Few things in this world could make people want to leave a tropical vacation early, and one of them is the unbearable pain of missing your dog at home.
For tourists visiting Hawaii, several animal shelters have opened up the option for volunteers to “borrow” an adoptable dog for a day to go on a field trip.
There are three programs — Field Trips for Shelter Dogs at Kauai’i Humane Society, Beach Buddies at Maui Humane Society, and ʻĪlio Explorers at Hawaiian Humane Society — for visitors to partake in.
All three options require visitors to book a spot ahead of time, and they all have varying fees.
Kauai’i Humane Society offers the opportunity for free to residents but costs visitors at least $75, with the option to donate more to support the shelter. At Maui Humane Society, participation fees are also $75 for visitors. And the ʻĪlio Explorers program requires a donation to the shelter, costing locals $50 and visitors $150.
For visitors who want to be thoughtful about tourism in Hawaii, this is one way to give back to local communities. The tourism board for the islands suggests that visitors practice ethical tourism by supporting local businesses, being respectful of Hawaiian culture, conserving the ocean and natural resources, and volunteering when possible.
“If you’re a visitor to the Islands, here’s a way for you to give back in a way that’s really meaningful, because it’s more than just a fun day out exploring dog-friendly locations, hiking trails and beaches,” Brandy Shimabukuro, manager of communications for the Hawaiian Humane Society, told SFGATE.
“It’s a way for you to get a dog that would otherwise be languishing in a kennel.”
Studies regarding dog behavior and health have shown that short term excursion programs are especially beneficial for dogs in a shelter setting, which helps to reduce stress and cortisol levels, according to Hawaiian Humane Society.
Plus, it helps dogs get adopted.
When visitors gather information about a dog’s behaviors and preferences during their time together, it makes it easier for the shelter to match potential adopters with dogs.
Julie Schultz-Wallace, a Colorado woman who visited Hawaii with her family recently, is a devout dog mom at home, with four huskies in her care. When she was in Maui, she and her mom spent a day with Buck, a young adult sighthound mix from the Maui Humane Society.
“They gave us everything we needed for an adventure with him in a backpack: treats, water, poop bags, toys, and a handy map that showed the places they both recommended visiting, and places that we should stay away from because they were not dog-friendly,” she told Good Good Good.
“We took Buck to the beach with us for a fun afternoon, and he was a delight! As someone obsessed with dog behavior and training, I was really taking in how he existed in the world and noting the things he reacted and responded to while we were out, so I could share that info with the shelter.”
Schultz-Wallace said Buck came wearing an “adopt me” collar and bandana, which made it easy to interact with strangers on the beach who might end up being his perfect match.
In some cases, dogs even go home with their temporary owners. And outside of these day excursions, the Maui Humane Society has a partnership with American Airlines to send volunteer passengers home with adoptable pups to get them in forever homes in other states.
“Dogs belong in homes, and so by going out and getting socialization, it just makes them happier, better-adjusted dogs while they’re here, and then they’re going to have a higher chance of being adopted,” Lisa Labrecque, CEO of the Maui Humane Society, told SFGATE.
“That is the biggest way that [the Beach Buddies program] impacts length of stay, is if they then get adopted,” Labrecque added. “We have visitors who take out a dog, and then they have such a good time, they ask for the same dog again, and then the next thing we know, they’ve decided they want to adopt the dog.”
Borrow-a-dog programs are growing in popularity across the country, with options for tourists visiting beautiful areas, and for locals to try “Dogs Day Out” options at their neighborhood shelters. It’s a great fit for those who want to try on dog ownership for a day, or can’t commit to fostering long-term.
And for Schultz-Wallace, dog lover above all, it was an excursion that made for an even better vacation.
“We did our visit with Buck towards the end of our trip, so I was really missing my dogs,” she said. “Dog people get it. There is no feeling like existing with a dog by your side, even when you’re on vacation in one of the most beautiful places in the world.”
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Header images courtesy of Julie Schultz-Wallace
