The recent wildfires in Maui have been a living nightmare for many people and the environment, but also for the pets and animals calling the island home.
The deadliest U.S. wildfire in over 100 years has affected thousands of animals. Either by losing their homes, or their owners, suffering injuries, or perishing in the flames.
If you’re able to help, the Maui Humane Society has set up a link to take donations.
How many pets have been affected by the fires?
No official number has been released about how many pets have been affected by the fires. Most likely, the number is in the thousands. The Maui Humane Society estimates there are still 3,000 animals missing from Lahaina. Hundreds of pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, and more, have been injured, burned, or displaced by the fires.
Some animals have been very fortunate and were able to escape with minimal injuries and a lot of fear. While others have already been found with very severe burns, including one dog whose paws were burned to the bone.
How is the Maui Humane Society Helping Pets?
The Maui Humane Society (MHS) is doing everything they can to provide injured animals with medical care and reunite owners with their pets. There are veterinarians stationed at Napili Plaza and Lahaina Gateway. They are asking for emergency donations of food, litter, kennels, money, and anything that can help support the influx of pets in need.
They have set up a Facebook group called Maui Fires Pets Help Group in an effort to reunite pets with their owners as well as give people a place to communicate for assistance. The number of people coming together to help find and care for lost pets is beyond incredible. Including an amazing post, I saw this morning from Bob Bob, who has been searching for lost cats and dogs with their partner, taking pictures when possible and sharing them around in hopes of finding the owners.
Many feeding stations and shelters have been set up to draw out scared or injured animals that are still hiding so they can be rescued and given medical care.
You can find more information about the MHS and what they are doing, plus what you can do to help, on their website.
How Can You Help?
If you are in Hawaii and want to help, there are a few things you can do:
- Foster a lost pet.
- Donate food and other items.
- Volunteer in whatever way you can.
- If you find an injured or lost pet, contact the Maui Humane Society at 808-877-3680.
If you are not in Hawaii but want to help the pets from afar, there are some ways you can do that too! Here are some suggestions from the Maui Humane Society:
- Donate money to the Maui Humane Society or other reputable animal welfare organizations that are helping with the fire relief efforts.
- Donate items such as food, kennels, litter, toys, blankets, or medical supplies to the Maui Humane Society or other shelters that are taking in fire victims.
- Adopt or foster a pet from Hawaii that has been displaced by the fires. Contact the Maui Humane Society or Wings of Aloha for more information.
- Spread awareness about the situation and encourage others to help.
Nightmare No-One Expected
The Hawaii wildfires have been devastating for people and animals alike. The way the community and organizations have come together to help each other and care for pets that have been affected by the fires is truly heartwarming. Hats off to everyone involved, and keep it up!
