Thousands of pets have been reported missing after the devastating fires that ripped through the Hawaiian island of Maui last week, killing more than 100 people.
According to Maui Humane Society, it is estimated that more than 3,000 pets are missing in Lahaina. Hundreds of pets that have been found are receiving medical attention for severe burns to their bodies and smoke inhalation.
Dr. Lisa M. Labrecque, CEO of the animal shelter, told a news conference on Monday, August 15, that they have received numerous reports of pets in areas where the fire destroyed thousands of homes and cars.
Response teams have placed food and water in those areas to attract animals that may be frightened while veterinary teams have been set up around the island to provide medical attention to the animals.
A shelter in Puʻunēnē has received 52 live animals from Lahaina, including 12 that are hospitalized at the wound clinic, Labrecque said at the news conference.
The Animal Disaster Response Team is also working to help animals that are missing or deceased. Team members are scanning the dogs for their microchips in hopes of identifying the pet’s owners.
Dogs and cats aren’t the only ones on the island who need help. Labrecque said field service crews have been providing food and water to horses, sheep, pigs and goats in West Maui and the Upcountry.
Labrecque said a 500-gallon water trailer and three large animal feed trailers were brought to West Maui.
The Humane Society posted a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, sharing ways people can help, including making donations to help with medical procedures and delivering pet supplies like food and jalus.
With the help of Greater Good Charitiesthe Humane Society of Maui has transported pets from the shelter to other Hawaiian islands.
Greater Good Charities announced in a post on X that with the help of Southwest Airlines it will send emergency supplies to the historic island of Lahaina and evacuate pets to the state of Oregon.
