The Humane Societies on Kauai, Maui and Hawaii island are reeling from an Alaska Airlines decision to end its pet transfer program.

The program allowed Humane Society animals to hitch a free ride to mainland shelters under the ticket of a flying passenger.

Since July 2013, when KHS jumped on board with the program, about 1,200 animals have been transferred off-island via Alaska Air. Last fiscal year alone, KHS transferred 417 animals, Penny Cistaro, executive director of Kauai Humane Society, told the Garden Island.

“This was an informal program that we had on Kauai, Maui and Hawaii island in an effort to help with the overcrowding of animal shelters,” said Daniel Chun, regional marketing manager for Alaska Airlines. “Unfortunately, due to a situation beyond our control, the program has been halted, and we’re still in the process of re-evaluating.”

That “situation” happened on the Big Island earlier this year, according to Tasi Autele of Big Island Dog Rescue, when a communication mix-up led to several dogs being left unattended at the airport.

In a letter Cistaro received Friday, Alaska Airlines said passengers don’t know the dogs that are flying under their ticket and don’t take responsibility for the animal.

“We have never had any problems with the ticketed passengers because we were always there at the drop-off, and the shelter on the receiving side always had someone to meet the people in baggage,” Cistaro said.