Hawaii News Now: With nearly 500 pets in its care, Maui Humane Society begs for help

PUUNENE (HawaiiNewsNow) – Chowder is a seven-year-old mixed breed bundle of fun.

He loves spending time with his brothers, 15-year-old Max and 11-year-old Sawyer, and five-year-old sister Sophia.

You definitely could say the Rotondo family gave Chowder a better life after they adopted him from the Maui Humane Society two years ago. The Rotondos will also tell you that Chowder made their lives better too.

“He’s just so sweet, and I feel like you can tell that he’s grateful that we have him in our family,” said Amanda Rotondo.

A “fosters needed” sign is up at the Maui Humane Society because they desperately need help. More animals are coming in than are going out. Now hundreds don’t have a forever home.

The shelter currently has nearly 500 pets in its care.

It is now running an adoption special: FREE for dogs and cats six months and older. They also have rabbits and a turtle available.

“A lot of times when I talk to my friends about fostering, they’re like, ‘Oh, but I work all day, I would never be around,’” said Rotondo. “One thing I gotta say is, you working eight hours a day and that dog maybe being home for eight hours a day is so much better than being locked in the kennel 24 hours a day.”

In addition to animal lovers, the Rotondos are also landlords who allow pets.

They say it is important to do so and encourage other landlords to do the same.

“My husband and I really want to rent to people with pets because we’ve always felt that someone who owns a pet is responsible. They’re responsible for their pet, and they’re going to be responsible for keeping our property nice, and we’ve always had great experiences, and I just think with the housing crisis on Maui, it’s really important that people with pets have a place to live,” she said.

Read the full story here.