What is the mission of PAWHI?

Our mission is to connect Big Island Hawaii’s shelter pets with loving homes both on this island and on the mainland, giving them a second chance at life.

How can I adopt an Aloha Pet?

Aloha pets are received at our partner shelters in Berkeley, Portland, and Seattle where they are prepared for their forever homes. Here are the links to our partner’s adoption pages where you can find your new best friend:

Berkeley Humane Society: https://berkeleyhumane.org/adopt/

Portland

Seattle

What can I do to support PAWHI?

1. Become an Animal Flying Companion and tell us when you are going to the mainland on Alaska Air or Hawaiian Air.

2. Donate an airline crate – size 300-400

3. Donate leashes, collars and kennel door bowls.

4. Pay for a dogs flight ($150) or health certificate & rabies vaccine ($220). Email ann@pawhi.org to learn more or donate through the Three Ring Ranch donation site at: https://store.threeringranch.org/collections/monetary-donations

Are donations to PAWHI tax deductible?

Yes, Paws Across Water Hawaii (PAWHI) operates under the Three Ring Ranch Exotic Animal Sanctuary 501 C 3 umbrella. As a registered nonprofit, your contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Aren’t the mainland shelters already full, isn’t this just moving the problem?

Mainland shelters do fill up but have far more space available to help place big island pets in forever homes than we do. Most of the time there is space and we only send a couple dogs at a time to any one rescue. We are not overburdening them and putting local pets in jeopardy.
We send the type of dogs that they do not have in that area. For example, we never send German shepherds or huskies to the Bay Area where they have so many, but if we send greyhound or whippit crosses to the Bay Area those are a rarity and get adopted easily. When we send an extra adorable pet or one with extensive training to any rescue, they promote it through social media and adoption events. When multiple people come hoping to adopt that one dog, obviously only one can take it home, so the potential adopters end up adopting another dog from the rescue. This is a win-win for everyone.

Why do you only use Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines?

Alaska and Hawaiian are the only airlines that will fly a dog in cargo from Hawaii to the US mainland. It used to be all airlines did, but after Covid when restrictions went in place due to staffing, the only airlines that continued flying pets were Alaska and Hawaiian. We would hope that someday United, Delta and American would resume pets in cargo. They have not as of yet.

Why do the animals need to leave the island to be adopted?

PAWHI does not only fly animals off Island. We do quite a bit of community placement and screening for homes in Hawaii. We have had over 430 animals transferred to us from Animal Control since we began. Approximately half of those animals have been flown off island. Anytime a member of the public sees a dog on the County of Hawaii found animal listings and would like to adopt it they are welcome to reach out to us. Potential adopters are screened by us to be sure that they can meet the pet’s needs. They are then referred to the County of Hawaii adoption coordinator officer for processing. We also do screening for potential adopters identified by the County of Hawaii Animal Control staff. This can include behavioral screening of the potential pet to be sure that it will fit in its new home.

Does it cost me anything to be an Animal Flying Companion?

The AFC can offer to cover the animal’s flight if they so choose. However, the normal situation is that the animal’s flight, healthcare certificate, and rabies vaccination is paid for by PAWHI.

What if the volunteer at the arrival airport does not show up?

This is a good question and one new flyers often ask. We are in very close contact with the mainland rescue including texting them at the time. The dog is checked in at Kona. We verify that the pick up hero is going to be there eight hours later, ready and waiting. Not only does the flyer have the full contact information for the pick up hero, they have a back up name and cell phone number. The backup person is also notified that the pet is airborne.

Do I need to take the animals to the airport?

The animals arrive at the airport by a PAWHI team member along with all of their paperwork, their crate, and their travel bag.

Where do I meet Ann at the Kona airport to put the animal on the plane?

Ann or another PAWHI team member will always arrive at the curb directly in front of the check-in counter. The AFC will be reached by text as soon as the dog pulls up to the curb. It is important that the AFC arrive on time for check-in.

Where do I meet the volunteer who will accept the animal at the arrival airport?

At the baggage carousel there is a desk set to one side for oversized baggage and live animals. Unless previously arranged, the Rescue pick up hero will be standing at that counter. Sometimes an AFC will offer to bring the dog to the curb to meet the pick up hero. This is totally up to the AFC.

What if my flight is delayed?

We are always watching the airline schedule to see if a flight is delayed. If an AFC is notified that their flight will be delayed they do need to let Ann know so that the dog is not brought to the airport too soon.
If there is a delay on the runway or in route the pick up hero will know about it since they are also monitoring the flight online.

Only one time in our history have we had a flight diverted to Honolulu for a mechanical issue. Once the airline knew that the plane was not going to fly that day, the dog was removed from the hold and the couple was put up at a dog- friendly hotel overnight. Because we pack a travel bag for each dog in case of emergency the AFC had everything they needed.

What if I really like this pet and want to adopt it?

This has happened several times now. If an AFC or their family is interested in adopting the dog that flew with them we encourage them to let us know immediately. They already have the contact information for the rescue that has accepted the dog. The rescue will put that dog on hold and begin to screen per their own policy. Both times the AFC or their family were interested in a dog the adoption went through without a hitch.