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 and Oregon. If you are involved in a rescue or foster program and would like to partner with Maui Humane Society for the Wings of Aloha program, please contact our Transfer Coordinator at (808) 877-3680 ext. 3509 or email wingsofaloha@mauihumanesociety.org.
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!
What can I do to support Wings of Aloha program?
The 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!
E-mail your questions to wingsofaloha@mauihumanesociety.org or call (808) 877-3680 ext. 3509 –
Timber was found as a stray in Hana. He was found under a pile of wood in need of obvious medical attention. He made his journey from Hana to our shelter. 1 day later Lake was found stray and alone in Lahaina, a member of the community brought him to the shelter where he could get cleaned up and put up for adoption. Both kittens were both a little too young for adoption so they went into foster together, and that's where they created a bond like no other. Timber showed mobility issues due to a suspected brain trauma, he relied heavily on Lake to learn coordination skills. It was clear then that Timber needed Lake.
After a couple months in foster the two were finally ready for adoption! In February they flew on our Wings of Aloha program to the mainland. It didn't take long for Timber & Lake to make an impression at their new shelter. They were even featured on the local news channel! Watch Timber and lake on the news by visiting the sheltertails link in bio. After their silver-screen debut, they found their forever homes! We received this adoption update from their new Ohana!
"Hi, they are doing wonderfully. Lake is super playful but a major cuddle bug. Timber is getting to know the layout of downstairs. They both sleep in my room. Timber likes to sleep on the floor next to me. They are both napping now. They have eaten very well and used the litter box like pros. I’m working on getting a vet exam soon and purchasing health insurance for them. I got a baby gate for timber and a carrying sling for bonding and to carry him. I got a big rug for downstairs so he has something to hang on to. We love them so much. During the day my 16 yr old is home so timber won’t be alone and he can be monitored. Everything is great."
The Wings of Aloha program is made possible by the @duffieldfoundation . 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.
#mauihumanesociety #adoptdontshop #DCDFoundation #DCDF #wingsofaloha #woa #sheltertails
Last week we sent some of our dogs to Priceless Pet Rescue in Chino Hills California on our Wings of Aloha program. We are happy to report that 3 of the dog have already been adopted! Mala, Sammy J and Cooper have found their new Ohana's in California!
The Wings of Aloha (WOA) program encourages a strong working partnership with animal welfare groups on the mainland, and provides the highest standard for the health and safety for our shelter pets. Wings of Aloha gives them the second chance at a long and cherished life, that they truly deserve, by transferring them 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 Wings of Aloha program is made possible by the @duffieldfoundation, 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.
#mauihumanesociety #adoptdontshop #DCDFoundation #DCDF #wingsofaloha #woa
Elua’s journey to Puppy Bowl XIX all started with his miraculous story of survival, and that story (and success) began with Tessa….This is her story.
Join us on Saturday, February 12th at Gilligan’s Bar and Grill at 9am, to honor this life saving dog, and celebrate how she paved the way for Elua to go for the goal!
Tessa was fostered with Dr Fitz, and eventually flew on Wings of Aloha to start a new life…
The Wings of Aloha (WOA) program encourages a strong working partnership with animal welfare groups on the mainland, and provides the highest standard for the health and safety for our shelter pets. Wings of Aloha gives them the second chance at a long and cherished life, that they truly deserve, by transferring them 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 Wings of Aloha program is made possible by Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, 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.
@duffieldfoundation
#mauihumanesociety #fosteringsaveslives #adopt #puppybowl #DCDFoundation #DCDF #wingsofaloha #woa
Who picked Pickles? One of our transfer partners in our Wings of Aloha Program! We are happy to say that Pickles accomplished his one and only New Year's Resolution:
GET ADOPTED ✔️
Good luck Pickles! We are so proud!
The Wings of Aloha (WOA) program encourages a strong working partnership with animal welfare groups on the mainland, and provides the highest standard for the health and safety for our shelter pets. Wings of Aloha gives them the second chance at a long and cherished life, that they truly deserve, by transferring them 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 Wings of Aloha program is made possible by Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, 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.
#mauihumanesociety #adoptdontshop #DCDFoundation #DCDF #wingsofaloha #woa