Ron Bexel
Field Trips With Dogs Kauai – As travelers who are always looking for ways to give back to the local communities we visit, we were thrilled to learn about the Kauai Humane Society Shelter Dog Field Trip Program through a friend who recently adopted a Kauai dog after their trip. . We have always been passionate about dog adoption, especially after doing a dog rescue in the US and adopting our little Asher from Texas (both stories for another time).
This dog day is fully integrated into our schedule as a “rest day” where we go at our own pace without a fixed schedule and spend the whole day with our dog. We had such an amazing experience that we wanted to share our learnings, experiences and tips. We hope you’ll spend a day traveling too (or even if the program is available where you live) and maybe even adopt a rescue dog of your own!
Field Trips With Dogs Kauai
According to the Kauai Humane Society, there are more dogs on Kauai than there are dogs. Many of them were once bred to hunt wild boar. When hundreds were not found and they were too old, they were left on the street. With such a mild climate in Hawaii, dogs can survive on the streets for a while until they starve and are rounded up and brought to shelters. This problem has resulted in shelters getting bigger because there is not enough space to house more stray dogs and provide them with adequate care.
Kauai Humane Society (@kauaihumane) / X
The non-profit animal shelter was founded in 1952 and is the only outdoor animal shelter on Kauai. It takes in dogs, cats and other animals of all kinds and partners with no-kill shelters, which is important because many shelters are forced to euthanize select animals if they become overloaded. The Kauai Humane Society does a great job of engaging the community through various programs, even for dogs that are not adopted, such as boarding and day passes at the dog park. Every year this shelter helps about 3000 animals!
Location: 3-825 Kaumualii Hwy, Lihue, HI 96766. The refuge is approximately a 10-minute drive from the Kauai Lihue Airport. If it’s short, you can schedule it when you land or leave Kauai.
Cost: $40 donation to support Humane Society operations. There are different donation levels ($40-$300) that can include food for the dog or even sponsoring a dog trip to mainland Hawaii for the kids.
A Kauai Humane Society backpack comes with all the supplies you need for the day.
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We traveled to Kauai shortly after covid restrictions were lifted (September 2022) so some precautions are still in place. First, the staff chose a dog for us, whereas pre-Covid, trekkers could walk into the kennel and choose a dog they felt connected to. It was a bit disappointing but it made the day less emotional as I’m sure we would have been touched by seeing so many homeless dogs and wanted to give them all homes. They only allow very serious viewers on the island.
With reservations and donations made online, it was a smooth process once we entered the building. The staff asked us what our plans were for the day (hiking of course) and returned with Tiger, our new friend for the day.
Tigger was a beautiful dark orange/brown greyhound combination that made him look like a tiger from behind. As soon as our eyes met, we knew that we loved him! Tiger was very social with people from the beginning. We could tell he had done this many times before and was excited to meet new people who would take him on a new adventure. We later found out that Tiger was one of the dogs that had been at the shelter the longest (over 100 days when we met him).
We picked up Tiger around 11 am and when we finished the briefing and introduction, it was time for lunch. Seafood cravings called our name so we visited a hidden local gem called Konohiki Seafood and had the most amazing pork with poke bowl and fresh chirashi. Tiger waited patiently with Jeff outside the restaurant and within the first 15 minutes with the dog, we already had people asking about Tiger and the “adopt me” leash. We were able to easily share information about the Kauai Humane Society and spoiler alert – at the end of the day, we found a local couple (who we met at the restaurant) waiting for a dog to be adopted at the shelter!
Dog Outing Programs
After lunch, the Sleeping Giant Mountain (Nu Nu) is our choice of hike for the day. We wanted something tough and dog-friendly, so we eliminated this suggestion from the shortlist. The eastern route of the sleeping giant was 5.5 kilometers long and 293 meters high, it was considered difficult and it took about 2.5 hours. We only recommend this trail if the weather is good and it hasn’t rained recently, otherwise the trail will be very slippery.
Tiger took some time to walk with us. He would either go ahead or laugh behind him. As both dog parents and former handlers, we have experience in dog behavior and training. However, these skills are not necessary for a field trip as long as you have a basic knowledge of dog walking and can adapt to the dog and read its body language.
Finally, Tiger got into a rhythm, but the weather was so humid and hot that even this Hawaiian dog couldn’t walk more than 3 kilometers! We turned back even though we were almost at the top because it was important for Tigger to feel safe and comfortable with us. While Tiger was drinking and eating, the staff told us that most dogs don’t use the bathroom when they travel because they are a little nervous. Tiger proved them right and we didn’t have to chase him.
During the trip, Tiger was a magnet. People would come to us and talk about it. It was an organic way to spread the word about the Kauai Humane Society. We didn’t see any other dogs on the trail, which was helpful because it’s important that shelter dogs don’t encounter other dogs.
Seattle Humane To Take Pets From Kauai Humane Society
The main trail was about a 30-minute drive from the shelter, but we started our hike an hour before the scheduled time. Lihue rush hour traffic is poorly represented on Google Maps. Our advice is to return early to avoid a late penalty. Upon returning to the Kauai Humane Society, we filled out a short form detailing Tigger’s likes, dislikes, and behavior to help the staff gather up-to-date information for future adopters.
It was hard to say goodbye to Tiger but we knew he would be accepted because he was a good boy. We recently checked the Humane Society website and found out that he was adopted two months after seeing him. Our hearts are so full after the experience that we repeat it again in a heartbeat.
What do you think of this inexpensive Kauai day trip? Will you be taking a dog field trip? As my husband and I were planning how to spend our last day on Kauai, I found a travel brochure for the Shelter Dog Field Trips sponsored by the Kauai Humane Society. For a small donation, people can take a baby-ready dog out for a day (or more) of hiking, hopping on the beach, or even getting shaved ice! Since we’ve been out of South Korea for two weeks, we’ve been feeling homesick and missing our precious Yorkie mix, Yogi. We are in dire need of some animal therapy and a dog day was the perfect way to enjoy our last day at Garden Island.
The Kauai Humane Society is located 10 minutes west of Lihue. The knowledgeable staff keep the shelter healthy and clearly take pride in their day’s work. Unlike animal shelters in Southern California, which house large numbers of stray Chihuahuas and pit bulls, Kauai is mostly occupied by hunting dogs. I have noticed a popular trend of Airedales, Whippets and Hound mixes. It appears that these particular breeds were bred and trained to raise wild pigs that were common on Kaua’i long ago. When the dog grew too old to take care of itself, it unfortunately became a stray. This is one of the reasons Kauai shelters struggle to care for so many homeless dogs. Founded in 1952, the shelter takes in about 3,000 animals a year!
Kauai Humane Society Offers A Program Where You Can Take Shelter Dogs Out For A Day Field Trip. They Provide Everything The Dog Will Need In A Day. Everyone Meet Po’boy The Sweetest Dog ❤️#kauai
Please note: Below are opening hours until January 2024. You can check the Kauai Humane Society website for the most up-to-date information. Open Friday through Wednesday, temporarily closed Thursday at 11:00 a.m
