To the Maui Community, 

After 13 years of service to the Maui community, Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation (HARF) closed its doors on December 31, 2024. Today, HARF and Maui Humane Society (MHS) have come together to announce that MHS will carry on HARF’s mission of protecting homeless animals and saving lives. As part of an orderly corporate dissolution, HARF has sold its 9-acre Waihe’e property to Maui Humane Society on favorable terms. HARF will distribute other assets to Maui Humane Society as it completes its dissolution.

As a trusted partner with a shared vision, Maui Humane Society will carry forward the important work both organizations have been dedicated to. When HARF dissolved, Maui Humane Society took immediate action to ensure the continuity of HARF’s mission and minimize disruption to those it served. This included taking in the remaining animals in HARF’s care and hiring several former HARF team members. 

With more than 70 years of service to the animals of this island, Maui Humane Society brings experience, resources, and compassion to carry forward the critical work of rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals in need, as well as supporting the community’s pets and people. Though HARF has closed, its board remains united in supporting Maui Humane Society in carrying forward this essential commitment. The need for animal care, rescue, and shelter is more urgent than ever, and Maui Humane Society is fully prepared to sustain and expand these efforts. 

What this means for our community: 

• Care Services: As the only open-intake shelter on the island, Maui Humane Society will continue to take in animals who are sick, injured, mistreated, lost, and surrendered. The organization is facing overcapacity challenges, as both of our organizations have experienced for years. They will need the support of the community to sustain taking in pets with nowhere else to go. Please consider adopting or fostering. 
• Ongoing Support: HARF encourages its supporters, donors, and volunteers to continue their dedication to animal welfare by supporting Maui Humane Society. The organization’s efforts to save lives, make a positive impact, and inspire the next generation of animal lovers will carry forward the legacy HARF has built. 
• Continued Mission: Our shared dedication to advocating for the well-being of animals in need remains unwavering. Maui Humane Society will play a crucial role in advancing this mission within the community.

A note from the HARF Board of Directors:

The HARF board extends our most heartfelt mahalo to all of our supporters and animal advocates who have been part of the HARF ‘ohana for the past 13 years. This commitment to our cause has made an incredible difference, and we ask that you extend the same support to Maui Humane Society as they move forward with this essential work. 

While this transition is bittersweet, we move forward with hope and optimism that the animals of Maui will continue to receive the best opportunities for new, loving homes. We are grateful to have been part of this incredible community and look forward to seeing the positive impact Maui Humane Society will continue to make. 

From Maui Humane Society’s CEO, Dr. Lisa Labrecque:

All of us at MHS are incredibly grateful for the strong partnership we have shared with HARF, and thank them for their many years of lifesaving work for the animals of Maui County. We are humbled and honored to be able to carry on their important mission and legacy. 

Since the 2023 wildfires, we have worked as close allies with HARF, enabling both organizations to expand and provide more services to the animals and families of Maui County. On a personal note, HARF CEO Dawn Pfendler and COO Richard Carr have become trusted friends, and I will miss working with them. 

For further information or to get involved with Maui Humane Society, please visit mauihumanesociety.org. 

With gratitude and aloha, 

Jade Deitrick
President of the Board of Directors, Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation 

Dr. Lisa Labrecque
CEO, Maui Humane Society 

Kanara Woodford
Board Chair, Maui Humane Society