Dog Outing Program - Beach Buddies
Most dogs are at their best when they are out of the shelter. Our Beach Buddies program invites visitors and kama‘āina to share a joyful outing with a shelter dog, helping our dogs relax, express their personalities, and make meaningful connections with potential adopters.
Beach Buddies focuses on the dogs who benefit most from time away from the busy shelter environment. These pups are often young, large, or energetic. These dogs may still be perfecting their manners or leash skills, so participants should be confident in their dog handling abilities. Participants must be 18 and older.
Temporary Program Pause
Our Dog Outing program is taking a short break from January 1–17 as Maui Humane Society takes part in a study centered on improving life for shelter dogs. The study looks at how time spent in offices, away from the kennel environment, can help lower stress and provide meaningful enrichment for dogs in our care.
Appointments will reopen on January 9, with dog outings resuming on January 19.
Mahalo for your understanding and continued support of Maui’s shelter dogs.
Do you live on Maui and want to regularly take shelter dogs on fun outings? Join our volunteer pack! MHS Volunteers can take pups on field trips with Kama’aina Beach Buddies, following a slightly different process than our guest Beach Buddies program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring with me?
Can I bring my own dog on the outing?
We ask that your Beach Buddies companion be only dog on your excursion. Our shelter dogs often share kennels so they benefit greatly from the one-on-one attention that Beach Buddies provides. Plus, being the only dog gives your new friend chance to shine to potential adopters!
Can I request a specific size or breed of dog?
The majority of our Beach Buddies dogs are medium to large sized and may be strong. Due to the constant flux of dogs in and out of the shelter, we cannot fulfill requests to be paired with a dog that excludes specific breeds or sizes.
Where can we go with our dog?
The info card we provide will give you a general idea of where you can take your dog, or you can reference this map. We request that your excursion does not include the West Side (Lahaina/Ka’anapali) or the Road to Hana due to potential traffic issues. As some dogs have heat restrictions and other limitations, we may suggest that instead of the beach, you may want to venture Upcountry for beautiful forested hiking on the easy Waihou Spring Forest Reserve trail or the moderate Kahakapao Loop Trail in the Makawao Forest Reserve. Another destination option is that you may choose to take your dog out to lunch at one of our dog-friendly local restaurants that offer outdoor seating and shade.
Who do I call if I have any questions when I am out with my dog?
For emergencies, please call 808-877-3680 ext. 14.
What happens if I fall in love with my outing dog?
We get it… it’s easy to fall in love with our pups! Click here to learn more about adopting, sponsoring, or transporting your new buddy.
What if I’m not able to handle a large or young dog?
We aren’t able to accommodate requests from guests who aren’t able to handle a large, energetic, or strong dog at this time. Please note, you are always welcome to walk through our shelter to visit our other pets!
Can kids join?
Yes, kids are welcome to join the outings. We ask that this is noted on your registration and that adults remain the dog’s handlers throughout the day.
Can I take out two dogs?
We may have two dogs available to go with groups of 4+ as our dogs’ schedules allow. We will keep this in mind when possible.
Scheduling Tips
What if the website says “No spots available this month?”
If Calendly says “no appointments available this month,” new slots will still open 10 days out, between 11:30 AM–12:30 PM HST.
Please arrive on time for your appointment. Any significantly late parties may not be guaranteed an outing dog.
What if all pre-registration spots are full?
We may have other openings to take a Dog on Demand on a walk-in basis. The number of walk-in openings will vary each day (it all depends on our dogs’ needs and schedules). We encourage you to check in with our Pet Resource Specialists in the front office.
If all eligible dogs have had outings, you’re still welcome to visit and say hello to our other shelter pets.