The Hawaiian Humane Society is Oahu's only open-admission shelter and has handled the island's stray-animal work for the City and County of Honolulu since 1915. It runs its original Moiliili campus and a second West Oahu campus that opened in 2023. Here is how adoption, surrender, low-cost spay/neuter, and stray reporting work.
The Hawaiian Humane Society describes itself as Oahu's only open-admission shelter, meaning it welcomes every animal and turns none away. That open-door role is the opposite of a limited-admission no-kill model, because the shelter takes in whatever comes through the door, including animals other groups would decline.
It is also the island's contracted stray-animal authority. Honolulu has partnered with the society since 1915, and the contract covers stray pickup, dangerous-dog and dog-bite investigations, barking-dog complaints, and 24-hour rescue. Wildlife and livestock are not admitted; the shelter refers those animals to other organizations.
Adoption fees are tiered by age. The shelter also runs standing discounts, including a Senior for Seniors program that waives the fee when an adopter 55 or older takes home a pet aged six or older, and reduced fees for military members, first responders, and teachers.
| Animal | Adoption fee |
|---|---|
| Puppy, under 6 months | $250 |
| Dog, 7 months to 5 years | $100 |
| Dog, 6 years and older | $50 |
| Kitten, under 6 months | $100 |
| Cat, 7 months to 5 years | $50 |
| Cat, 6 years and older | $25 |
Each adoption covers spay or neuter surgery, current vaccinations, and a microchip. Walk-ins are welcome, and available animals are listed in real time on the website by campus.
Owner surrender is by appointment, Wednesday through Sunday, booked at least 24 hours ahead, with a $50 fee per pet that goes toward the animal's care. Microchipping has been mandatory across Oahu for dogs and cats over four months since July 2020, and the shelter charges $20, with reduced or waived fees for people on assistance.
The Neuter Now program gives $20 certificates to low-income owners toward surgery at participating clinics, and the Feline Fix program covers free spay or neuter, a microchip, and an ear notch for free-roaming community cats. A new community spay and neuter center at the West Oahu campus opened in early 2026.
To report a stray or an animal in distress, call the 24-hour dispatch line at 808-356-2250. The society is the only body outside the Honolulu police able to rescue animals and investigate cruelty for the City and County.
Most volunteer roles are for adults 18 and older, and families can volunteer together when the lead is an adult. Fostering also requires being 18 or older and providing transport to either campus; foster periods run from about two weeks to several months, and the shelter supplies basics and covers medical care.
The wish list highlights Kuranda beds, treats, puppy and kitten formula, and unopened pet food for the food bank. The Hawaiian Humane Society holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, and its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 99-0073490.
Dogs, cats, and small animals across the Moiliili and West Oahu campuses.
Honolulu contract: 24/7 stray pickup, dog-bite and dangerous-dog response.
$20 surgery certificates for low-income pet owners at participating clinics.
Free spay or neuter, microchip, and ear notch for community cats.
Temporary pet-food assistance at both campuses on set weekdays.
Short-term homes for animals not ready for adoption; supplies and medical care provided.
Sources: Hawaiian Humane Society (hawaiianhumane.org) adoption, surrender, spay/neuter, and stray-services pages; City and County of Honolulu; Charity Navigator (EIN 99-0073490); Wikipedia. Adoption fees are drawn from its adoption pages; confirm current amounts and discounts before relying on them. Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with Hawaiian Humane Society and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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