Hawaiian Humane Society
Newsletter People for animals. Animals for people.
January – March 2015
Adoption strengthens the family bond Nearly 8,000 animals found a family to call their own through the Hawaiian Humane Society’s adoptions program from July 2013 through June 2014. Matchmaking is a labor of love for the Society’s nine adoptions advisors who run a 7-daya-week center and lead more than 400 adoption events islandwide every year. The variety of animals that the Society offers includes cats, dogs, turtles, birds, rabbits, mice and more. And each animal comes with his own colorful story such as the incredibly talented homing pigeon who kept flying back to the shelter after he was adopted. The majority of animals adopted are dogs – 4,200 to be exact in the last fiscal year. The heartwarming story of the Sills family is an example of the many ways that adoption strengthens families. Dogs Peanut and Gypsy of the Sills family are rascals and the best of friends, though only knowing each
other for a couple of months now. Before Gypsy, the Sills family had adopted Trixster from the Humane Society. “What really made him special is that he would give hugs and just loved all dogs and people,” said Kathy Sills. “He was Peanut’s closest friend.” Unfortunately, last year, Trixster passed away. Trixster’s passing still brings Kathy and her son to tears. Peanut also took the loss hard. The Sills knew they wanted to bring another dog into their family, especially as a companion for Peanut. It took them more than a year to find Gypsy, who caught Kathy’s eye during one of her frequent visits to the Humane Society. The Sills instantly fell in love. Adopting Gypsy has made everyone happier. “Since we’ve had Gypsy, Peanut’s health and eating has improved and he’s more active,” Sills said.
One of nearly 3,000 cats adopted last year.
Gypsy is happier too. “I think that becoming part of our family has changed her life,” said Sills. “She has a best friend
Siblings Peanut and Gypsy share an unbreakable bond.
now in Peanut, and they are the center of our lives.” Humane Society Adoptions Manager Liz Croegaert says she sees happy endings like Gypsy and Peanut every day; about half of families looking to adopt a pet already have one at home. About 12 percent of Oahu’s people got their most recent pet from the Humane Society. “We offer such a wide variety of healthy, loving animals who need nothing more than to share your life and bring you unconditional love,” Croegaert said. “We hope the community will think first about all the wonderful animals here when considering where to get their next pet.”