HIHS Offers Animal Safety Tips During Darby

Big Island Now stock photo, July 2106.

The Hawaii Island Humane Society has a few tips to help keep animals safe during and after Tropical Storm Darby.

Bring pets inside. Animals have instincts about severe weather changes and may isolate themselves if they are afraid. Bringing them inside early can stop them from running away. Never leave a pet tied up during a storm.
Make sure your pet is wearing a collar and ID tag.

Separate dogs and cats. Even if your dogs and cats normally get along, the anxiety of an emergency situation can cause pets to act irrationally.

If you find a stray pet during the storm, please provide it shelter and then drop it off when weather conditions clear at one of three islandwide Hawaii Island Humane Society shelters in Kea‘au, Waimea and Kona.

HIHS encourages all pet owners to be safe and well prepared. If you are advised to evacuate or do not trust the stability of your home, consider your pet’s safety.

The following are emergency pet-friendly shelters.

• Honoka‘a High & Intermediate
• Kalanianaole Elementary
• Ka‘u High
• Kea‘au High
• Kealakehe High
• Konawaena High
• Pāhoa High
• Waiakea High

Come prepared with these items:

• Crate
• Leash
• Food
• Water
• Bowls
• Towel
• Litter and litter box
• Identification
• Medication (if applicable)

These shelters are for safety only and will not have the comforts of home. Pet owners need to stay with their pet and provide the necessary care.

For more information on shelters, click here.

We are also seeking volunteers to help us staff these emergency shelters. If you are a pet owner who is evacuating to these shelters and are willing to help, see the staff member present.

After the storm, walk pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home. After a disaster, animals can become aggressive or defensive – monitor their behavior.

Learn more at HIHS.org or call 808-329-1175.