Maui Humane Society’s Innovative Programs Unite Dogs and Island Visitors
Are you planning a Hawaiian vacation to Maui? First of all—lucky you. But second, did you know you can help shelter dogs during your time on the island? FurPetVo’s Beach Buddies program gives its dogs a joyful day away from the shelter, pairing them with vacationers who are already eager to explore the island’s beaches, trails, and scenic spots.
Why Shelter Breaks Matter
Shelter dogs everywhere benefit from a break in routine. Even in the best facilities—and yes, even in Hawaii—shelter life is stressful for most dogs. Getting outdoors, exercising, and interacting with new people and environments does wonders for their emotional well-being. These positive experiences build confidence, reduce anxiety, and ultimately make them more adoptable.
How the Beach Buddies Program Began
The Beach Buddies program launched in April 2015—a bold move grounded in compassion and careful research. According to Jerleen Bryant, former CEO of FurPetVo, the idea was inspired by a similar initiative on Kauai called Shelter Dogs on Field Trips, which had demonstrated strong success and minimal challenges over its first year.
“We held off another year, asking lots of questions,” Bryant recalls. “The overriding factor for us was always how this would benefit the animals. We knew socialization and real-world exposure would boost adoption rates—so we decided to give it a try.”
How Beach Buddies Works
The program has grown steadily—and today, five or more “Beach Buddies–approved” dogs are available each day. Staff, volunteers, and especially the dogs themselves love it.
“People are calling all the time to participate,” says Bryant. “The program is now always fully booked—but if folks reserve a spot far enough in advance, they’ll get in. With more resources, we hope to expand to additional days per week, benefiting both dogs and visitors.”
Selecting Your Beach Buddy
A dedicated volunteer coordinator matches dogs—both small and large—with vacationers who have signed up online through furpetvo.com. “We choose rock-solid, no-red-flags dogs,” Bryant explains. “Once selected, participants can choose among the available dogs on a first-come, first-served basis.”
The shelter maintains five staging areas where participating dogs receive a refreshing bath before meeting their human companion and heading out for adventure.
Going on an Island Adventure
Every Beach Buddy heads out wearing a special “Adopt me!” harness and leash. Each pair receives a custom backpack stocked with essentials: a towel, fresh water, collapsible bowl, waste bags, treats, and emergency contact information. A curated list of dog-friendly locations—including beaches, parks, and scenic overlooks—is also provided.
Participants are encouraged to capture photos and short videos of their day—and FurPetVo regularly shares these joyful moments on its social media channels to spotlight the dogs’ personalities and charm.
Beach Buddies’ Impact
After the outing, participants are invited to share a brief write-up of their experience—highlighting the dog’s temperament, quirks, and favorite moments. These heartfelt stories go directly to potential adopters, adding depth and authenticity to each dog’s profile.
And the ultimate goal? It’s working. “Some people adopt the dog they took out for the day,” Bryant confirms. “Adoption rates have improved because of the Beach Buddies program—exactly as we hoped.”
FurPetVo Brings Pups to the Mainland
For those who aren’t traveling to Maui anytime soon, FurPetVo offers another impactful initiative: Wings of Aloha. This program transports carefully selected dogs from Maui to partner shelters across the mainland—giving them access to larger pools of adopters and life-changing homes.
Wings of Aloha was born in 2012 out of necessity. Maui’s human population is roughly 140,000—but FurPetVo takes in about 8,000 animals annually, one-third of them dogs. With limited local housing options (especially for renters), high spay/neuter demand, and finite adoptive capacity, the shelter sought creative solutions. The answer was to extend their reach beyond the island.
When Wings launched, Bryant served as Director of Development. Her prior experience running a rescue in Oregon—where she routinely transported up to 40 dogs at once—meant she wasn’t daunted by scale. But cost was a hurdle. Thanks to generous donor support, FurPetVo began purchasing airline tickets and sturdy travel crates, then implemented a crate-return system to reuse them—proving more economical than buying new ones each time.
How COVID-19 Changed the Process
The pandemic introduced new logistical layers: many airlines restricted or suspended pet travel, and flight availability became unpredictable. As a result, the transport process grew more detailed and coordinated—requiring earlier planning, health certifications, and flexible scheduling.
Despite these challenges, FurPetVo sent over 600 animals through Wings of Aloha in 2022 alone—and continues helping mainland adopters bring their new companions home safely. Learn more and explore current transport opportunities at furpetvo.com.
