After forest fires on Maui
‘My heart hurts so much’ – people desperately search for missing pets in Hawaii
Many animals in Hawaii suffered severe burns that now require veterinary care
© Jenny Miller/Maui Humane Society/AP/DPA
Thousands of pets missing after Hawaii wildfires Aid organizations are working to reunite the animals with their families. They have already received hundreds of searches.
By Nike Mosa
A young man holds a bleeding rabbit in his arms. The animal’s injuries extend from the face to the hind legs, and ash and scabs stick to the eyes. The image is just one of many photos posted on Twitter (renamed X) showing injured pets in Hawaii.
During the severe forest fires on the Hawaiian island Many Maui residents lost everything: their homes were destroyed, their homes burned down and they had to flee. While emergency services try to repair the damage and rebuild the houses, some residents worry about their animal family members: because numerous pets are also missing on the popular holiday island of Maui.
“Please, if there is any chance they are still alive and out there, I beg you, help me find them… My heart hurts so much,” pet owners write in Facebook groups. The Hawaii fires were among the worst the United States has ever seen, killing more than 100 people. Many Maui residents jumped into the sea to save himself from the deadly flames. Many of them were no longer able to take their pets with them.
According to the US news channel “ABC News”, there are estimates of more than 3,000 missing animals assume that many suffered severe burns or smoke inhalation. The injuries are sometimes so severe that owners do not even recognize their small family members.
People from all over Hawaii help with searches
The organization “Maui Humane Society” has already received over 300 completed reports for missing animals, a helper told the broadcaster. Such documents are the best way to bring healthy animals back to their owners. the organization checks every animal for chips, but the reports offer the best chance of uniting the animals and their families. And when the Humane Society can no longer help an animal, the applications are a way of letting families know about their loss so they don’t have to worry.
Operators of a veterinary clinic in Maui have also set up a temporary station, according to the US medium “USA Today”. Animals are cared for there free of charge, with treatments, medicines and food. Many people would help to save the pets, vet or not. Veterinarians from other Hawaiian islands have even flown to Maui to help with the search and care.
“We’re committed to helping all animals. We’ve had chickens, pet birds, guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs, cats and even a pig here,” Katie Shannon of the Maui Human Society told the Associated Press. “We are very fortunate that the community is coming together and helping us in this situation. But people need to understand that this is just the beginning.”
Sources: “ABC News”, “AP”, “U.S. Today”, “twitter”