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Roxcie L. Waltjen <br />Harry Kim <br />Director <br />Mayor <br /> <br /> <br />Maurice C. Messina <br /> <br />Deputy Director <br /> <br />DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION <br />101 Pauahi Street, Suite 6  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 <br />(808) 961-8311  Fax (808) 961-8411 <br />Email: parks_recreation@hawaiicounty.gov <br />http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/parks-and-recreation/ <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />May 8, 2018 <br /> <br />NEWS RELEASE <br /> <br />County is Taking Care of All Animals whose Evacuated Owners Report Them Left <br />Behind <br /> <br />The County of Hawai'i wants to assure the community that owners who evacuated amid <br />the eruption in Puna can contact Civil Defense or the evacuation shelters about animals <br />left behind. The County is taking care of all animals of all kinds whose owners have <br />filed these reports. <br /> <br />The Department of Parks and Recreation said that both evacuation shelters at Pahoa <br />Park and Keaau Community Center are pet-friendly. <br /> <br />“We make every effort to help accommodate people with pets or livestock,” said Roxcie <br />Waltjen, Director of Parks and Recreation. <br /> <br />When evacuated residents arrive at a shelter for the first time, in-take personnel ask <br />them numerous questions, including whether any pets or livestock were left behind. <br /> <br />Waltjen noted that several hundred head of cattle have been relocated, with help from <br />large ranches islandwide. There is room for smaller livestock as well. <br /> <br />Horses are being accommodated at the Pana‘ewa Equestrian Center, and private <br />citizens have generously offered fenced property for people needing to house livestock. <br /> <br />“We have not turned anyone away, and are working to accommodate the needs of all <br />the animals,” Waltjen said. <br /> <br />Meanwhile, Council member Tim Richards, a veterinarian, is donating his time to care <br />for the animals housed in the two shelters. He is compiling a list of additional resources <br />that will be made available to the County for feeding animals, Waltjen said. <br /> <br />“Because Council member Richards realizes that there’s a limited supply of grain <br />available, he’s working with State and Federal officials to procure more grain and feed <br />for the animals,” Waltjen said. <br /> <br />County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />