Wings of Aloha: Alaska Angels

Maui Humane Society’s Wings of Aloha: Alaska Angels program matches pets traveling to new homes at our transfer partners on the continent with Alaska Airlines passengers who serve as the chaperones for their journey.

Help a rescue dog or cat fly to their new home in a few simple steps:

    1. Provide your upcoming Alaska Airlines flight details here (flights must be to the West Coast to be eligible).
    2. If your Alaska Airlines flight plans align with an animal’s travel plans, MHS’ Transfer Coordinator will contact you.
    3. MHS’ Transfer Coordinator will walk you through the steps and provide all of the supplies and paperwork needed.
I Want To Help!

FAQS

What is the cost to participate?

Participation is free! Thanks to the support of Alaska Airlines, the cost of the animal transport is covered. The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation covers all other costs, including the animal’s health certificate, travel kennel, transport to the airport, etc. Human passengers are responsible for paying for their own flights.

What do I need to do?

All we ask is that you commit to being at the airport three hours before your scheduled flight. MHS’ Transfer Team will meet you at the airport check-in desk with your furry passenger. They will have their travel kennel, paperwork, and any other items ready to go for your flight.

What is the time commitment to participate?

We encourage participants to arrive for their flight three hours early. Once you arrive at your destination, you are not required to stay with the pet at baggage claim, as the transfer partner and/or adopter will arrive at baggage claim 30 minutes prior to landing. However, participants are welcome to wait with their furry companions!

What happens when I get to the airport?

MHS’ Transfer Team will meet you at the check-in desk three hours before your scheduled flight. Your furry passenger will be ready to go with their travel kennel, paperwork, etc. Here’s what to expect:

  1. The kennel and animal will be inspected by The Department of Agriculture.
  2. Once cleared, we will head to the Alaska Airlines desk to sign the required paperwork.
  3. The TSA will then inspect the kennel.
  4. Once cleared, airline staff will take the animals to board the plane, and you are free to continue through TSA and to your gate.
Where will the pet travel on the plane?

Animals will travel securely in Alaska Airlines’ climate-controlled cargo hold.

What will happen once we arrive at our destination?

Once you arrive at your destination, you are not required to stay with the animal at baggage claim, as the transfer partner and/or adopter will arrive at baggage claim 30 minutes prior to landing. However, participants are welcome to wait with their furry companions!

Why fly shelter animals to the continent?

Every effort possible is currently being made to find forever homes locally, but there are simply not enough available adopters on the island to re-home the thousands of adoptable pets we receive every year.

Maui Humane Society is committed to saving the lives of our shelter pets in any way possible, and thankfully, we have committed transfer partners on the continent who feel the same way! Every animal sent to our partners has a guaranteed adoption and we are truly grateful for their help in finding amazing homes for our animals.

I'm not flying Alaska Airlines. Can I still help?

Spreading the word about this program would be a great help to our pets! Currently, Alaska Airlines is the only airline partnering with MHS in this way and we are not able to send animals attached to passenger tickets on any other airline.

I signed up via Calendly but have not heard back. What should I do?

If you don’t hear from us before your scheduled flight date, we were unable to match your flight with an animal transport.

Mahalo for joining us in our lifesaving efforts, and we hope you will try again in the future!