Heartening sights and sounds rise from the scorched earth and rubble that had once been Lahaina. They defy the hopelessness of gutted homes and treasures lost, reaching their arms around the world.
They are the sights and sounds of Ohana. Family. A family beyond skin tone and language and custom — a family bonded by compassion and guided by purposeful action on behalf of pets as well as people.
Hundreds of volunteers have joined search teams and tracking dogs to comb the rubble for surviving animals. The Maui Humane Society (MHS) has received more than 1,000 reports of missing pets, though overall estimates of missing pets range up to 3,000.
It’s expected that only animals will have survived this long after the blaze that leveled Lahaina. John Peaveler, a disaster expert with Veterinarians Without Borders, told the New York Times that animals are better equipped to survive catastrophes given their smaller size and agility. Peaveler and others have found cats that wriggled into storm drains and dogs whom, despite burn injuries, managed to outrun the firestorm.
Roman, a hearty pit-mix being cared for by a sitter, bolted when fires closed in on his home. Found by building contractors two days later, Roman found sanctuary with a Good Samaritan. MHS ultimately tended to Roman’s extensive burns over all four paws, back and hind quarters. His grateful owner, Nicole Comey, was notified thanks to Roman’s microchip. “We cannot be more grateful for how this community has and continues to step up,” Comey said. “Miracles do happen. Don’t lose hope. Lean on each other.”
Despite having lost his home and possessions, Tyler Stanley, helped neighbors search for their pets. He found a kitten in an ash heap. “I was just walking around in the rubble and pulled it out,” a tearful Stanley told ABC News. “We’re just trying to grab all the animals we can.” Tyler brought the kitten to MHS where it has been treated and awaits adoption.
Lost pets on Maui are posted on Facebook groups including Maui Fire Pets Help Group and Lost and Found Animals of Maui Fires. One beneficiary of these efforts is Pirate, a four-year-old cat who was found healthy and reunited with his humans. “We’re lucky he came out unscathed,” Chrystal Larigi said. "Stay Lahaina Strong. We got this, guys!”
Greater Good Charities partnered with Lucky Dog and Southwest Airlines to coordinate the transport of 130 pets from MHS to the Oregon Humane Society. The effort was desperately needed to clear space for the wave of pets displaced, lost and injured by the devastating fires. Prior to the move, some dogs shared kennels in Maui’s already over-crowded shelter.
“It’s not something you can prepare for,” Jenny Miller, MHS Director of Development, told a local FOX News affiliate. “It’s been emotionally taxing. However, we’re still running on full adrenaline. And, it’s not about us. We all work here because we don’t want to do anything else.”
Some Lahaina pet parents have faced painful choices. A man identified only as Mr. Ochoa and his family have been packed together at a friend’s smaller home where it’s been difficult to care for their dog, Bella. He recently expressed his concerns to the MHS which offered boarding and foster care options. The thought of being separated from his dear Bella, even temporarily, was excruciating. However, his love for Bella won out. “I just want her to be good, I want her to be happy,” Ochoa told the New York Times. “She’s my baby.”