In response to the devastating Maui wildfires, the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation has granted Maui Humane Society $2,000,000 to assist with animal fire relief efforts. The funds will be used to support pets who were injured and displaced in the fires.
Maui County officials allowed the Maui Humane Society to access the Lahaina burn zone on Saturday afternoon in a coordinated search and rescue effort to find live animals, the humane society said.
Animal rescue workers have not been allowed into the burned area in Maui for two weeks to search for pets who may have survived wildfires this month — and now they say time is probably running out to rescue the animals alive.
As of 3:30 pm on Saturday, August 26th, Maui County Officials have permitted Maui Humane Society to access the Lahaina burn zone in a coordinated search and rescue effort to find live animals.
Maui Humane Society, the animal rescue lead agency, is committed to leading the lifesaving and reunification process for all animals, of all species affected by this devastating event. Maui Humane Society continues to cooperate with local emergency management and search and recovery teams. Yesterday, seven cats from within the burn zone were rescued by FEMA task force members and transferred to Maui Humane Society via Humane Enforcement officers. As emergency shelters close down, we are partnering with organizations across the island to ensure that pet supplies are distributed from Hana to Kula to Napili to keep pets in homes. If you know someone who needs help with pet supplies, please visit Maui Humane Society between 11am-5pm, 7 days/week to pick up pet supplies.
To date, Maui Humane Society has distributed more than 17,000 lbs of pet food and supplies to emergency shelters, distribution checkpoints, parks, churches, hotels, and individuals in need throughout the island. We have received an overwhelming amount of physical donations from our local community and abroad, which we are prioritizing to distribute to all pet owners who have been directly or indirectly affected by these fires, across Maui Nui. As emergency shelters close down, we are partnering with organizations across the island to ensure that pet supplies are distributed from Hana to Kula to Napili to keep pets in homes.
“He was burned on his paws, legs, back and body,” the Maui Humane Society continued. “Roman was microchipped, we called his owners and they immediately came to the shelter to take their baby boy home.”
“What is happening here on Maui is unimaginable. I feel so thankful and blessed for the heroes that helped take care of our babies and got them back to us safely. We were off island during this tragedy and we cannot be more grateful for how this community has and continues to step up. Miracles do happen. Don’t lose hope. Lean on each other.”
Luxmi Quall filed a missing pet report with the Maui Humane Society and created a post on a “Missing Pets of Maui” Facebook group. At 8:30 p.m. on Monday, she received a Facebook message from someone with screenshots of her dog, Hilo.
The country’s deadliest wildfire ripped through the island of Maui last week, leaving homes destroyed and towns turned into ash. The death toll reached 99 and hundreds of others have been displaced by the disaster. Among the displaced are pets.
