Did you know that you can take a shelter dog on an outing? Yep! Kauai Humane Society offers a program called Shelter Dogs on Field Trip — and it’s free!
Available every day except Sundays, it’s as simple as going into the Lihue shelter and ‘checking out’ the dog of your choice. This is a win-win for both visitor and dog alike — vacationer gets their dog fix, and the dog gets their outdoor adventure fix! Most of Kauai‘s beaches and trailheads are dog-friendly except for county-maintained parks/beaches. A couple of rules that do apply though are that dogs must be on leash at all times and are not permitted in any dog park.
Recommended Dog-Friendly Places to Visit
- Maha`ulepu Beach, Poipu
- Kalapaki Beach, Lihue
- Sleeping Giant, Wailua
- Moalepe Trail, Wailua
- Wailua Abroretum, Wailua
- Koke`e State Park/Waimea Canyon
While the intention is really to keep the dogs healthy and well-socialized, visitors frequently fall in love with their ‘field trip’ dog and end up adopting! On average, the shelter adopts out four animals a month to visiting guests. They help with the relocation process and now have dogs all over the country! Pretty great program if you ask me.
Pick-Up Hours
- Tuesday-Friday 11am-1pm
- Saturday and Monday 10am-12pm
Return By
- Tuesday-Friday 5:30pm
- Saturday and Monday 3:30pm
Interested?
For more information, you can contact the Kauai Humane Society at 808.632.0619, or check out their website for all the details.
Susan Mathis
February 4, 2016
On my 7th visit to the healing Island of Kauai I participated in the take a sweet shelter dog waking on the beach for a day program.
I found the program to be very organized! I visited the shelter one day while I had some extra time … My sister was on a photo tour and it was running late … I had seen this program advertised on the Kauai commercial of things to do and I was corious. I was also homesick and missing my fur babies.
During my pre visit the staff was very welcoming in. The open air facility was upbeat and beautiful. That day it was extremely hot. I was impressed that they had fan on the dogs. I wish the facility could be opened up more for the workers their area was extremely hot however they never complained each member of the staff was kind and caring and I could tell they loved the animals with passion.
They asked me to pick out a dog for my day on the beach and that was honestly the hardest part as I wanted to take them all. One little dog just continued to make eye contact w me and wagged her little tail as if she was saying…. Pick me pick me I want to show you
Susan Mathis
February 4, 2016
On my 7th visit to the healing Island of Kauai I participated in the take a sweet shelter dog waking on the beach for a day program.
I found the program to be very organized! I visited the shelter one day while I had some extra time … My sister was on a photo tour and it was running late … I had seen this program advertised on the Kauai commercial of things to do and I was corious. I was also homesick and missing my fur babies.
During my pre visit the staff was very welcoming in. The open air facility was upbeat and beautiful. That day it was extremely hot. I was impressed that they had fan on the dogs. I wish the facility could be opened up more for the workers their area was extremely hot however they never complained each member of the staff was kind and caring and I could tell they loved the animals with passion.
They asked me to pick out a dog for my day on the beach and that was honestly the hardest part as I wanted to take them all. One little dog just continued to make eye contact w me and wagged her little tail as if she was saying…. Pick me pick me I want to show you