Advancing lava is a terrifying situation.
Advancing lava is a terrifying situation.
Panicked animals do not know which way to run to safety and are likely to either try crossing burning hot lava or hide under their house until it goes up in flames.
Plan ahead to keep your pets safe.
Arrange for family or friends to take your pets in if you can’t take them with you to your refuge. If no one can help, call kennels and animal shelters, or ask for assistance from the Hawaii Island Humane Society or www.helppuna.com.
Contain your pets long before you need to take them to their refuge. Even the tamest of animals can become agitated and hard to catch in tense circumstances.
Relocate your pets before you are told you need to evacuate. The order to evacuate can come with as little as 24 hours advance notice of the arrival of lava in your area. The time to act is several days before the lava is expected to reach your community.
Have leashes and/or carriers ready. If you need carriers, check with helppuna.com or the Humane Society. Prepare containers with their food, medicines and instructions. Vaccination records will be important if taking them to kennels or shelters.
“There were 11 pauses in flow advancement during the time that Kalapana was being overrun in 1990,” said local geologist Asta Miklius, who was part of the volunteer team that rescued animals from Kalapana in 1990. “Each time, many residents stopped their evacuation preparations, then panicked when the evacuation order was issued.
“Some people abandoned their pets, imagining that they could survive on their own, while others could not capture their frightened animal(s) at the last minute.”
The Hawaii Island Humane Society is matching foster homes to people needing them. Folks able to help the animals and people of Pahoa in this way are urged to call the Humane Society and post their contact info on www.helppuna.com. Animal owners needing to find temporary foster homes for their animals also are asked to call HIHS, and to check helppuna.com.
As Puna residents continue to make contingency plans for their animals and pets, HIHS continues its emergency preparations should the need arise.
Also, in the event of an evacuation, the HIHS Keaau Shelter will contact its volunteers for assistance.
“If you are able and willing to assist, please call the Keaau Shelter at 966-5458 to add your name to the volunteer call list,” said HIHS Executive Director Donna Whitaker.
The Keaau shelter also is offering special, discounted $8 microchipping of pets through Saturday.
“Pets may become separated and lost in the event residents are evacuated in Puna. Microchipping, a quick and painless procedure, is the best way to reunite animals and their people.” Whitaker said.
An “Emergency Kit Wish List” to kokua the Keaau Shelter has been drawn up, with all donations gratefully accepted. Items needed include: plastic waste bags for pooper scooping, animal crates, tents, pet food and bowls, cat litter and litter boxes, cable ties, volunteers and feral cat caretakers.
Whitaker noted the society’s mission is “to promote respect for all animals, prevent cruelty to animals, eliminate pet overpopulation and enhance the bond between humans and animals.” Learn more about it at www.hihs.org or call 329-1175.
On Wednesday morning, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Janet Babb offered the following update:
“Even though the flow front has stalled, the June 27th lava flow has not stopped. The eruption is not ‘over.’ We are still seeing breakouts of active lava behind the flow front, an indication that the vent on Pu‘u ‘O‘o continues to erupt, and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Hawaii County Civil Defense are both closely monitoring the activity,” Babb said.