Latest news with #BrandyShimabukuro
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hawaiʻi's 5 most commonly surrendered dog breeds
HONOLULU (KHON2) — In Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiian Humane Society has observed a concerning trend in pet surrenders. We spoke to Brandy Shimabukuro, the communications director for HHS. She reported that from July 2024 through May 2025, certain dog breeds and mixes have been surrendered more frequently than others. Understanding these patterns can help prospective pet owners make informed decisions and contribute to addressing the shelter capacity crisis. According to Shimabukuro, the five most commonly surrendered dog breeds or mixes at their Oʻahu campuses are: Terriers make up 32.9% of surrendered breeds. Chihuahua short coat constitutes 10.9%. Pit bull terriers make up 8.7%. American pit bull terriers make up 6.5%. Small mixed breeds under 24 pounds constitute 4.7%. Collectively, terrier-type breeds account for a significant portion of the intake at 50.1%. Additionally, various mixed breed categories by size represent 11.0% of dog explained, 'We see a lot of, for lack of another term, terrier mixes.' This means one out of every three dogs dropped off at HHS shelters is a terrier or a mix of one. These numbers come directly from pet owners. 'We're relying on information that they give to us,' she said. 'So, the numbers that I pulled, and the statistics that I pull, the percentages that I shared with you, are numbers that were relayed to us from owners or guardians who had to surrender them into our care.' It's not just one kind of terrier, either. 'Terriers and the label terrier are really diverse. You could think of it as like the umbrella term for a whole host of different breeds,' explained Shimabukuro. 'That could be rat terriers. Fox terriers, Jack Russell terriers. It could be Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terrier mixes.' Altogether, terrier-type breeds make up to a little more than 50% of all dog surrenders at the Oʻahu campuses. The primary reasons for pet surrenders in Hawaiʻi include: Lack of affordable pet-friendly housing: Many families are unable to find housing that allows pets, leading to difficult decisions. Financial hardship: Economic challenges make it difficult for some owners to care for their pets. Relocation: Some families are leaving Hawaiʻi and cannot take their pets with them. These factors contribute to the high number of surrenders and the ongoing shelter capacity crisis. Many dogs, especially terriers and pit bulls, need more than just food and shelter. They need training, attention and exercise. 'If you know that you're getting a breed that is a working breed that is used to having a job, is highly intelligent and very active, you're going to have to provide a level of exercise and enrichment that is unique to them,' advised Shimabukuro. 'A dog that is not having their needs met, and I mean physically and mentally, is a dog that's ultimately going to start to have behavioral issues.' These behaviors can lead to even more surrenders. People often choose a dog based on how it looks. But that can lead to trouble later on. 'What I'm really hoping people take away from this article is maybe think about what's best for your lifestyle, your home and your living situation,' said Shimabukuro. Choosing the right dog means thinking about what kind of life you live and whether you have the time and energy to care for a pet properly. Certain breeds may face challenges that make them more likely to be surrendered: Terriers: Known for their high energy and strong prey drive, terriers require constant training and stimulation. Chihuahuas: Despite their small size, Chihuahuas can be assertive and may require experienced handling. Pit bull terriers: Often subject to breed-specific legislation and public misconceptions, this breed leads to potential challenges in rehoming. Understanding these breed-specific needs can help potential owners assess compatibility with their lifestyle. 1. Don't choose a dog just because it's cute: A terrier puppy might look adorable; but looks don't tell you anything about energy, behavior or needs. Know the breed's history and whether you can handle it. 2. Do research on dog breeds before you adopt: Learn about the breed's personality, activity level, intelligence and common behavior issues. 'While I don't believe in breed stereotypes, I advocate very strongly against breed stereotypes,' Shimabukuro said. 'I do, however, believe in responsible pet ownership and understanding the role that genetics play with that pet in your home.' 3. Make sure your housing allows pets: This is the number one reason people surrender their animals in Hawaiʻi. If you rent, double-check your lease and talk to your landlord. 4. Be realistic about your time and energy: Dogs need daily exercise and mental activity. This is even more important for high-energy breeds. If your life is too busy to give that, you may need to reconsider getting a dog. 5. Plan for the long-term: Dogs live for many years. Moving, having kids or changing jobs are all common life changes that can affect your ability to care for a pet. Think ahead. 6. Understand that giving up a dog is hard for everyone: Most people who surrender a dog don't want to. It's a painful choice. 'Obviously, we're relying on owners,' said Shimabukuro. 'If they have to make the difficult decision to surrender their pets to us.' Understanding the weight of that decision can lead to more compassion—and fewer surrenders in the future. You can click to learn more. The Hawaiian Humane Society continues to advocate for responsible pet ownership and encourages prospective pet owners to consider factors beyond appearance when choosing a breed. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 Ensuring compatibility with one's lifestyle and living situation is crucial for a successful and lasting pet-owner relationship. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hawaiian Humane Society opening opportunities for teens
HONOLULU (KHON2) — It's never too late or too early to start volunteering. Many people associate the Hawaiian Humane Society with adoptions, but the organization also offers several education programs throughout the year to help promote responsible pet ownership and volunteer opportunities for youth. BBB: Scammers can crash your hopes for a budget-friendly Spring vacation 'Each year, the Hawaiian Humane Society hosts a number of education programs to inspire the next generation of animal welfare champions and build towards a more compassionate community here on Oahu,' said HHS communications manager Brandy Shimabukuro. 'For example, we're currently hosting our Mission PAWsible Art Contest, which encourages keiki in grades 6-12 to submit artwork about the importance of pet fostering for a chance to win incredible prizes, which we previewed last month. The deadline for Mission PAWsible is coming up on Monday, March 24, so you still have time to enter online at says there are also other opportunities throughout the year for Oahu youth to get involved with the Hawaiian Humane Society. 'We're about to open up applications tomorrow for our Teens4Animals Council! Teens4Animals is an annual educational program with the Hawaiian Humane Society that invites high school students on Oahu to develop, promote, and lead school and community animal welfare initiatives over the course of a one-year term. During their year of service, they will do a deep dive into the many ways that the humane treatment of all animals affects all of us through invaluable opportunities like shadowing veterinary surgeries at Hawaiian Humane's shelter clinic, exploring ethical farming practices at Kualoa Ranch, studying Hawaii's native plants and animals at the Bishop Museum, and learning the importance of responsible fishing practices as well as how to protect local marine life and be steward of Hawaii's unique and at-risk marine ecosystems at Hanauma Bay.' Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news You or someone you know can apply online at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Adoption fees will be waived at the first ever MINI Paws Big Hearts adoption event
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaiian Humane Society's Manager of Communications, Brandy Shimabukuro, and MINI of Hawaii's Store Manager, Miles Escajeda, joined Wake Up 2Day with details on an upcoming adoption event.'We are thrilled to partner with MINI of Hawaii to turn their Kapolei showroom into a pet paradise! This Saturday, February 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., we're hosting our first ever MINI Paws Big Hearts adoption event in partnership with MINI of Hawaii. Everyone is invited to join us to meet Hawaiian Humane's dogs and cats who will be available for adoption on-site and enjoy some delicious grinds. Plus, the best part? MINI of Hawaii is covering all of the adoption fees, not just at the event, but at both our Mōʻiliʻili and Kosasa Family campuses as well! To learn more about this and other upcoming events, visit Brandy shared an introduction, to an adoptable and loving senior dog, Kona, 'Meet Kona! Kona is a 9-year-old, 28-lb terrier mix who has been waiting for a home since November 2024. Sadly, Kona's previous owner passed away and her remaining family was no longer able to provide for her care. She came into our Mōʻiliʻili Campus having tested positive for heartworm disease, a serious, but preventable illness that is spread by infected mosquitos. She thrived under our Veterinary Services' team's tender, loving care and just finished her round of heartworm treatment and is now ready to live her best life in a loving home!' Hawaiʻi's top 5 most popular flowers for Valentine's 'While this sweet senior girl can be a little shy at first, it doesn't take long for this gentle, affectionate pup's personality to shine. She'll quickly become your constant, loving companion, preferring to cuddle up by your side or tagging along with you to dog-friendly cafes, parks and beaches. This resilient girl has been through a lot in her nine years, and she definitely deserves a loving home to live out her golden years. You can meet Kona at our Mōʻiliʻili Campus daily from 11 am to 6 pm.' Miles hopes that this collaboration through MINI of Hawaii will bring joy to the public. 'MINI of Hawaii is all about bringing joy to our community, and what brings more joy than the unconditional love of a furry family member? Plus, our team members are huge animal lovers. The Hawaiian Humane Society finds loving homes for more than 7,800 animals each year, and MINI of Hawaii wanted to support their work in a meaningful way by sponsoring all of the adoption fees, not just at this event, but also on that day (Saturday, February 15th) at Hawaiian Humane's two campuses as well. Our goal is for every dog and cat at the event to find a loving home on Saturday. We invite everyone to join us, meet Hawaiian Humane's adoptable dogs and cats of all ages, enjoy some ʻono grinds and get to know our friendly, knowledgeable team!' Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news For more information, visit MINI Paws Big Hearts Adoption Event : Hawaiian Humane Society. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
