Adopt a dog for the long weekend

PUHI — A walk around the block often follows the Thanksgiving meal, and the Kauai Humane Society has the perfect exercise buddy waiting.

Serial snugglers, table trollers and stick stalkers are all waiting at KHS, and you can take one home for a two-day sleepover during the Home for the Pawlidayz event, which runs through Friday.

It’s free, and a chance for families to host an animal — either as a trial run or for permanent adoption.

“We have a mix of all sorts of dogs,” said Laura Lee, KHS development director. “There are two or three that we’d (really) like to see adopted. Blossom, Blueberry and Lizzie stick out in my mind.”

Kialoa, a mixed-breed, medium-sized dog, is up for adoption and for placement through Home for the Pawlidayz as well.

“It’s a great way to expose the family who is interested in adopting to see how the dog does in a family setting and that time is special to the dog who may never have that opportunity to be in a home setting,” Lee said.

“We send out a bag of food, treats, poop bags, towels, bowls, leash and collar with instructions of how to feed the dog — and an emergency number just in case,” she said.

In addition, KHS is offering free adoptions, sponsored by zappos.com, for dogs and cats Friday, Saturday and Monday.

Today, people can pick up a dog from KHS from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and take it home with them. Drop off is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday.

“Home for the Holidays” 2016 occurred in December instead of November, but the promotion was similar, according to Lee. During that event, nine of the 11 dogs that were placed in homes were adopted.

“Looking for a One Night Stand” was a Valentine’s Day promotion in 2017 that was similar as well, and six of the 11 dogs that went into homes through that program were adopted.

This time around, Lee said a lot of what KHS staff members call the “lovable locals” — dogs that have been at the shelter for three months or more — have been adopted through the field program or have been transferred. But, there are plenty of choices for those who are looking to open their home up to an animal for the holidays.

“We want to see the adoptions be successful for the animal and for the family,” Lee said.