Disaster Response
Hawaii wildfires: IFAW is on the ground helping Maui Humane Society
Hawaii wildfires: IFAW is on the ground helping Maui Humane Society
12 September 2023
The hall of historic Waiola Church in Lahaina and nearby Lahaina Hongwanji Mission are engulfed in flames along Wainee Street on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Photo: Matthew Thayer / The Maui News via AP
IFAW responders Kelly and Janice began work on the ground in Lahaina yesterday. They will assist the Maui Humane Society (MHS) and receive daily assignments based on the greatest needs. Throughout their shift they anticipate assisting with animal intake, data entry, and ensuring all animals are documented and in the process of being reunited with their owners or rehomed in accordance with MHS policies.
Many field teams from MHS continue to rescue, care for, and reunite pets with their families, in addition to providing food and water for community animals. Since the fires started about four weeks ago, Maui Humane Society has rescued over 400 animals from Lahaina and over 100 of those animals have been reunited with their families.
Recently, they reunited a beautiful chihuahua named Lucky with his mom after they had been separated for nearly a month. His mom, Chris, thought he did not survive when she lost her home to the fires. They also reunited Chris with one of her cats, Bunny, who miraculously survived the fires. “Everything is gone, but your pets are your ‘ohana. That’s all that’s important,” she said.
Tragically, many animals did not survive the fires and by tracking their microchips, MHS has been able to provide closure to those families. We join MHS in offering our heartfelt condolences to those experiencing this grief and loss.
Maui Humane Society is prioritizing reunification for animals and their families. If you or someone you know from Lahaina is searching for their pet, please visit Maui Humane Society’s website for more information.
Human search and rescue work continues
22 August 2023
Maui Humane Society is the local organization responsible for animals and continues to do incredible work helping as many people, pets, and lost animals as possible. While their team has not yet been allowed to access the burn zone, they are busy reuniting animals with their families. The organization says 1,014 reports have been filed by families that were separated from their pets.
Their teams recently reunited a young pup named Roman with his adopted family—they were separated when the wildfires swept through Lahaina. Roman was found a couple days later and brought to the Maui Humane Society in need of medical care for burns on his paws, legs, back, and body. Thankfully, Roman is microchipped and his family was contacted. They immediately came to pick him up and he is reportedly doing well.
Currently, IFAW is not deploying response teams to Maui. Human search and rescue work is still urgent and ongoing, and the investigation into the origin of the fires continues. Many of the hardest-hit areas are not accessible, although Maui Humane Society is arranging pet food drops wherever possible so pets in the burn zone will have access to food and water.
Maui Humane Society continues to express their sincere gratitude for the magnitude of support they’ve received from around the world. We are in contact with their team and remain ready to provide urgent support to them and other organizations when needed.
Support IFAW’s partners on the ground
14 August 2023
The Maui wildfires have unleashed a wave of destruction, engulfing precious habitats and posing a grave threat to the island's people, wildlife, and pets. As flames rage and the situation worsens, it's our responsibility to stand up and take action.
Animals and wildlife are vulnerable to natural disasters, even more so than humans, because they can’t evacuate. Here is what you can do to help our partner organization on the ground caring for animals:
The Maui Humane Society is a trusted partner of IFAW that is working tirelessly at the forefront of this crisis response to protect and care for animals in need. They have listed various ways to help and get involved on their website >>
Please keep checking back; we will be posting more ways to help as this tragic situation unfolds. Together, we can make a meaningful impact and ensure that this community has a chance to thrive once again.
IFAW monitoring heroic efforts in Hawaii wildfires
10 August 2023
As wildfires continue to ravage parts of Maui, Hawaii, IFAW is directly in touch with our partners on the ground. In the face of these devastating fires, which have led to mass evacuations and a surge in animal rescue efforts, our aim is to alleviate the strain on the ground as teams take on additional animals and expand their resources to ensure the safety and well-being of both pets and wildlife.
The wildfires on Maui have left no community untouched, with numerous families displaced from their homes and the lives of countless animals hanging in the balance.
Courageous staff and volunteers on the ground are working tirelessly to ensure that no animal is left behind. These rescuers are committed to providing shelter, medical attention, and comfort to animals displaced or injured by the wildfires.
We join our partners in a symbol of unity, at a time when climate change and disasters are affecting so many of us around the world. IFAW’s mission is to support organisations that are on the frontlines of disaster response, ensuring that both human and animal lives are safeguarded.
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