Oahu Animal Shelter Achieves Record 95 Percent Adoption Rate With New Foster Program
The Hawaiian Humane Society’s Oahu shelter has reached a milestone 95 percent adoption rate, the highest in the organization’s 135-year history, thanks to an innovative foster program launched earlier this year.
The “Ohana Foster Network” program, which began in January, has transformed how the shelter operates by placing animals in temporary homes while they await permanent adoption. The initiative has not only improved adoption outcomes but also freed up critical kennel space during traditionally busy periods.
“We’re seeing animals thrive in foster homes in ways that just aren’t possible in a shelter environment,” said Dr. Sarah Martinez, the Hawaiian Humane Society’s director of animal welfare. “Dogs are learning basic house training, cats are becoming more social, and both are showing their true personalities to potential adopters.”
The program currently operates with more than 300 active foster families across Oahu, from Kahuku to Hawaii Kai. Volunteers commit to caring for animals anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the animal’s needs.
Foster families receive comprehensive support, including all medical care, food, supplies, and 24/7 access to veterinary advice through the shelter’s helpline. The program particularly focuses on puppies and kittens too young for adoption, senior animals requiring extra care, and pets recovering from medical procedures.
Community Response Exceeds Expectations
What started as a pilot program with 50 families quickly expanded as word spread through Oahu’s neighborhoods. The shelter has seen participation from military families at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, retirees in East Honolulu, and young professionals in Kakaako.
Jennifer Chang, a Manoa resident who has fostered six dogs since March, says the experience has been rewarding beyond expectations. “I wasn’t ready to adopt permanently after losing my senior dog last year, but fostering lets me help animals while they find their forever homes,” Chang said. “Plus, my neighbors love meeting the foster dogs on our walks around the UH campus.”
The shelter has also partnered with local businesses to support the program. Several Honolulu pet stores offer discounts to foster families, while veterinary clinics in Kailua, Aiea, and Kaneohe provide backup medical services.
Addressing Oahu’s Pet Overpopulation
The success comes at a critical time for animal welfare on Oahu. The island’s isolated location means pets cannot be easily transferred to mainland shelters, making local adoption and spay-neuter programs essential for population control.
Before the foster program, the Hawaiian Humane Society typically maintained adoption rates between 75-80 percent. The 15-20 percentage point increase represents hundreds of additional animals finding homes rather than facing euthanasia.
The program has been particularly effective for pit bull-type dogs and senior cats, demographics that historically faced longer shelter stays. Foster homes allow these animals to decompress and display calmer behaviors that make them more appealing to adopters visiting weekend adoption events at locations like Petco in Keeaumoku and PetSmart in Kapolei.
Expanding Across the Hawaiian Islands
Success on Oahu has caught attention from animal welfare organizations across the Hawaiian Islands. The Maui Humane Society plans to launch a similar program next spring, while Big Island shelters are studying the model for potential implementation.
The Hawaiian Humane Society is also exploring specialized foster programs for animals requiring behavioral rehabilitation and those with medical needs that exceed typical foster capabilities. Plans include partnering with local veterinary colleges to provide advanced foster training workshops.
Dr. Martinez emphasizes that the program’s success relies on continued community support. “Every foster family makes a difference, but we’re always looking for more volunteers,” she said. “Whether someone can foster for a weekend or several months, there’s a way for them to help.”
The shelter continues accepting foster applications through its website and hosts monthly information sessions at its Moiliili location. For families hesitant about the commitment, the organization offers “sleepover” programs where volunteers take animals home for just one night, providing socialization and a break from kennel life.
As Oahu faces ongoing housing challenges that can complicate pet ownership, programs like Ohana Foster Network provide crucial support for the island’s most vulnerable animals while building stronger connections between neighbors who share a love for pets.
