FAQ
FAQs & O'ahu based Resources​
We are completely volunteer run and rely on our volunteers to help answer our many emails we receive each week. It would be a huge help if you looked for your answer here before sending us an email. This FAQ covers questions about volunteering, visiting, donating, surrendering animals, and more.
Mahalo from The Aloha Animal Sanctuary Team!
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Supporting the Sanctuary
​How can I support the efforts of Aloha Animal Sanctuary?
Thank you for supporting our efforts! The Aloha Animal Sanctuary thrives because of our generous volunteers and donors. You can support us in many ways: volunteer your time and skills, make a donation, purchase merchandise, attend a visitor or volunteer day, buy from businesses or use apps that donate to us, spread the word about our work and the importance of compassion to animals, and incorporate more vegan meals and animal-friendly practices into your routine.
Donation links and resources:
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To donate, visit our donate tab.
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To sponsor an animal, sign up here.
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To donate supplies and animal food, see our wishlist here.
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Become a recurring donor through Patreon and receive insider updates here.
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Use the Abillion app to upload your vegan product and meal reviews. For every review, you get $0.10 back to donate to a qualifying organization of your choice. Choose Aloha Animal Sanctuary as the recipient to ensure it goes directly to our efforts!
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Check out our store to purchase Aloha Animal Sanctuary merchandise!
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Volunteer and visitor links:​
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Sign up for our volunteer interest list, here.
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Here is a list of upcoming visitor and volunteer days.
What does it mean to sponsor an animal?
Sponsoring an animal means making a monthly financial commitment in an amount of your choice, which will go toward the care of that animal. All monthly sponsors receive a certificate of sponsorship, three Sanctuary logo stickers, quarterly updates, and a portrait of the sponsored animal. Sponsors who support more than one resident or donate more than $40/month are eligible to receive a hoof print package of their sponsored residents!
Learn more about sponsoring an animal here.
Prefer making a one-time donation? Find more about one-time donations here.
Does the Sanctuary need donated items?
Yes! The Sanctuary always welcomes donated items from our wishlist. To donate supplies and animal food, see our wishlist here.
If you have an item not on our list that you think we can use, please reach out to us to check and plan a drop-off time. (Note: we do not have open hours, so would need to pre-arrange drop-off).
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Where do I learn more about the animals at Aloha Animal Sanctuary
For a complete list of the animals at Aloha Animal Sanctuary, click here. If you live on Oahu or plan to visit, you can also sign up for one of our visitor days to meet the residents in person. See upcoming events here.
Follow us on social media: add us on Facebook or Instagram: @alohaanimalsanctuary
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Visiting & Volunteering
Is the Sanctuary open to visitors?
Aloha Animal Sanctuary does not have open hours for drop-by visits. To visit, join our regular visitor days. We do not offer private tours. Check our events page for upcoming visitor days and register there.
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​Can the Sanctuary accommodate groups wanting to visit or volunteer together?
We have limited capacity to take on group tours or volunteer/special event days, but we would love to get some more information about you so we can reach out when we do! Please email volunteerday@alohasanctuary.org with your interested and when we have the capacity to take on group experiences, we will reach out to you!
You may also want to keep an eye on our visitor days and volunteer days here, in case one of those would work out for your group.
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​Do I need to register each adult and child in my group when signing up for a visitor day?
Yes, please RSVP and register each adult and child, as we have a maximum number of visitors per tour for a better and safer experience.
If I can’t make it to the visitor day I registered for, will I be able to receive a refund?
We do not offer refunds, but 100% of your ticket cost goes directly towards the care of the animals. Thank you for your understanding and contribution.
What is included on a visitor day tour?
Tours include education about the sanctuary's background and mission, introductions to the animals, and photo opportunities. However, please remember that we are a sanctuary, not a petting zoo. Some animals may not want to interact during the tour, and we respect their wishes.
​What should I bring and wear for a visitor day?
Wear closed-toed shoes. We do not allow companion animals. We recommend long pants (due to mosquitoes), a reusable water bottle, and a rain jacket/sunscreen, depending on the weather (it's Hawai'i, so you never know).
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At this time, masks are not required as we are outdoors, but you can wear one if you like. If you have symptoms or feel sick, do not attend. While on the tour, we ask you maintain a 6ft distance from others not in your household.
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How do I get involved with volunteering for the Sanctuary?
Thank you for your interest in volunteering! Visit our volunteer tab and fill out the form to join our volunteer interest list. You will receive emails about new volunteer opportunities. Check our events page for upcoming volunteer days and register there.​
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Do you accept volunteers under 18?
Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a fully trained parent. Some tasks are not suited for young children.
What kind of work do volunteers do?
Volunteers can work directly with animals after training, or help with building projects, gardening/landscaping, admin, marketing, and more. Fill out the volunteer interest form on our volunteer page to note your preferred opportunities.
Is the Sanctuary hiring?
Aloha Animal Sanctuary is 100% volunteer-run. If you want to join our volunteer team, visit our volunteer page to join the volunteer list.
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Animal Surrender, Rescue & Help
​Can you take my pet or an animal I found?
We appreciate your kindness and desire to find every animal a home. We wish we could take every animal, but we are currently at capacity and cannot accept any more. However, we will help you find resources and placements for animals outside of our sanctuary.
Resources for rehoming help on O'ahu:
Dog & Cat Rescue:
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Fur Angel Foundation | (808) 763-8662 | furangelfoundation@gmail.com
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Poi Dogs & Popoki | (808) 551-7915 | adoptions@poidogsandpopoki.org
For Bird Rescue:​
Farmed Animal Rescue:
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Farm Animal Rehoming and Rescue - Oahu | Facebook Page
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Note: We created this Facebook group to connect potential rehabbers, rescuers, and adopters with animals in need. Please ensure home visits before rehoming an animal, as we cannot thoroughly screen members.
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Tortoises, Rats, Mice, and Rabbits:
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Oahu SPCA Website | (808) 754-1519 | info@oahuspca.org
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Note: For urgent rabbit rescue or rehoming, our volunteer Lawai may be able to assist. Please let us know if you’d like us to reach out on your behalf.
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Horses:
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Ho'omaluhia Horse Rescue | (808) 382-6162 | info@hoomaluhiahorserescue.org
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Find a home for a wild chicken (due to injury, landlord complaints, etc.)
Join these Facebook groups to post if anyone is interested in adopting/assisting:
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There are a lot of wild chickens in my neighborhood, how do we humanely limit the population?
To help control the chicken population, avoid feeding them as it encourages reproduction. If you find nests of eggs, freeze any eggs you find before they develop. Finally, learn to embrace cohabitating with nature!
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I have witnessed animal cruelty, how do I report it?
If you witness animal cruelty, report it to the Hawaiian Humane Society. They need adequate evidence to prosecute, so safely take videos, have a witness, and include names and addresses when filing a report. For more information on animal cruelty laws in Hawai'i, visit this page.
Thank you for your compassion and care for animals. These situations are tough, and we empathize with you.
Animal Rescue
If there is a medical emergency regarding a farmed animal, do not email us, take the animal to a veterinary hospital immediately.
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O'ahu Veterinarians who see farmed animals:
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Dr. Walter Lam: Mobile Vet for all farmed animals Phone: 808-383-2071 In emergencies can TEXT after hours.
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Dr. Lydia Lam: Office in VCA Pearl City. No House visits. Will see potbelly pigs and goats. Phone: 808-484-9070
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Dr. Eric Pearson: Mobile Vet for pigs, will see goats. Phone: 808-261-6000
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Oahu Equine Vet Clinic: Mobile Vet, primarily services horses. Can CALL in emergencies, 24 hours. Office Phone: 808-262-0388 Emergency Phone: 808-478-1902
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Dr. Amanda Dale: Mobile small animals. Hours: are M-Th 9-5 and Fri, Sun 9-12. Phone: 808-388-9484
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Aloha Affordable Veterinary Services/North Shore Veterinary Clinic: Offices in Pearl Ridge and Waialua. Services pigs, goats, sheep, and other animals. Phone: 808-445-3624​
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Feather & Fur Animal Hospital: Bird and exotic animal vets available, does not see goats or pigs. Offer the ability for free surrender of injured birds of any breed. Will take in most endangered/native birds. Phone: 808-254-1548
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Kailua Animal Clinic: Sees smaller pigs in-office. Phone: 808-263-8863
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Makai Animal Clinic: Sees smaller pigs in-office. Phone: 808-262-9621​
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Dr. Gavin Ganzer: Oahu Veterinary Clinic. Sees chickens and goats in-office. Phone: (808) 427-1000
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Dr. Darin Hisanaga: Waipahu-Waikele Pet Hospital. Farmed animals - not taking new exotic patients at the moment.
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Dr. Douglas Chang: Aloha Animal Hospital. Farmed animals: sees birds.
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Dr. Erik Ako: The Pet Doctor. Farmed animals: sees birds.
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Dr. Craig Ken Harada: The Pet Clinic. Sees birds.
We are 100% volunteer-run, which means we do not always have the resources to respond to every emergency. We wish we had the resources to be able to do this, but at this time we do not.
​For non-emergencies, please email our Rescue Program Manager at rescue@alohasanctuary.org
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