HI-EMA NEWS RELEASE: Greater Good Charities & Wings of Rescue to Airlift Over 600 Shelter Pets from the Hawaiian Islands to Mainland to Conduct the Largest Pet Rescue Flight in History
Posted on Oct 26, 2020 in Latest Department News, NewsroomMore than 600 Shelter Pets from the Hawaiian Islands to Board Paws Across the Pacific
Honolulu, HI (October 23, 2020) In coordination with the Hawai’I Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA), Greater Good Charities and Wings of Rescue to fly over 600 shelter dogs and cats from Hawaii to the U.S. mainland, making Paws Across the Pacific the largest pet rescue flight in history!
These healthy and loving pets are being moved from overcrowded pet shelters on five islands across the state and then flown to shelters in Washington state, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana where they’ll be quickly adopted into loving forever homes.
“Pet shelters in Hawaii are in a COVID-19 crisis. Normal operations have been affected by months of shut down, economic downturn, limited hours, and routine flights to mainland halted,” said Liz Baker, CEO of Greater Good Charities. “The Paws Across the Pacific flight is urgently needed to make space in Hawaii’s shelters for at-risk pets who otherwise wouldn’t be able to receive necessary care to survive.”
On October 28, Paws Across the Pacific will board more than 600 shelter dogs and cats on a chartered Hercules C-130 plane that will make stops on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii islands. Hawaii shelter partners include Kauai Humane Society, Hawaiian Humane Society, Lanai Cat Sanctuary, Hawaii Island Humane Society, Maui Humane Society, Aloha `Ilio Rescue, and Kauai SPCA.
The Hercules C-130 with the over 2,500 furry paws is scheduled to arrive at Seattle’s Boeing Field in the late morning on October 29, where pet shelters and rescue groups will pick them up, while 120 of the shelter pets continue their journey to Walla Walla and Coeur d’Alene. Mainland shelter partners include: PAWS, The NOAH Center, Seattle Humane, the Humane Society of Skagit Valley, Kitsap Humane, Oregon Humane, Southwest Washington Humane, Kootenai Humane Society, Seattle Area Feline Rescue (SAFR), Tracs, Spokanimal, Blue Mountain Humane Society, and Embrace a Discarded Pet Society.
The Paws Across the Pacific airlift is being conducted in coordination with the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association to ensure the safety and health of pets on the flight. In addition to flying pets to their new families, Greater Good Charities and The Animal Rescue Site are providing enrichment and critical medical supplies to assist the shelters and the sheltered pets of Hawaii.
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Paws Across the Pacific is made possible with support from the John R. Peterson Foundation, The Animal Rescue Site, Banfield Foundation, VCA Pet Charities, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, the Petco Foundation, Royal Canin and Healthy Paws Pet Insurance & Foundation.
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About Greater Good Charities
Greater Good Charities is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization, with a 100/100 rating on Charity Navigator, that works to amplify the good in the world to improve the health and well-being of people, pets, and the planet. Since 2007, Greater Good Charities has given over $300 million in cash and in-kind grants to over 5,000 charitable partners worldwide and funded projects in 121 countries. To date, Greater Good Charities has provided $18 million in support for COVID-19 disaster-relief, including cash grants, in-kind supplies, and programmatic support. To learn more about how Greater Good Charities is amplifying the good across the globe, please visit greatergood.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Mahalo,
Douglas Carroll
Information Specialist
Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (Hawaii-EMA)
3949 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, HI 96816
Work phone: 733-4300 x522
Cellular: 808-285-1516
ready.hawaii.gov