Hawaii

Maui Humane Society (MHS) will use a Grey Muzzle grant to provide veterinary services for seniors seven and older, increasing their chance of adoption. Funding may also be used to prevent senior dogs from being surrendered for medical reasons. The grant will help dogs like eight-year-old Blaze, whose owner surrendered him because he could not afford to treat Blaze’s severe skin and eye problems. Maui Humane Society provided Blaze with several weeks of treatment and reunited him with his family, who was overjoyed that he was coming home.

The Grey Muzzle Organization grant will enable the Kohala Animal Relocation and Education Service (KARES) senior dog program to provide medical, surgical, and dental care for at-risk dogs. It will help older dogs remain in loving homes by offering free or shared-cost veterinary care when owners cannot afford it. Providing medical care to dogs rescued from abandonment or neglect will enhance senior dogs’ chances for adoption and help them live healthier lives in their forever homes. Ringo, a nine-year-old, deaf English bulldog, spent half his life on a heavy chain that caused severe throat damage. As a result, he required multiple surgeries to open his airway. Now, after KARES and GMO's assistance, he is thriving in a loving home. 

Founded in 2009, KARES serves the Big Island of Hawaii, rescuing and relocating abused, abandoned, and stray dogs; providing temporary housing through a foster care network; and facilitating adoptions into caring, permanent homes. KARES focuses on community education and outreach to promote responsible pet ownership and prevent animal cruelty. KARES also raises awareness about the causes of animal overpopulation and advocates for spay/neuter surgeries, which are provided free to owned dogs of all ages.

The Grey Muzzle grant for Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary (RFAS) will support their existing program of providing dental/medical and rehabilitation care to senior dogs currently housed at the sanctuary, in foster care, and future intakes. The funding will also provide medical treatment for older dogs that remain with their low-income owners, with the owners able to come to RFAS for help when their dogs are sick or injured or experience additional hardship, such as the lava flows of 2018. Support from Grey Muzzle allows RFAS to care for dogs like Elsie. A ten-year-old terrier mix, Elsie is one of the residents at Rainbow Friends. She was adopted many years ago but returned two years ago when her people moved off island. In the past several days, she suddenly experienced a bulging disk and is unable to use her rear legs. She has been to the vet and is now on several expensive medications. Time will tell if she will be able to walk again, but in the meantime, she has the TLC of RFAS staff and volunteers.

The money provided by Grey Muzzle's grant supports K9 Kokua’s “Kupuna (Elder) Dog Project”, the goal of which is to improve the quality of life for at-risk homeless senior dogs. Specifically, this project seeks to provide medical assistance to senior dogs during medical beach rounds. During medical beach rounds, K9 Kokua volunteers and veterinarians travel to homeless campsites and assist dogs residing with their homeless owners. Volunteers perform onsite medical care, conduct wellness examinations, provide dog food, treats, toys, and bedding, as well as nail trims, ear cleaning, and make appointments for spay/neuter and microchipping- a requirement for public housing.

K9 Kokua is a 501c3 non-profit, all-volunteer operated organization that believes every dog deserves a chance at a life of feeling no hunger pains, has access to medical care and the right to live in safety. We visit and provide care for the dogs that live with the houseless population on Oahu and Maui.  We also assist dogs of the financially destitute and those affected by domestic violence.