There are no future meetings planned.

"A United Cause for Paws"

Individuals and groups
working together to improve
the life of animals on the Big Island.

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress
can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

- Mohandas Gandhi

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Paws Across Hawai'i began as a simple visit between two Big Island animals lovers, one from advoCATS, Inc., Kailua-Kona, and the other from Cat-Care, Volcano. The two ladies had a desire to share information between their groups.

Choosing October 25, 2003 (Make a Difference Day), they issued an open invitation to animal lovers and animal welfare groups island-wide. The gathering was a great success! Members of several established animal welfare groups and many other caring individuals attended. Because of that first and subsequent meetings, many connections were made, friendships were established, and, for many, the sense of isolation in our care and concern for animals was dissolved.

The first meeting in Volcano was followed by a January meeting in Waimea, a March meeting in Kona, a May meeting in Hilo, an August meeting is in Naalehu, and a return to Volcano in October 2004; meetings rotated around the island to reach as many people as possible.

Our First Year

During 2004, we focused on one project island-wide: Love-A-Cat Month during June. We offered low-cost microchip clinics in Hawi, Hilo, and Volcano, and promoted Love-A-Cat Month through the media. We also distributed Love-A-Cat buttons, promoting 2-for-1 adoptions at the Hawaii Island Humane Society (HIHS) and Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary. (HIHS did see an increase of 38% in adoptions from the previous year.) We also had veterinary participation, offering discounted services. We had a wonderful response from the business community, who provided thank-you gifts to the veterinarians and veterinary assistants who donated time to our microchip clinics. We created this website to provide information to the public, and developed a humane education program, Paw's Keiki Korner, to bring humane education to our keiki.

Future Directions

Our first year brought about some realizations and changes. Island-wide, each animal welfare group focuses on a special service and/or area of the island. Many groups struggle for their own survival, in need of volunteers and donations. We decided at our October 2004 meeting that, instead of working on projects as a group, we would gather annually, on Make a Difference Day, to maintain our network of connections and friendships.  

"Keeping the connection to affect change."

Several individuals from our group want to change the animal cruelty legislation, and we now have connections to many that can participate in a letter-writing campaign.

It's about the Animals! Let’s all be part of the solution!

Paws Across Hawai’i is currently operating as a program of Cat-Care, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a definitive IRS ruling.