This week on Helping Hand, join HPR All Things Considered Host Dave Lawrence for a conversation about some of the most vulnerable Hawaii Island residents – the animals – with return guests Hawaii Island Humane Society. Administrative Liaison Patrick Thompson speaks about their mission to prevent cruelty to animals, eliminate pet overpopulation, and enhance the bond between humans and animals. They do this through three shelters island-wide, with services like shelter for homeless, stray, injured, lost and abandoned animals, animal adoptions, humane education programs, and administration and promotion of the Spay/Neuter Community Assistance Program.
The Hawaii Island Humane Society is the only open-admittance shelter on the Big Island with no time limits. Nearly 13,000 animals come through their doors every year, many injured, ill-treated, just born or elderly. Some have never known the security of a home, while others have lost the only one they've ever known. They accept any animal, regardless of age, species, condition, circumstance or behavioral issues.
Helping Hand is a feature on All Things Considered, on HPR1 stations statewide, and archived online here. Each Friday afternoon, Helping Hand puts the spotlight organizations, events and topics that offer assistance to people with disabilities and people and animals among the most vulnerable.

Contact Hawaii Island Humane Society:
Website: hihs.org
Email: They have a specific email for each shelter and another to reach their administration: kona@hihs.org, keaau@hihs.org, waimea@hihs.org, admin@hihs.org
Phone: Kona (808) 329-1175, Keaau (808) 966-5458, Waimea (808) 885-4558, and Admin (808) 329-8002; afterhours numbers are Kona (866) 614-7025, Keaau (855) 899-5761, and Waimea (866) 297-6701 or (985)873-1001.