LAHAINA, Hawaii — Since the devastating Aug. 8 wildfire in Lahaina, Maui Humane Society said it has taken in nearly 800 animals. The animal shelter continues to rescue animals from the burn zone almost daily, according to a news release. However, at this time, MHS is putting most of its resources toward caring for pets in their shelter and those living with displaced residents.
In late August, Maui County officials allowed MHS personnel to enter the Lahaina burn zone to begin its mission to rescue animals, save those that were treatable, reunite lost pets with their families, and provide support for displaced pet owners.
As of Thursday, MHS is caring for 600 animals. About half of those animals are “fire cats” from Lahaina.
MHS said about 50 cats remain in the Lahaina burn zone, which is down from 600 cats who survived the fire.
The nonprofit hired 15 temporary staff members, known as the Fire Task Force, who rescue animals from the burn zone and help place animals in homes. The Fire Task Force has reunited 200 animals with their families and placed another 130 with new families.
The Fire Task Force also includes a Wildfire Community Liaison who helps pet owners who were affected by the wildfires. About 400 pet owners are still living in hotels. The Wildfire Community Liaison provides free or low-cost veterinary care, resources for pet-friendly housing and more.
On Wednesday, MHS opened its Lahaina Pet Resource Center, which serves displaced residents and includes a mobile veterinary clinic, and free pet food and supplies.
MHS received about $25 million in donations. The nonprofit already used about $2 million on immediate fire response and plans to use the remaining funds over the next three years to support the many displaced animals and their owners.
MHS will allocate $9 million to veterinary care, $5 million to pet supplies and $1 million toward reunification efforts. Another $500,000 will go toward financial assistance for pet-friendly housing, which will help pay for pet deposits, renter’s insurance policies and behavioral training for pets. The animal shelter plans to use $500,000 to send pets on flights to the mainland and neighbor islands to help owners relocate and to transfer animals to partner shelters.
The nonprofit will spend any remaining funds on disaster response training, additional off-site facilities to house animals, and other sustainable programs to support Maui’s pets.
Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.