfire on Friday. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Burned houses and buildings are pictured in the aftermath of a wildfire, is seen in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii. (YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty Images)
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