The Maui Humane Society plans to close its overnight receiving kennels next month. Starting April 1, all stray and owner-surrendered animals must be brought into the shelter during normal business hours, Monday through Saturday, 11am-6pm. In the case of an after-hours emergency, you can still call MHS Humane Enforcement at 808-877-3680 ext. 211 for them to pick up a stray animal.
MHS officials say that in recent years, the animal sheltering industry has moved away from overnight receiving kennels, otherwise known as drop-boxes. “We feel strongly about the work we do and the animals we help,” said Jerleen Bryant, CEO of MHS. “Having a place for animals to be left in the middle of the night with no information, sometimes sick and injured, is not in the animal’s best interest. Closing the overnight kennels will require anyone who is turning in an animal to come into the shelter or contact Humane Enforcement to schedule a pick-up which in turn, will provide us with important information about the animals being surrendered into our care.”
Last year, 1,062 animals were dropped off to the MHS after hours. Sixty-three percent (676) did not have any information about the animal, its health or circumstances, according to the MHS. Any and all information–such as where the animal was found–could be useful in helping return an animal to its home. In the case of owner-surrenders, having medical records, and behavior and personality details can help move animals through the admissions process more efficiently and help get them into a new adoptive home faster, according to MHS.
For more information about surrendering your pet or what to do if you have found (or lost) an animal, please visit the Maui Humane Society website at Mauihumanesociety.org.
Photo courtesy of Maui Humane Society
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