Hawaii Island’s transition to a new animal control vendor is going to take a little more time.
The Hawaii Rainbow Rangers, which was awarded the county’s new animal control contract on July 24, released a statement Monday announcing an extension of its interim services agreement. The exact length of the extension is uncertain; transition into full services is contingent on the organization acquiring the necessary shelters in East Hawaii and Waimea.
An extension was brought up as a possibility in October; ultimately, the Hawaii Police Department and HRR agreed during an Oct. 22 meeting to extend interim services beyond the end of the month. The police department will continue to assist HRR moving forward, including handling animal cruelty and related investigations. HRR was originally scheduled to take over full services Nov. 1.
During an Oct. 6 presentation to the Hawaii County Council Committee on Public Safety, HRR expressed plans for an East Hawaii location to be operational by Nov. 30. HRR’s director of operations, Nick Lippincott, is confident that Nov. 30 date will remain firm.
Until the new property is operational, HRR will continue using the Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary as its temporary East Hawaii location. A Waimea location likely won’t be operational until December.
In the meantime, HRR expanded its hours.
The West Hawaii location, at 74-5225 Queen Kaahumanu Highway in Kailua-Kona, and the East Hawaii location, at 17-382 13 Mile Road in Kurtistown, will be open six days per week; both locations will be closed on Tuesdays. West Hawaii hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m., while East Hawaii’s will be 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
HRR plans to expand to at least 30 staff members when the East Hawaii and Waimea shelters are finally in the fold, an increase of approximately three times its current payroll.
Hawaii Rainbow Rangers can be reached at 666-9589 regarding complaints and to request services for animals. Phones will be staffed from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., seven days a week.
To make an appointment for adoptions or to view current shelter pets, or to volunteer or donate, visit www.HIRangers.org.
Email Tom Linder at tlinder@westhawaiitoday.com.