Interested in volunteering? Why not volunteer with animals? At the local Hawaiian Humane Society, there are tons of opportunities for community service, from working with cats to helping animals find new homes.
The Hawaiian Humane Society provides a safe haven for animals that have been either surrendered or found as strays. Volunteers and staff work together to create a safe and comforting environment because, like humans, animals have feelings, too.
“I learned that it’s not just like working at Target, where you’re selling clothes,” said Dana, an adoption representative at the Moiliili campus of the Hawaiian Humane Society. “These animals have emotional needs that have to be met, and you’re trying to find them a home perfect for them.”
Dana, and many other staff and volunteers, experience similar feelings when it comes to taking care of animals. As a volunteer myself, being surrounded by animals who need a loving home has taught me more about animals than I had expected. I’ve witnessed firsthand just how emotional animals can be—some enjoy being petted, while others prefer their space.
Anne Mukai couldn’t agree more. As an optimistic and curious kid, she would often go to the Hawaiian Humane Society with her mother. Her family adopted her childhood dog who lived with her family for 16 years. Mukai also adopted other animals, such as mice and fish.
Her family’s relationship with the Humane Society encouraged her to apply for internships during the summer. Now as the current manager of the education board, she expresses her love for non-profit organizations and her passion for animals and finding them the perfect home.
“My boss, who was overseeing me while I was an intern actually reached out to me after I graduated and said that she had this job that she thought I’d be perfect for…and overtime, as the department changed and grew, and as I had growth in the department, too, I’ve been promoted to manager,” Mukai said.
Over time, new volunteers have come and gone, leaving with a newfound appreciation for animals. The Humane Society has also played a significant role in positively impacting the lives of its clients.
Through interviews with adopters, I learned several reasons why they chose the Humane Society and why they decided to adopt or foster. Some even admitted they were surprised by the animal they brought home.
“We were originally looking for a cat because the attention span is a little more suitable (and because) we work full time,” an adopter said. “We just happened to be looking at dogs while we were waiting for someone to talk to about getting a cat, and we happened to pass by Hulk, and we were like ‘yeah, we’ll take Hulk.’”
The Hawaiian Humane Society offers education about animals and volunteer opportunities for those in need of service hours. These hours can be spent caring for puppies, building connections with Humane Society staff and volunteers, and developing a deeper appreciation for the animals in the shelter.
For more information about volunteering, visit the Hawaiian Humane Society’s website here.
