Incoming animals receive a health check and temperament screening. After immediate medical needs are attended to, the staff moves on to care for their mental and emotional comfort.

"Playtime is one of the most important gifts that our volunteers give to the animals," said Linda Haller, director of shelter operations. "This high level of care keeps these pets healthier and happier as they wait for their new families."

After losing the comfort of their home environment, animals in shelters can be confused and sometimes scared, creating stress that can impact their health.

A wonderful way to relieve stress is to provide the animals with toys and a human playmate who stimulates them mentally and engages them physically. Playtime means more than fun — it teaches Fluffy and Fido to bond with humans, making their transition to new homes even easier.

The Hawaiian Humane Society's shelter animal behavior program helps animals deal with their situation by providing appropriate toys and willing volunteers to play with them. When you visit the shelter, you'll see toys wherever the animals are. The animals are exercised, petted, socialized and groomed by dedicated volunteers of all ages.

"Chewing can be a great stress reliever," said Elaine Dobashi, who coordinates the program. "Puppies, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs need appropriate items to chew. Dogs and cats enjoy toys they can chase after, bat at or carry around. Young animals also like to cuddle a stuffed toy for comfort, as if it were a litter mate."

Interactive pet toys bring the volunteers and the animals together so the cats can chase a feather attached to the end of a fishing pole. Dogs chase a ball or a flying disc in the wide-open dog park. Rabbits safely explore and hop freely in a "bunny playland."

"Exercise burns energy and helps to enhance the animal's relationship with humans," Dobashi said. "We make the animals as comfortable as possible while they are in our care.

"Pets give their own brand of unconditional love, whether they are living at the shelter or in their permanent homes. Everyone at the humane society works to strengthen the human-animal bond with our bright-eyed, tail-wagging, purring pets. Playtime keeps the animals occupied and happy. It's the best job in the world."

Cats, dogs cope in different ways

Cats are creatures of habit and resist change, so their time at the shelter can be upsetting.

Built to resemble a big doll house, the Cat House offers separate rooms where cats roam free to play with toys, watch birds, check the view from a high shelf, or rest in a kitty condo. The staff and volunteers expand the felines' activities — they hug, talk to, pet, brush and engage the animals with toys.