The Hawaiian Humane Society and the owners of a Makaha animal shelter agreed Friday that 318 dogs and three rabbits will be available for adoption as soon as they are spayed and neutered.
The animals are the former wards — and their offspring — of Friends for Life, a nonprofit, no-kill animal rescue shelter.
The two sides announced the agreement Friday in Waianae District Court during a hearing on the Humane Society’s petition for the forfeiture of the animals.
Honolulu police and animal control officials raided Friends for Life in October amid reports of sick animals and deplorable conditions. They seized 312 animals, including six rabbits. Two dogs died before or during transport.
Humane Society President and CEO Pamela Burns says more dogs died within days, some in veterinary clinics, because they were in poor health. A few more were put down because their medical conditions were so serious that they wouldn’t have survived anyway or nothing could be done to relieve their pain.
Some dogs have since had puppies. So the Humane Society now has 331 animals. About 60 of them are at the Humane Society’s facility in Moiliili. The rest are with foster families, who will have the first opportunity to adopt the animals in their care.
The Humane Society says it has spent nearly $700,000 so far to care for the animals.
Some of the people who volunteered at Friends for Life were in court Friday, and some expressed a desire to adopt some of the dogs.
Friends for Life owner
David “Lanny” Moore said he agreed to let Humane Society officials find new homes for the animals after they agreed not to euthanize those that can be adopted.
The Moores also have until May 1 to find homes for 10 dogs that are now deemed unadoptable due to either their medical condition or temperament.
“They will remain in our care and will be assessed medically and behaviorally to ensure that they are given the best opportunities,” said Humane Society spokeswoman Allison
Gammel.
The Humane Society cited each of the Moores with
310 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. They are scheduled to return to court in May to enter their pleas and to say whether they want jury trials. Friday’s agreement on the adoptions is independent of the criminal charges and any possible restitution the Moores might face.
