ANIMAL COMPANIONS
Tips to keep wandering pets safe, happy, at home

Hawaiian Humane Society

The doorbell rings, and in the seconds that the screen door is open, the puppy makes a mad dash for the road. A dark-colored cat is illuminated by the headlights of a car driving up Palolo Avenue. The radio traffic reports warn drivers about two loose dogs snarling morning rush-hour traffic as they trot down the zipper lane. A bird owner lets his bird fly free in the house, then suddenly the kids come home and the pet flies out the open door.

Pets are safest when they are at home. However, despite our best efforts, animals do escape and are put in harm's way.

The official lost-and-found center for animals on O'ahu is the Hawaiian Humane Society. As soon as you notice that your pet is missing, you should call and make a lost-animal report.

If you find a stray animal, contact the humane society immediately with a found-animal report or bring the animal to the shelter. The staff at the society puts these reports together and helps reunite wandering pets with their families.

Loose animals are not safe on the streets and rely on caring individuals to help them find their way home again. Here are some things you can do to keep Hawai'i's companion animals safe.

• Don't let your pets roam. The best way to keep your pets safe is to not let them loose outdoors. Keep dogs in a fenced yard or on a leash during walks, and keep your cat safe at home — either indoors, in an outdoor cattery or in a yard protected with cat fencing. Pets that are allowed to roam face life-threatening hazards, such as traffic, pesticides and other animals.
• If you see an animal in danger, call the humane society immediately. On O'ahu, the Hawaiian Humane Society responds to animal-related emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 946-2187, ext. 280, any time you see an animal in distress. Report all lost and found animals to the same number.
• Keep your animals safe while driving. Dogs who ride in the beds of pickup trucks must be secured safely in a carrier or cross-tethered in the truck bed to keep them from being thrown from the vehicle. Effective June 15, horses and cattle transported on public roads must be carried in closed trailers so they cannot jump or fall out.
• Give your animals identificat-ion. If your pet becomes lost, its ID helps your pet to find his way home again. Write your phone number on your pet's collar, use a tag, or get microchip ID for permanent identification. If your pet already has a microchip and your address or phone have changed, update the information by calling the humane society during business hours: 946-2187, ext. 0.

ADOPTABLES

Mittens

Tag No. 20706

Mittens' big green eyes seem to track all the activity around her. She is 3 years old and enjoys playing, followed by a good chin rub. She has a fluffy coat of tan and black patches with a snowy-white chest, chin and mittens.

Yaida

Tag No. 356

This attractive giant schnauzer is looking for a quiet home where she will be loved. At 7 years old, Yaida qualifies for our Seniors for Seniors program. Her adoption fee will be waived for someone 60 or older.

These particular animals already may have found new homes. The Hawaiian Humane Society and McInerny Dog Park at 2700 Wai'alae Ave. are open noon to 8 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends. The incoming-animals area always is open. If you've lost or found an animal, call 946-2187, ext. 285, immediately. See www.hawaiianhumane.org.