A local rescue from the Maui Humane Society will be the first young pup ever from Hawaii to play in the Puppy Bowl, a fun animal sports competition as part of a “call-to-adoption” television event. “This helped her train for her big Puppy Bowl debut,” according to a news release. “Hoku was adopted by this same employee’s parents who live in Connecticut, so she has gone from island life to snow bunny life.”
As a member of Team Ruff, Hoku is the first Hawaiian dog to compete in Puppy Bowl. This American Staffordshire terrier/Catahoula leopard dog mix comes from the Maui Humane Society whose mission is “to protect and save the lives of Maui’s animals, accepting all in need, educating the community, and inspiring respect and compassion towards all animals.”
Puppy Bowl on Feb. 13 will host a special called “Pup Close and Personal” to showcase Hoku’s story and the Maui Humane Society who continues to care for her. The story will also be shared on the Puppy Bowl website.
Hoku, an American Staffordshire Terrier/Catahoula leopard dog mix, was recruited from the Maui Humane Society, but she’s since found her forever home in Norwalk with Pat and Maureen Shannon. Their daughter works for the Maui Humane Society. When Katie Shannon and Hoku came to the mainland for the game, Katie Shannon had her own play drawn up.
Maui Humane Society is facing an unprecedented dog population that continues to push the boundaries of the shelter’s capacity. The main reason for surrender is the inability for owners to afford the high cost of veterinary bills, followed by a lack of pet friendly housing throughout the island. Dogs Trust USA, an organization which aims to help as many dogs as possible in the United States, committed $25,000 to assist financially disadvantaged dog owners receive access to low-cost and no-cost spay/neuter services and medical assistance.
Hoku, an eight-month-old Staffordshire Terrier puppy from Maui Humane Society is still in the running in the Puppy Bowl that airs on the Animal Planet on Feb. 13. Help Hoku get into the “Pupularity Playoffs” by voting for her at Puppy Bowl XVIII – Vote For Your Favorite Pups | Puppy Bowl 2022 | Discovery.
This year’s Puppy Bowl features a Hawaii pup for the first time! The Maui Humane Society recently released behind-the-scenes footage of Hoku’s journey from the Valley Isle to the Big Apple for the event. The video also features Hoku’s time on Maui before she got adopted by a family in Connecticut. Hoku was born at the Maui Humane Society in May 2021.
For the first time EVER, the Aloha State is being represented in the PUPPY BOWL! On February 13, 2022, Maui Humane Society’s shelter-born pup, Hoku, will be Hawaii’s shining star and tackling the competition during Puppy Bowl XVIII on Animal Planet. Maui Humane Society’s Marketing Manager, Katie Shannon, fostered Hoku and explained how the PuppyBowl will be an opportunity to shine a spotlight on certain breeds stigmas.
With over 100 dogs and only 40 kennels, the Maui Humane Society (MHS) is in a crisis and needs your help to care for these animals. The shelter says it’s had an usually high number of dogs. Since so many of them share kennels, the dogs are also under a lot of stress.
Maui Humane Society has seen a surge in surrendered and stray animals during the pandemic — and they are asking for residents to step up during the holiday season. Before the pandemic, Maui Humane Society would hold 40 dogs during a busy streak. There are currently 95 dogs under their care.
