Nearly a year had passed since Megan had last seen her dog. In August 2010, the woman, who asked not to be fully identified in a press release from the Kaua‘i Humane Society, came home from work to discover that
Nearly a year had passed since Megan had last seen her dog.
In August 2010, the woman, who asked not to be fully identified in a press release from the Kaua‘i Humane Society, came home from work to discover that Mai‘a had disappeared from her yard.
“After a month of searching, Megan could take no more,” the press release states. “She was having nightmares that Mai’a was hurt and suffering. She decided to accept (that she) was dead.”
But she wasn’t. The dog was one of 14 rescued from a Kapa‘a home where they had been neglected, ignored and left to die, the release states.
A concerned and unidentified Kaua‘i resident notified police and the humane society of the situation, and the two organizations worked together to save the animals.
Two, including Mai‘a, were returned to their rightful owners in early March. The person who had kept the dogs relinquished all of them to the humane society.
Humane Society Officer Jessica Venneman said she had offered free dog food to that person on numerous occasions. But the owner failed to feed the animals, the press release states, and several of the dogs became severely emaciated and weak.
Venneman explained that the Kauai Humane Society is willing and able to help animal owners when they fall on hard times.
“When people find themselves in a place in life where they need help caring for their animals, the Kaua‘i Humane Society is there,” the release states. “In this case, it meant taking custody of all of the dogs and finding new homes.”
After the owner turned over the canines, they were given immediate medical attention at the Kaua‘i Humane Society and were inspected for tattoos and microchips. Several of the dogs had Avid FriendChips.
The microchips, which are inserted under an animal’s skin, are used exclusively by the Kaua‘i Humane Society. Each contains a personal identification number that is entered into the society’s database, along with all of the owner’s contact information.
Megan had current information on file with the Kaua‘i Humane Society and was quickly notified about her lost girl.
Elizabeth Freitas, who wrote the press release and serves as the vice president of the Humane Society board, said Megan chose not to be identified for fear of retaliation by the person who had possessed her dog.
While heading to work on March 7, Megan got a call from Venneman, who told her Mai‘a had been found. She headed straight to the humane society and the two were reunited.
“Mai‘a jumped into her car like she had every other day as if nothing had ever happened,” the release states.
The Humane Society endorses microchipping of all pets so that other reunions can be made possible. The procedure can be done by local veterinarians or at the society’s facility.
If you do find a stray dog, state law requires the finder “take reasonable measures to discover and notify the owner.”
