Unwanted Dogs from Hawaii Find Forever Homes in Oregon

Vacationers coming home after visiting the garden island of Kauai can return to Oregon with memories, souvenirs and maybe even a shelter dog. Not your typical carry-on item, but one that will be memorable because it will save a life.

The Aloha Escort Shelter Pet Transfer program of Kauai helps save the lives of those unwanted dogs thanks to the help of Oregon residents returning from their tropical vacations.

Air travelers preparing to fly to Oregon or California nonstop on Alaska Airlines after visiting Kauai can pick up a dog who has not been adopted, fly with the pooch back to the mainland and drop them with a shelter representative at the airport when they land.

Since the program launched in 2013, the simple process has helped more than 1,000 unwanted dogs find a forever home. The limited number of homes and families on the small island can make finding forever homes challenging for shelter officials. The Kauai Humane Society is the only shelter on the island and takes in almost 5,000 animals each year.

"Since January of 2013 we have transferred 1,025 animals to various shelters along the west coast," Kauai Humane Society Executive Director Penny Cistaro said. "We have approximately 14 partners that range in size and frequency of receiving animals. Our dogs are quickly adopted. We attribute this to their unique look, size and amazing personalities."

Cistaro says the choice of which dog is shipped depends on many factors including how long the dog has been at the shelter or the dog's behavior.

Shelter officials say the cost to fly an animal to the mainland is $300 but with an escort, it is free. Alaska Airlines and the SPCA work together to allow travelers flying from Lihue airport.

The shelter handles the paperwork, the transport of the pet to the airport and crating. Visitors can also adopt a pet of their own to bring back to the mainland.

Photos courtesy Kauai Humane Society