As my husband & I were planning how to spend our final day in Kauai, I came across a traveler’s brochure for shelter dog field trips sponsored by the Kauai Humane Society. In exchange for a small donation, people can take an adoption-ready dog out for a day (or longer) to go hiking, frolicking on the beach, or even for shaved ice! Having already been abroad for two weeks in South Korea, we were homesick & missing our dear Yorkie mix, Yogi. We were in serious need of some animal therapy & a doggy date sounded like the perfect way to enjoy our last day on the Garden Isle.

The Kauai Humane Society is conveniently located just 10 minutes west of Lihue. Knowledgeable staff maintain the shelter well & it is evident that they take pride in their daily work. Unlike the animal shelters in Southern California that house a lot of lost chihuahuas & pitbulls, Kauai is mostly occupied by hunting dogs. I noticed a common trend of Airedales, Whippets, & Hound mixes. Turns out these particular breeds were once bred & trained to catch wild pigs that proliferated Kauai a long time ago. When the dog became too old to keep up, they unfortunately ended up as strays. This is one of the reasons why Kauai shelters struggle to care for the overwhelming number of homeless dogs. Established in 1952, the shelter takes in approximately 3,000 animals annually!

Visiting the Kauai Humane Society

Please note: Below are the hours of operation as of January 2024.
You may check with the Kauai Humane Society website for their most updated information.

Open Friday through Wednesday
Temporarily closed on Thursday
11:00am – 5:30pm

The shelter opens an hour earlier than the times listed above. However, the dogs are not available for viewing at that time. As many locals have recommended, we still planned to arrive an hour early to ensure we would have a better chance at choosing a dog we meshed well with.

Inside the kennel area, you will notice different colored signs that inform you which dogs are available for a doggy date. These are dogs that are at least 6 months old, have all their current vaccinations, & are spayed or neutered. 

Whenever I walk into any animal shelter, I have to mentally prepare myself for the overwhelming heartbreak & helplessness. I sensed so much attention from each of the dogs that I tried to spend at least a minute or two with each of them. But as soon as I spotted Muriel in the corner, I immediately fell in love. Muriel was a shy 10 month old Hound mix with a beautiful caramel coat & contagious smile. We checked her tag to confirm she was available for a doggy date & quickly flagged a staff member down.

Guidelines for a Safe Doggy Date

First of all, in order to participate in the Kauai Humane Society Field Trips for Shelter Dogs program, you must be at least 18 years old. You will need to sign a liability waiver & provide credit card information for a $200 deposit in the event the dog goes missing. The shelter also asks for a non-refundable minimum donation of $40.

After signing a liability waiver form, the staff will provide a short one-on-one with you with important things to note:

• Do not allow the field trip dogs to approach other dogs, including fellow shelter dogs, as they may not get along.
• Dogs must be on leash at all times.
• Only one dog per vehicle allowed. Dogs may only travel in an enclosed vehicle which means no open top convertibles or the bed of a truck.
• If your dog becomes loose, you must contact Kauai Humane Society immediately at (808) 632-0610 ext. 105.

Your dog will be fashioned in a bright orange vest that says “Adopt Me” to let potential adopters know he/she is looking for a loving home. Staff will also prepare a backpack with all the dog essentials for your adventure:

• Bowl
• Towel
• Bottled water
• Treats
• Poop bags
• Toy

Where to Go On Your Shelter Dog Field Trip

The Kauai Humane Society staff will provide a list of recommendations for field trip locations:

• Kuilau/Moalepe Trail
• Loop Road/Wailua Arboretum
• Kapa’a Coastal Path
• Secret Beach
• Maha’ulepu Beach
• Kalapaki Beach
• Paths around the golf course behind Marriott Lihue Resort
• Kukuiolono Golf Course Path
• Kekaha Beach
• Sleeping Giant Trail
• If you have time to visit Wailua Shave Ice on the east side of Kauai, you will receive a free shave ice for two – one for you & one for your date!

Off-limit areas include Koke’e State Park, Waimea Canyon, Salt Pond Park, & all county-maintained parks or beaches. Use your best judgment when deciding where to take your field trip. If it has recently rained in the area, don’t go on a dense trail where heavy mud can cause slippery conditions for you & your dog.

Our Memorable Kauai Doggy Date with Muriel

Once we stepped outside of Kauai Humane Society, Muriel seemed a little timid at first. She probably even sensed our own dog’s scent on our clothes. However, as soon as we hopped into our Jeep she immediately warmed up to us. It was as if she knew we were about to go on a great adventure!

While we had hoped to visit the Sleeping Giant Trail for one last hike, it had down-poured the night before & we didn’t want Muriel to trek through wet puddles. Instead, we decided to take her on a more relaxing stroll at Po’ipu Beach & the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail, just 20 minutes south of the shelter.

As we were happily walking along the coastline, we came across a group of people pointing into the ocean & taking photos. They spotted a bale of Honu (Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles) swimming around the cove, feeding on limu (seaweed). Some of them were several feet long! We spent all morning wandering around the beach & playing fetch with her favorite stuffed animal.

Sadly, we only had a couple hours to spend with Muriel as we had a flight to catch in the afternoon. I instantly started to miss her.

Support a Great Cause for Rescue Dogs

A few weeks later, my husband searched the Kauai Humane Society website for Muriel & noticed she was no longer available. I had a strong gut feeling she would find a new home right away. It was inevitable someone would fall for her sweet demeanor & positive energy!

I fully support field trips for shelter dogs as it allows the animals to get much needed fresh air & exercise away from their kennels. The program has shown a lot of promise in that it has resulted in hundreds of adoptions from across the nation. The shelter boasts an average of four dog adoptions every month after a memorable field trip! Following Kauai’s success, the Maui Humane Society has created a similar field trip program called Beach Buddies. If interested, these shelters also assist in the process of safely flying your dog home with you!

Angella’s Travel Tips

• Prepare to arrive at the Kauai Humane Society at least 20 minutes prior to shelter opening hours so you can have one of the first picks of the day.
• As soon as you lock eyes with a special dog, let the staff member know right away before someone else does!
• Dogs may be returned any time before 5:00pm. Plan your itinerary ahead of time as there is a fee of $100 for late returns. Take weather into consideration & weigh out your options, especially since conditions are always unpredictable in Kauai.

Address for Kauai Humane Society: 3-825 Kaumualii Hwy, Lihue, HI 96766

Phone number: (808) 632-0610

Email: customerservice@kauaihumane.org