PUHI — The Kaua‘i Humane Society has welcomed Dr. Calley Hille, a veterinarian and four-year resident of Kaua‘i, to the team in a new position as director of medical operations.
The hire is expected to “change KHS’s medical operations internally, as well as the services KHS is able to offer to the public,” according to a press release.
Hille continues to remotely operate her own low-cost, private veterinary clinic in her hometown of Charleston, S.C.
“KHS has been committed to expanding and improving the medical services we provide for the community,” KHS board President Dan Giovanni said. “We are so pleased that Dr. Hille has joined the KHS family and will lead our medical team.”
Hille opened her clinic 23 years ago in Charleston. She and her husband fell in love with Kaua‘i on their honeymoon 15 years ago, and finally relocated once he retired from work as a first responder. The couple has since enjoyed working their cocoa farm on the Eastside, but Hille felt a call to become more involved in the community.
“I saw a need for more veterinarians and more affordable care for pets on the island,” she said.
Hille now oversees the entire operations of the medical department of the shelter, as well as the new, low-cost, Community Care Center, which officially opened earlier this month.
Her addition to the shelter comes at a time that KHS is experiencing larger animal populations than ever before.
“We are excited to have Dr. Calley Hille join the Kaua‘i Humane Society as the director of medical operations,” Executive Director Nicole Crane said.
“We had wanted to offer more medical services to our community, but were unable to because of staffing limitations. With 3,000 animals coming into the shelter each year, we could not ask our one full-time vet to take on more responsibility. Now, with two veterinarians, we were able to open the Community Care Center to help Kaua‘i’s pet owners, increase our spay/neuter appointments, and ensure we had a veterinarian on site every day for our shelter animals. On her first day at the shelter, Dr. Calley already felt like part of the KHS ‘ohana, and we are energized by the knowledge and experience she brings to KHS.”
In the six days that the Community Care Center has been open, veterinary staff have assisted 56 clients and 69 animals. The Community Care Center is open every Tuesday from 12:30 to 5 p.m. on a walk-in basis.
The community will have the opportunity to meet Hille at the first in-person gala fundraiser in several years. This year, PAWS for Celebration will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Kaua‘i Humane Society, 3-825 Kaumuali‘i Hwy., Lihu‘e 96766.
Tickets are available for purchase at kauaihumane.org/event/paws-for-celebration-gala, and include dinner, drinks, live entertainment, auctions, and a chance to speak with staff about the new programs and services offered at KHS.
