But hawaiipetadoption.com is not for breeders looking to make a profit, said Ron Skates, of Kahalu'u who helped develop the site.

The makers and supporters of the free site want to address a growing issue: abandoned animals.

"Our objective is to find a home for these animals so they don't have to go to the Humane Society, (which) is totally overbooked, as well as the rest of the rescue places," Skates said. He has rescued hundreds of animals and wants to slow the need for more rescues by getting people to take responsibility in finding a new home for an unwanted pet.

The Web site allows owners to post unwanted animals, and pet seekers to list a request for animals. Some charges may be assessed for adoption costs, but the idea is to keep the cost low so animals can find homes, Skates said.

Kim Groves, who does animal rescue and is part owner of a boarding kennel in Kahalu'u, said the site will soon have a foster care page for military personnel who must deploy and need temporary shelter for their pets. The Web site also will have a page for animals with special needs, Groves said.

"There's a lot of people who use the Internet, so we're hoping to open another door," she said.

The site is not completed but will eventually offer information about animals, a place for animal organizations to list themselves, a discussion group, volunteer information and foster care, said Penny Schreiner, who created the site.

"This is strictly a public service," Schreiner said. "We're not asking for money or anything."

More work needs to be done on the site but people can post their animals and look for pets now, she said. Operating for about a month, the site has found a home for two difficult-to-place dogs, Schreiner said.

But another owner decided to remove her dog from the site for lack of interest.

Still Schreiner said she hopes the site will take off because it offers another way to shop for a pet.