The Hawaii Island Humane Society has finished drafting the policy intended to govern how rescue organizations handle and place the animals they adopt from the society. But the rescue organizations were rejecting the partnership agreement within hours of their release on Friday.
The Hawaii Island Humane Society has finished drafting the policy intended to govern how rescue organizations handle and place the animals they adopt from the society. But the rescue organizations were rejecting the partnership agreement within hours of their release on Friday.
The rescue groups — including one which ships dogs to mainland shelters — must report on adoption outcomes, providing the names and contact information of the long-term adoptive owners, under the new guidelines. The rescues must also abide by generally accepted guidelines for animal welfare and transportation, take legal responsibility for ownership of the animals and provide health certificates and rabies vaccinations for transports outside of Hawaii.
In return, the Humane Society says it is waiving fees in an effort to encourage adoptions by partnering rescue organizations. The society will also cover the cost of spay and neuter, some vaccinations and other health costs.
“I’d like to thank everyone who loves animals for their patience during our rapid review. HIHS wants to really ramp up adoptions to save lives, and we want to do so responsibly,” said HIHS Board Chairwoman Susy Ruddle, in a statement. “We are doing everything we can to expedite adoptions and to make certain animals adopted are in a healthy and safe environment.”
Two West Hawaii rescue organizations say they won’t sign the agreement.
“They expect to retain control but be released of liability after the dogs leave their care,” said Tasi Autele, founder of Big Island Dog Rescue. “It’s a setup for failure and it’s patronizing.”
Autele and BIDR shipped six dogs to no-kill shelters on the mainland on Friday — four of them provided by a network of supporters who adopted the animals from HIHS to turn over to the rescue. Shipments have only increased, bolstered by people who have gone undercover to adopt animals for transport off the island, said Autele, who plans to fly seven more dogs out next Friday.
The HIHS suspended adoptions to the rescues on July 13, saying increased activity by those organizations has spurred a need for a framework to guarantee humane treatment of animals and compliance with laws.
The Humane Society moved quickly to create the policy following outcry by residents who questioned why the society — which euthanizes more than 3,000 dogs each year — was no longer working with Big Island Dog Rescue to place animals in mainland shelters with no-kill policies and high adoption rates.
Board members have said the suspension was only temporary, giving time to create rules that are for the good of the animals. Some have speculated the society fears competition for funding and is making life difficult for the rescues, but the organization maintains that isn’t so.
“We are hoping even more rescue organizations will come forward and HIHS has already received encouraging inquiries,” Ruddle said. “Rescue groups ready to lend a hand with cat adoptions could be very helpful.”
Community members upset about euthanasia rates can take steps to reduce the problem of pet overpopulation, Humane Society executive director Donna Whitaker said.
“Our shelters receive over 15,000 animals annually. The majority of these animals are unwanted and spay and neuter could fix the problem,” she said. “Accidental litters are highly likely to end up in our shelters. Everyone who lives on our island can help by being responsible pet owners. Spay or neuter pets and adopt, don’t shop.”
Debbie Cravatta, founder of Kohala Animal Relocation and Education Service, said Friday that a kill shelter trying to oversee the activity of a successful no-kill organization is ludicrous.
“The more they try to control everyone, the more control they’re losing,” she said, “because people have been adopting dogs all week long to give to us.”