HOMELESS DOGS

I first learned about the Hawaii Dog Foundation (“HDF”) in early 2004 while organizing the Grand Opening of the Moanalua Dog Park. HDF was brand new at that time, but after just one conversation with founder Mike Teehan, I could tell the organization was fully committed to its mission of “No More Homeless Dogs in Hawaii.” It was inspiring to hear Mike talk about his desire to help lost or abandoned dogs in need. The Hawaii Dog Foundation believes that every dog deserves a second chance. With its “no kill” philosophy, HDF fills a valuable need by working with dogs other animal welfare organizations would deem “unadoptable.”

In its first year of existence, the Hawaii Dog Foundation has helped rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for nearly 100 dogs. HDF takes in homeless dogs regardless of their condition, pays all the medical bills during their recovery, and screens potential adopters before placing the dogs into permanent homes. This is a daunting task, as the supply of homeless dogs seems to far exceed the demand; and it is often difficult to find patient families willing to rise to the challenges that some of these dogs initially present. The rescues come from all kinds of unimaginable situations and each case is unique – but the common refrain heard from the adoptive families is how happy they are with their new best friends, dogs who just needed a little extra love and support during their transition into new, happy lives with loving guardians.
The most amazing thing about the Hawaii Dog Foundation is that they have been doing this difficult work without a physical location. The “virtual shelter” consists of a network of compassionate people linked up through email, phone calls, and a website. Through a Yahoo news group, HDF has built its membership to approximately 100 people who stay connected and answer the pleas for foster homes, permanent homes, supplies, money, professional services, etc. Exceptionally competent leadership by HDF president Renita Chang and treasurer Mike Teehan, as well as the hard work of HDF board members and volunteers, has made this a non-profit organization to be proud of.

If the Hawaii Dog Foundation had its own shelter, it would be able to save hundreds of more dogs. Whether a storefront location with a few kennels, or 30 acres in the country, a real shelter would ensure no dogs are ever turned away for lack of space. If you can help make this dream come true, please call 220-8165.

In the meantime, we can help HDF accomplish its mission of “No More Homeless Dogs in Hawaii” through donations of goods and services, money, time….and by opening our homes to these very special dogs! We can also educate ourselves and others about pet overpopulation, backyard breeding, animal cruelty and neglect, and how these all lead to the vast numbers of homeless dogs in Hawaii. Please visit www.HawaiiDogFoundation.org or call 220-8165 to learn more about the organization and how you can help.

Click here to view a recent mailing which tells a touching story of a sweet dog who was saved by HDF named Maggie and a battered homeless dog named Lazarus that needs your help today!

Betty Kamida, a paralegal at a downtown law office, became interested in animal welfare issues through her dogs Moses and Sweetie. Moses, a large black retriever mix, led Betty and her husband, Clayton, to lobby for the first City & County-sponsored dog park in Honolulu. With help from the Moanalua Gardens Community Association, the Moanalua Dog Park was opened in February 2004. Moses also quite literally led the Kamidas to adopt a second dog, Sweetie (Sweetie's photograph is featured on dogtok.com's Contribute page). From 2002-2003, Moses was a volunteer in the Human-Animal Bond Program at Tripler Army Medical Center. One day, when Moses and Betty arrived at Tripler to visit the patients, an elderly couple told them about a feral dog that had been living on the grounds of the hospital, apparently for quite some time. This “wild” dog was subsequently rescued, and after 7 long years living alone, Sweetie became a cherished member of the Kamida family. Her story touched many hearts, and her transformation demonstrated how special every dog is, especially the homeless ones.

would like to thank local animal activist, Betty Kamida, for sharing her story with us. If you would like to contribute an article of interest for publication on 's Focus page, please e-mail us at: bark@dogtok.com.