There are some months in dog rescue in Hawaiʻi that feel different from the rest.
August was one of those months.
When Hurricane Lala headed our way, we watched the weather and prepared for a possible direct hit to our southern side of the island. We filled water buckets, put away anything small that could become a problem in the wind, and moved all 50 dogs from the outdoor kennels into two air-conditioned rooms.
It was a tight squeeze, but thankfully, our animals and property made it through the rain and wind safely.
As the storm moved through our community, our concern quickly turned to the people of Ka’u.Flash flooding caused parts of the highway and bridges to collapse, leaving the town filled with mud and cut off from access.
We were reminded again that animal rescue in Hawaiʻi isn't always about taking an animal in, it’s often just as much about helping them stay where they belong.
We received a call from Vibrant Hawaii who was coordinating disaster-response resource distribution to affected areas, and they needed pet food. Aloha Ilio Rescue’s K9 Pet Food Pantry distributed 15,000 lbs of food last year, and we were ready to support Ka’u however we could.
Since access was restricted, we met over two days with pallets of dog and cat food, working with a team to divide the food into smaller portions for distribution.
Meanwhile, we reached out to you and asked for help. The outpouring of love and generosity was incredible. You showed up with Clorox, towels, treats, and donations. This disaster response was truly a team effort and we’re so grateful to have you by our side.
One of the things about a hurricane is that the immediate danger may pass, but the effects don't disappear overnight.
We're still responding to requests for help. Someone contacted us the other day about a cat that had been displaced during the hurricane. A family had subsequently taken the cat in and decided to give it a permanent home. They just needed help getting the cat fixed, so we’re covering the surgery and taking the opportunity to microchip and vaccinate as well.
It's a small example of something we see all the time in Big Island animal rescue. Circumstances change. Animals find themselves in new situations. People step up. And sometimes, all someone needs is a little help getting to the next step.
Aloha ʻĪlio Rescue is known for rescuing and rehoming over 5000 dogs, but our work has always reached further into the community.
We support pet owners by providing access to free spay and neuter services, offer emergency veterinary grants, support cats through TNR and spay/neuter support, and assist owners who are trying to do the right thing but may not know where to turn.
In the first six months this year, we’ve funded 340 spay/neuter surgeries for dogs and cats. We’ve also contributed to or covered 88 emergency veterinary procedures when families were faced with an unexpected bill and heartbreaking decision.
Tahoe is a four-year-old, eighty-pound poi dog from Hilo. Earlier this year he was injured by a feral pig, badly enough that he needed emergency surgery to close the wound. His family immediately called Aloha ʻĪlio for help. Dr. Imaino-Hata repaired the laceration at Island Veterinary Clinic that morning. Tahoe went home the following day to his loving family who were so grateful to have their boy back.
We believe affordable veterinary care and accessible community resources can make a real difference in the lives of Hawaiʻi's pets.
If you have a dog or cat that needs help, please reach out to us. We can't promise that we will always have the answer, but we'll do our best to look into the resources available and help you figure out where to start.
Our first Pet Calendar Contest closed on August 22, and here is the best part: every pet entered reached the ten-vote minimum which means all 61 of them will appear in the 2027 Aloha ʻĪlio Rescue calendar!
Almost 300 people participated! Thank you to everyone who entered a pet and to everyone who cast a vote.
Congratulations to our top twelve, who each earned a full month, and to Gus, our 2027 cover dog winner!
Together you raised $11,174 for Big Island animals: rescue, adoptions, spay and neuter, emergency vet care, and food for pets whose families need a hand.
The calendar will be available in November!
Aloha ʻĪlio Rescue is a nonprofit Hawaii dog rescue serving animals and families across Hawaiʻi Island. Our work includes dog rescue and adoption, spay and neuter services, veterinary assistance, community outreach, and connecting pet owners with available resources.
Whether you're looking to adopt a dog in Hawaiʻi, foster, volunteer, donate, or find help for a pet, Aloha ʻĪlio Rescue is here to help connect our community with the resources they need.
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