HIHS board member Scott Dodd, Kahu Danny Akaka, board president Susy Ruddle and executive director Donna Whitaker begin the blessing at the new Humane Society headquarters. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7

The human advocates for Big Island animals are excited about the new headquarters, but it might be some time before the animals benefit.

The Hawaii Island Humane Society had a few generous friends help it secure the 12-acre parcel that used to house the Fuku Bonsai business south of Holualoa and finance the $830,000 purchase. While the land already has numerous building and structures that have been vacant for several years, it will need work and money to make it perfect for the cats, dogs, horses, chicken, guinea pigs and HIHS staff.

“This is big for us and we want to do it right,” said Donna Whitaker, Humane Society’s executive director. “We’re super happy. It’s a dream come true for us, but the blessing is just the first step. We’ve got a long way to go.”

Whitaker, HIHS board members and a few animal lovers joined Kahu Danny Akaka for a blessing last week at the new site, which will have separate spaces for cats and dogs, a dog park and stables for horses.

First priority, Whitaker said, is securing the necessary permits and launching a fundraising campaign.

Also high on the priority list is the 2-acre dog park, which is being developed in partnership with Let Us Run Our Dogs, a West Hawaii nonprofit organization that has lobbied for several years to build such a park. That may be open to the public by the end of the year.

Whitaker said the vision for the new headquarters also includes an old barn-type building that will serve as the cattery and an adoption square for people and animals to get acquainted.

The new shelter will mean the animals, and staff, can move from the cramped quarters next to the old landfill near the Kealakehe Police Station and the abandoned and neglected horses can be moved from the Waimea shelter, which is adjacent to the Waimea Airport.

The cattery as it looks now. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

Artist vision of the cattery. (Image courtesy of HIHS)

Whitaker said she hopes to be moved in by the end of 2012. Beyond that, a new veterinary clinic is planned, as well as a classroom and meeting room.

Fundraising began at last month’s Tropical Paws event, when one benefactor offered up $100,000 as long as others matched it. The Humane Society added $220,000 to its coffers that night, Whitaker said.

“We’ve had really good karma with this project and there’s no reason to think that will change,” said long-time board member Scott Dodd.

Meanwhile, volunteers are sought to help with general property clean up. Turn up 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 25 to pitch in with weeding and trash collection.

Also, the Humane Society is hosting a community open house 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, July 2.

To volunteer or find out more, contact the Humane Society’s volunteer coordinator at 217-0154 or visit www.hihs.org

Adopt-A-Cat Month

June is Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month and Hawaii Island Humane Society is partnering with the ASPCA and the makers of Fresh Step litter to help find loving homes for cats.

Through June 18 during normal shelter hours in Kona, Waimea and Keaau, HIHS is waiving the fee to adopt adult cats and all kitten adoptions will be two-for-one.

All other adoption policies and thorough match-making procedures remain in effect.

If you can’t adopt at this time, but want to help, visit the Fresh Step Facebook page (www.facebook.com/freshstep) and join in its mission to find loving homes for cats.

For each “like” made to its page, Fresh Step litter will donate $1 (up to $100,000) to the ASPCA to help expand programs like this and get more cats adopted.

LucyFur was adopted from the Kona shelter as a kitten and is marking her eighth year in her 'forever home.' (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)