Hawaiian Humane Society Waives Dog Adoption Fees After Shelter Crisis
Overflow kennels and rising intakes spark islandwide push to find dogs homes before space runs out across Oahu this weekend.
The Hawaiian Humane Society is waiving all dog adoption fees this weekend as overflowing shelters push the organization to critical capacity, with some animals now being housed in temporary pop-up crates. More than 960 animals are currently in the society’s care across shelters and foster homes, prompting what officials described as an emergency “Flash Adoption Special” aimed at easing pressure on facilities already stretched beyond sustainable limits. The fee-waiver event runs from Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24, 2026, and applies to all dogs and puppies at the organization’s two main campuses.
Shelters Overwhelmed by Intake Surge The unusually high intake has forced staff to take temporary steps to house animals, including placing some dogs in pop-up crates as overflow space. According to the organization, this is not a sustainable solution and falls short of supporting the animals’ long-term physical and emotional well-being . “Every dog in our care deserves more than emergency overflow housing, and right now we need our community’s help to change that,” said Anna Neubauer, president and CEO of the Hawaiian Humane Society.
Neubauer emphasized that while fees are being waived, the adoption process remains focused on long-term placements. “Bringing a dog home is a years-long commitment, and helping people find the right match is work our team takes seriously every single day,” she said. “We are asking Oʻahu to show up this weekend, and we will be ready when you do.
” Pictures shared by the Hawaiian Humane Society show some of the pups currently available at their shelters for adoption. Where the Adoption Event Is Happening Hawaiian Humane is encouraging residents across Oahu to consider adopting during the three-day event, when all adoption fees for dogs and puppies will be waived. The Mōʻiliʻili location, at 2700 Waiʻalae Avenue in Honolulu, and the Kosasa Family Campus, at 91-1945 Fort Weaver Road in ʻEwa Beach, will both be open daily from 11 a.