Animal Companions
Humane Society's helping hands
Hawaiian Humane Society
A little brown puppy opens its sleepy eyes and looks up at the person who has come to prepare the puppy pen for the day. The teen portions out food, cleans and refills water dishes and scrubs the kennel floor in anticipation of visitors who are also potential pet adopters. Meanwhile, another person prepares the cat house, cleaning litter boxes, refilling food and water dishes and brushing fur.
Hawaiian Humane Society
Although some of the caretakers are staff members, most of the people caring for the animals are volunteers. They make it possible to provide quality care for the more than 30,000 animals sheltered each year by the Humane Society. Consider these numbers: There are more than 450 volunteers at the Society and only about 60 employees. As a private, nonprofit organization, the shelter depends on the generosity of volunteers to further its mission — promoting the humane treatment of all animals and strengthening the bond between humans and animals.
Dustine Aiu regularly volunteers with guinea pigs and rabbits, cleaning cages, taking care of food needs and writing their information cards.
The Humane Society's small army of volunteers contribute in numerous ways: helping with adoptions or the dog park; grooming and exercising dogs and socializing cats; and helping out at the veterinary clinic. Many more work registration tables at fund-raising events, serve on committees and help with office work.
There is always work to be done, so new applicants are welcome. The Humane Society will try to match people's schedules with their skills, ensuring most will find a way to help, says Gayle Puou, coordinator of volunteers at the Humane Society. Application forms are available at the office or can be downloaded at www.hawaiianhumane.org/volunteers/. General orientation training is given for all volunteers, followed by department orientation and at least one more training session — lasting several hours depending on the department.
"We're looking for people to be our Park Pals," said Puou. "Once trained, these volunteers may spend a few hours in our landscaped park where dogs play without leashes."
Other volunteer vacancies that the Humane Society is eager to fill include adoption counselors, maintenance helpers, groomers and animal caretakers. Volunteers with at least six months of experience will have the opportunity to be cat socializers and dog trainers in the shelter's new animal behavior program, Puou said. The program uses positive reinforcement to teach dogs good manners and leash skills. For the cats, the volunteers will help with grooming and making the transition into a new home a positive experience.
• Add a custom photo to your holiday greeting cards and help raise money for animals who need homes. In the green garden setting behind the Hawaiian Humane Society, photographer Stan Wright will take a photograph of your pet and your family with or without a jolly aloha Santa. The $20 fee gets you four photos and four negatives in one pose. Fujifilm Hawaii will mail the pictures and negatives to you before Thanksgiving. No appointment necessary. Sessions are today, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Volunteering at the Humane Society is more than cuddling a cat or bathing a dog. The work often called for can be physically demanding. But if helping animals is an important personal goal, volunteer work at the Humane Society can be a rewarding experience.
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Santa Paws pics
Volunteer profiles
Dustine Aiu
Dustine Aiu has worked with rabbits and guinea pigs since 1997. Dustine's devotion to these animals led her to donate a custom "bunny hutch" on wheels that allows her to display the small mammals. She still volunteers her time, meticulously cleaning cages and artfully arranging the animals' hay, vegetables and oatgrass. Dustine is also responsible for writing the animals' information cards, letting potential adopters know a little more about the animals' personalities.
Tracy Watkins
Five years ago, Tracy Watkins volunteered to help at her first Humane Society event in Hawai'i. Tracy has since served on, and led, numerous committees, even with a growing family and a job. She was honored recently with the Helen Kinau Wilder Friendship Award at the Humane Society's annual meeting.
David Bowley and daughter, Elan
Each weekend, before the shelter opens to the public, David Bowley and his teenage daughter, Elan, can be found exercising dogs in the dog park. The father-daughter team started volunteering in 1998, enjoying the company of exuberant canines who run and play in the grass. The Bowleys are part of a program that allows children 7 to 13 years old to volunteer with a parent.
Pet toy drive in November
The holidays will be merrier for homeless animals this year. The Humane Society pet toy drive is this month. The drive will ensure each new pet adopted during December will have a new toy to take home. Bring your new toy donations to the shelter through Nov. 30 during regular shelter hours. Look for the big toy deposit bins on the lanai.
Wish List:
• For dogs: tug toys, rugged balls, washable stuffed toys, Nylabones, Booda chew toys, Kongs.
• For cats: catnip toys, sisal scratching posts, squeaky toys, laser mouse, feather chasers, battery-operated cat toys.
• For rabbits and guinea pigs: hanging wooden mobiles, igloo houses.
• For birds: wooden mobiles, mirror toys.
Pet Loss Support Group will meet on Tuesday
Those grieving the loss of an animal companion may find comfort in the Pet Loss Support Group, which meets the first Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is Nov. 6 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Hawaiian Humane Society. If interested, please call first: 946-2187, ext. 222. For more information about the group, go to: www.hawaiianhumane.org/programs/petloss/index.html.
