Posted on: Sunday, February 27, 2005
ANIMAL COMPANIONS
Needy animals get temporary homes
Hawaiian Humane Society
The Hawaiian Humane Society seeks foster-care volunteers who will temporarily open their home to animals in need.
Hawaiian Humane Society Volunteer Colleen Arii received the society's Helen Kinau Wilder Friendship Award in 2004 for helping dogs that need specialized, long-term care.
Arii believes her foster-care work is a "calling" and can spend up to several months rehabilitating just one dog. Doesn't she find it difficult to give them back?
"Oh yes, it's tough," said Arii, "but it makes way for another dog that needs care. I enjoy giving them a second chance at a good life."
While Arii takes on the society's neediest dogs, there are a variety of short-term opportunities for those interested in temporarily opening their homes to animals.
Kittens and puppies that are not yet old enough for adoption enjoy a home stay with foster families that lasts about two weeks.
The Hawaiian Humane Society also fosters people's pets through its Pals Program. Pals provides trained volunteers to assist with short-term pet care for owners who are elderly, temporarily hospitalized, disabled or victims of domestic violence (while they seek a safe place to live).
Volunteers must be at least 18. Length of foster care can vary. The society provides training, pet supplies and health care. To find out more about foster care, call 946-2187, ext. 216, or apply online.
See www.hawaiianhumane.org and click on Volunteer.
"Whether it is puppies, kittens, older animals or even birds, fostering is great way to make a difference in the lives of animals," said Kelli Nitahara, outreach programs coordinator. "There are a variety of reasons why we foster including age of the animals, lack of shelter space or the animal's temporary illness or injury. Caring people in the community can help by serving as foster guardians."
Young animals that need foster care, such as this puppy, are nourished every few hours with formula from a bottle just like human babies are.
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