LIHUE — In one recent two-week span, the Kauai Humane Society received 87 dogs. In one week alone, 50 canines were added at KHS. And yes, that means what you think. The shelter is packed and foster families are needed
LIHUE — In one recent two-week span, the Kauai Humane Society received 87 dogs.
In one week alone, 50 canines were added at KHS.
And yes, that means what you think. The shelter is packed and foster families are needed to help alleviate the crowding.
“To get 50 dogs in one week, that was astronomical for us,” said Laura Lee, the KHS development director.
Not only do more dogs demand more room, they demand more food, and put more strain on staffing and resources.
“We didn’t even think about the food we had to get to feed that many more animals,” Lee said.
KHS is seeking about 50 foster families to take in dogs and care for them temporarily, or permanently should they decide to adopt. Since last Thursday, about 15 foster families have stepped forward when KHS posted a plea for help on social media.
“People have been very responsive to our call out,” Lee said.
She added that some were incredulous when told KHS needed foster homes for about 50 dogs.
“Are you serious?” came the response.
Absolutely.
The dogs have come to KHS in a variety of ways. Some were surrendered. Some were strays picked up on the streets. Some came from Kokee.
Lee said at least 15 were considered abandoned, meaning that they had been left without care and supplies for 48 hours.
KHS is trying to determine why it is suddenly seeing such an influx of dogs, and is urging people to be responsible for their pets.
“We need to figure out why they’re getting turned in, why they’re strays,” Lee said.
Some of the dogs are doubled up in kennels, but not all. KHS is utilizing some of the space dedicated to boarding dogs until the crowding eases, but that might be a while.
“We have a lot of kittens, puppies and dogs in foster homes, too, so they will come in once we have space for them,” Lee said.
Meantime, KHS is running an adoption special from Thursday through Saturday. Adoption fees will be waived for any animal that has been at KHS for three months and longer. The county license fee must still be paid.
Along with all the dogs, KHS has about 80 cats and kittens.
If North Shore residents have items they want to get rid of, but don’t want to drive to the Kauai Humane Society’s thrift store, the Blooming Tails Resale Shop in Lihue, there is an opportunity to donate and stay close to home.
KHS will be at The Farmers Market at Kauai Mini Golf in Kilauea from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 28 and at the Night Market from 4 to 6 p.m.
KHS will be collecting donations for Blooming Tails and sharing programs information.
Info: Michelle, 245-7387, or kauaihumane.org.
