Calls received regarding Animal Control services are categorized as Priority 1, 2, or 3. Animal Control staff continue to respond to Priority 1 calls 24 hours a day island-wide. Since July 1, 2021, Animal Control staff have responded to 30-50 calls a day, of which, an average of 20 of those calls require an immediate response. Priority 1 calls include those for injured animals, any animal that is a public safety risk, animal cruelty, and situations in which an animal’s owner has been arrested or died with no family to pick up the pet. Police ask that the public call Police Dispatch at (808) 935-3311 for Priority 1, or emergency requests for assistance.

For Priority 2 calls, those pertaining to lost or found pets and non-emergency issues, the public should call Animal Control staff at (808) 327-3558 or email at hpdanimalcontrol@hawaiicounty.gov. When leaving a message, please leave your name clearly, and repeat your contact information so that staff may contact you promptly. Staff answer the phones and return calls during normal business hours.

Priority 3 calls pertain to deceased animals on the roadway. If people come across a deceased animal on a County road please call the Department of Public Works Highways Division at (808) 961-8349. If the deceased animal is on a State Highway or road, please call the State Department of Transportation Highways Division at (808) 933-8866.

Actions You Can Take if You Find a Stray Animal or Lose a Pet

• People who find healthy stray animals are encouraged to have the animal scanned for a microchip by a County of Hawai‘i Animal Control Officer (call (808) 327-3558), at a veterinarian’s office, or by a local rescue group. HPD has provided guidance to veterinarian offices on island about protocols regarding lost and found healthy animals. If a found animal is microchipped, veterinarians can try to find its owner by searching for microchip on www.my24pet.com.
• People who find a healthy stray animal or who lose a pet are encouraged to post it as lost / found on https://lost.petcolove.org. Petco Love Lost is a new, searchable national database that uses patented facial recognition technology to make finding lost pets quicker and easier. This simple-to-use tool will be easily accessible to participating animal organizations nationwide, as well as any pet parent or person who finds a lost pet.

Uploaded photos of a missing dog or cat are immediately scanned to determine whether the lost pet is at a participating shelter or with a neighbor in the community. There are a handful of organizations across the island using this technology, including County of Hawai‘i Animal Control Services. The technology scans photos at the shelters every two hours to reunite lost pets and their owners as quickly and efficiently as possible.

If someone finds a healthy stray animal, they can contact Animal Control Services at (808) 327-3558. Shelter capacity is still limited and averages 200 animals per day. However, County Animal Control has, and continues to, admit healthy strays as their capacity for care allows.

Animal Control takes a photo of stray and injured animals upon intake, which is automatically uploaded to lost.petcolove.org and refreshed every two hours seeking matches via facial recognition technology with lost animal reports. We encourage the public to use every available option to them, including social media. Confiscated animal photos are not shared with the public due to ongoing case proceedings. Should you be unable to access petcolove.org, you may contact the shelter for assistance.