Wings of Aloha Transfer Program
The Wings of Aloha program was created to fly homeless animals on Maui to the mainland where there are animal welfare partners and new owners waiting for them with open arms. Believe it or not, there are animal welfare groups on the mainland who don’t struggle with pet overpopulation or lack of adopters the way we do on Maui! The Wings of Aloha Program encourages a strong working partnership with these welfare groups, provides the highest standard for the health and safety of our shelter pets, and gives them the second chance at a long and cherished life that they truly deserve by transferring animals to adoption guaranteed rescues and shelters. Maui Humane Society is committed to saving more lives and can do so by relocating some of our animals to places where there is a higher demand for adoptable dogs and cats.
The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation has exclusively funded the entire Wings of Aloha program since 2017. Maui Humane Society is deeply grateful to the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation for its generous support of our organization, and commitment to improving the lives of Maui’s dogs and cats.
How Wings of Aloha Saves Lives
Why fly shelter animals to the mainland?
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. Public education and spaying and neutering pets are long term solutions to this problem, but meanwhile Maui Humane Society is also committed to saving the lives of our shelter pets, today, in any way possible.
While we do transfer locally, space is equally limited. Our only other option, due to the fact that we are an island community, is to transfer animals by air to shelters or rescues on the mainland.
Who pays for these animals to be transferred on the Wings of Aloha program?
Since its inception, the Wings of Aloha program was a 100% donor-funded program. As of October 2017, the Maui Humane Society received a multi-year grant from the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation to fully pay for all of the costs associated with this program through 2022. MHS is extremely grateful to the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation for their generosity and for truly making a difference in the lives of Maui’s pets.
On October 28, 2020, Maui Humane Society participated in the LARGEST PET RESCUE FLIGHT in HISTORY, organized by Greater Good Charities! Over 600 animals from various Hawaiian islands were transported on the Hercules C130 plane. Maui Humane Society had 76 cats and 9 dogs onboard.
How are animals chosen for Wings of Aloha program?
There are several factors we consider when choosing animals for the Wings of Aloha program. In general, we give priority to dogs and cats that have been with us at the shelter the longest, but for whatever reason are not being adopted. While all our animals receive the highest standard of care, some dogs and cats just don’t thrive in the shelter environment and start to exhibit behavioral symptoms over time. If foster care is not available for them locally, transferring them to rescues on the mainland where they will be cared for in a foster home setting is crucial to their well-being.
Where do the animals get sent?
Our Wings of Aloha pets are currently being transferred to participating partners in Washington State, California, Oregon, and beyond! If you are involved with a rescue or foster program and would like to partner with Maui Humane Society’s Wings of Aloha program, please contact our Transfer Coordinator at (808) 877-3680 ext. 3509 or email [email protected].
How often are animals transferred through Wings of Aloha?
From July 2019 to June 2020, Maui Humane Society transferred 514 animals through our Wings of Aloha program. That’s an average of 73 animals every month!
How can I support the Wings of Aloha program?
Maui Humane Society is always looking for temporary foster care for Wings of Aloha animals. Once an animal is selected for Wings of Aloha, they can be transferred into foster care until the date they are scheduled to fly to their destination, which creates immediate space at the shelter for other homeless pets in need. If you are interested in becoming a Wings of Aloha foster parent, contact us and let us know!
How can I help transport pets through Wings of Aloha?
Those flying from Maui to a West Coast city with Alaska Airlines can help by participating in MHS’ innovative program, Wings of Aloha: Alaska Angels! This program places pets traveling to their new homes on the continent with willing Alaska Airlines passengers who will chaperone their journey. Participation is easy, free, and saves the lives of Maui’s homeless pets.
How can rescue groups or foster programs on the continent help?
If you are involved with a rescue or foster program and would like to partner with Maui Humane Society’s Wings of Aloha program, please contact our Transfer Coordinator at (808) 877-3680 ext. 3509 or email [email protected].
Are you traveling to Maui in November? Are you flying on Alaska Airlines? That`s perfect! We need your help transporting pets to their new homes!
Our Alaska Angel sign-ups for November are very low... Please sign up to become an Alaska Angel at: mauihumanesociety.org/woa-aa
If your Alaska Airlines flight plans align with an animal’s travel plans, MHS’ Transfer Coordinator will contact you. If you don’t hear from us before your scheduled flight date, we were unable to match your flight with an animal transport, we hope you will try again in the future!
Mahalo for joining us in our lifesaving efforts!
#wingsofaloha #alaskaangels #kittens #mauihumanesociety #welovesavinglives
Ophelia was found lost in Wailuku in October of 2023, no one came looking for her and despite our best efforts we were not able to locate her ohana. When Ophelia first walked through our doors, she was the happies and smiliest girl! She was a Dog on Demand rockstar, warming the hearts of every beach buddy she got to hangout with, they reported "Ophelia is the sweetest dog ever she`ll stop everything for pets and love. She loves the car rides but wants more love and wants to come to the front seat. So sweet and lovely to everyone!"
A couple of months went by and she had zero adoption interest... But her beautiful smile and charming personality gained her a spot on our Wings of Aloha program! She flew to her new shelter on the mainland and soon after she got adopted! We recently got an update from her new family!
"Ophelia (now Amelia) came to live with me after being with a foster caregiver. My first ever dog died last year at the age of 21, was also a rescue, and I was not sure another dog would come into my life.
I am a psychotherapist with specialty of working with clients with complex trauma, and combat Veterans. When I met Amelia she came and sat with me, hugged me, and waited by the door after I left the foster’s home. Needless to say I adopted her and it has been meant to be. Amelia and I have gone to three classes of training, she goes to work with me every day, she is in training as a therapy dog, and has brought such comfort to my clients. When not working, we play with other dogs on the field, she has a huge smile when she chases a ball or her saucer, her ears flap in the breeze when we have the windows down driving.
I don’t know if anyone there remembers her but she is such a wonderful and happy girl, thank you so much for helping bring her to my life. I also have such wonderful memories of Maui so having an Island Girl in my life is so special.
Mahalo and Thank you for the wonderful work you do!"
We always knew that Amelia was special and that a special someone would adopt her, turns out that Amelia`s special someone was just a plane ride away.
#mauihumanesociety #wingsofaloha #welovesavinglives
✈️Are you traveling this summer? We need your help transporting kittens to their new homes!
If you are flying on Alaska Airlines from Maui (OGG) to Oregon (PDX) from 6/17 through 7/6, our kittens need you!
🐱We have the opportunity to send lots of kittens to transfer partners in Oregon and we need YOUR help!
🙏🏼Please sign up to become an Alaska Angel at: mauihumanesociety.org/woa-aa
👍🏼If your Alaska Airlines flight plans align with an animal’s travel plans, MHS’ Transfer Coordinator will contact you. If you don’t hear from us before your scheduled flight date, we were unable to match your flight with an animal transport, we hope you will try again in the future!💙
Mahalo for joining us in our lifesaving efforts!👏🏼
#wingsofaloha #alaskaangels #kittens #mauihumanesociety #welovesavinglives
Earlier this month, @catcaredurango made their way to Maui with one mission in mind, to help Maui’s cats. After hearing about the devastating Lahaina fires last year, Paidge (Founder of Cat Care Durango) wanted to do what she could to contribute to our cat community mission. She brought 12 of our adoptable cats back to her rescue/sanctuary in Colorado.
“We are so excited to see these cats hop on a plane and find their new Ohana’s on the mainland! We recently got an update on a few faces you might recognize: “Everyone is doing well! Pitufina is a favorite around here! She is so sweet and full of curiosity, she chirps like a bird and is constantly on the move. Ashton, who had a dental right before his trip, has really opened up as well now, he doesn’t specifically ask for attention but will certainly let you know he likes it. Tickles is figuring it out and is wandering around the place like she owns it. Clover is also a staff favorite, she will climb up in your lap and curl up for as long as you have time to hold her. Sunshine has been the slowest to come out of his shell, although he loves cheek and chin scratches and we are really hoping he comes out of his shell soon. Everyone is adapting well and we are very pleased with how far they have come in such a short period of time. Mud went home today! The couple who are adopting him will be the perfect match and we are so very happy for him!”
Mahalo to Cat Care Durango for stepping in to help our cats, many of these cats have been waiting to be adopted for months, some of them even years. And with your help, they will find their forever homes and help us make space to help more of Maui’s cats.
#mahalo #adopt #mauihumanesociety #wingsofaloha
