Hawaii: Not exactly pet paradise (Hilo, Kailua: apartments, rental, condos)

[smarino]

I saw the two stories below today on the Hawaii Tribune. It would be comical if it wasn't so sad. TWO stories in one day on this? Think they're trying to send a message?

Gone to the dogs | Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Veteran with service dog evicted from hotel | Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Fortunately, despite the Tribune Herald's decidedly slanted articles, problems like this are rare to non existent. Anywhere but Hawaii that is, a place I have long considered the most anti-pet state on the planet. Ever look at the animal quarantine rules? Sure, they say it's about keeping rabies out, but that's bull. No other state in America does this. The rules used to be much, much more draconian. Like many things, it's really about extorting as much money as they can from pet companions (NOT pet owners. Slavery was abolished a long time ago).

I remember having to give the family dog of 11 years away when we lived in Hilo and moved from Ke'aau because no one would allow us to have a dog in a rental. No one. We tried every rental agency there was, and even individuals renting. One person didn't want to rent to us even w/o the dog because we had the wife's teenager w/ us. Isn't that illegal? He was concerned that other teenagers would be hanging around. Explaining that Marty was a 4.0 honor student at St Joseph high school made no difference. No teenagers, and especially no pets. I ran an ad at the wonderful health food store downtown and finally got lucky and found someone to take Pal, but it was almost impossible.

Even when we owned condos there, no pets. You pay $200,000 for a little apartment and can't even have a cat??? We have lived in 4 states since leaving Hawaii, and its like night and day. Pets are everywhere. Every other car seems to have a dog happily getting some wind in a car window, they're w/ people at outdoor cafes, and in the senior retirement community they ride around on the golf carts. People walk them. People put them in strollers like babies when the pets get too old to get around. They're one of the family. And you know what? In those 12 years we have been on the mainland, in those 4 states, we have seen not ONE problem w/ this. Not one. Starbucks is not my favorite coffeehouse, more like an anti coffeehouse, but I give them business because they have signs in their places over here that say you will never, ever, be asked to prove that your animal is a service animal. If someone says it is, that's good enough for them. They are pro animal, and good for them!

The pets over here are generally people friendly (duh, why else would you bring them w/ you?), and like to socialize w/ other people and other pets. In Hawaii, they're a pest, apparently. Maybe its that Asian thing. I've been reading more and more about how people are disassociated from nature these days, and several people who run camps mentioned that the Japanese just don't have an innate sense of animals in nature when they come to the nature camps. They have to be shown that the animals are part of the whole scene. Otherwise, they just ignore them. That's probably how it is in Japan, where space seems to be at a premium, and most people do not have a pet. No yard.

I think its sad. We're animals, and we now know that the difference between our DNA and many other animals is very, very small. They are us, and we are them. Its time people stop mistreating them and torturing them and murdering them for their flesh. They have feelings just like us. We're no better than them, and if you look at our actions, we're a heck of a lot worse. There will never be peace until every living being is treated w/ dignity and respect. Make a little being happy. Bring one into your home, Adopt a mistreated and abandoned pet an your local animal shelter. Be a good animal.

[KaraBenNemsi]

Actually would like to see an article about the folks in Hawaii who still EAT their dogs. Yes, they live amongst us and continue to do it. Never read or heard the Humane Society or PETA cracking down on that despicable habit.

[Tiger Beer]

Uhmmmmm....I think I've said this on the forum before, and I got a lot of flack from it.

But, I don't understand why animal people want to live in tiny apartments with animals. Animal people should live in big houses, of farms, or places for animals to run around.

If you really love your animals, don't move to a tiny little apartment with cramped space, and limited land use nearby. It's a 'pet peeve' (pardon the pun) of mine; but I really hate seeing people entering crowded elevators, crowded streets; and having to have them on a tight leash all the time and then bring them up into a cramped tiny little apartment afterwards. I just don't see how an animal lover likes doing that to a, particularly BIG animal.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by smarino

Maybe its that Asian thing. I've been reading more and more about how people are disassociated from nature these days, and several people who run camps mentioned that the Japanese just don't have an innate sense of animals in nature when they come to the nature camps. They have to be shown that the animals are part of the whole scene. Otherwise, they just ignore them. That's probably how it is in Japan, where space seems to be at a premium, and most people do not have a pet. No yard.

As a person who has been living in Asia for quite a long time....in Japan, Korea, Macau.

I find Japanese people to be significantly more intuitive and attentive about things way more than Koreans or Chinese.

Pets in Japan. They have them, pets are popular in Japan. Also, not all of Japan equals Tokyo. There are plenty of large houses throughout the entire nation that runs the length of San Diego to Seattle. Tokyo is just a rather big dot in that space; but not representative of 'space' through and through Japan.

If there is a correlation with Japanese and pets, it MIGHT possibly be that Japanese don't like annoying neighbors. Loud dogs have a potential to annoy neighbors; which is a big no-no in Japan. People like things to be quiet in Japan; and respect for others is very important. That being said, I see plenty of pet-owners in Japan. But, it is unusual that they'd have a loud yappy type of dog though.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by smarino

I saw the two stories below today on the Hawaii Tribune. It would be comical if it wasn't so sad. TWO stories in one day on this? Think they're trying to send a message?


Gone to the dogs | Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Veteran with service dog evicted from hotel | Hawaii Tribune-Herald

I took the message as - a lot of people are gaming the system regarding comfort dogs - for which legitimate cases are now suspect.

Originally Posted by smarino

Anywhere but Hawaii that is, a place I have long considered the most anti-pet state on the planet. Ever look at the animal quarantine rules? Sure, they say it's about keeping rabies out, but that's bull. No other state does this

Then again, no other state is an island, no other state is rabies free. Plenty of other countries have the same requirement, see the Johnny Depp story when he smuggled in his dogs recently?

Johnny Depp Could Face 10 Years in Prison For Taking Dogs to Australia

Regardless, the quarantine can occur on the mainland and I'd understand the point if rabies existed in Hawaii, which is does not - therefore, I find it hard to disagree with the precautions.

Originally Posted by smarino

I remember having to give the family dog of 11 years away when we lived in Hilo and moved from Ke'aau because no one would allow us to have a dog in a rental. No one. We tried every rental agency there was, and even individuals renting.

Landlords should not be required to have pets on property they own. Demand outstrips supply, therefore it is a landlord market. Offering more rent per month often will sway a landlord. Money talks.

Originally Posted by smarino

Even when we owned condos there, no pets. You pay $200,000 for a little apartment and can't even have a cat???

Many condos allow cats - even small dogs. However, some people buy condos specifically because they don't want to hear barking dogs. It should be up to the condo community to make the rules.

If you really want a pet, there is always the single family home option.

Originally Posted by smarino

In Hawaii, they're a pest, apparently. Maybe its that Asian thing.

That is a bit of a stretch. Come to the beach here in Kailua on Oahu - you will see a lot of dogs all over the place owned by Asians and non-Asians.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by KaraBenNemsi

Actually would like to see an article about the folks in Hawaii who still EAT their dogs.

It happens, right when I moved here this article came out:

starbulletin.com | News | /2007/12/19/

And while the men in the story above did end up going to jail, it isn't illegal to eat your own dog in Hawaii.

No Law Against Eating Dogs And Cats - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL

[pj737]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

Uhmmmmm....I think I've said this on the forum before, and I got a lot of flack from it.

But, I don't understand why animal people want to live in tiny apartments with animals. Animal people should live in big houses, of farms, or places for animals to run around.

If you really love your animals, don't move to a tiny little apartment with cramped space, and limited land use nearby.

As long as the owners take their pets out to "run around" outside of their tiny condos, it's perfectly humane to house most animals in units designed for and large enough for human occupancy. Of course I'm not saying you should house a Great Dane in a 250 SF studio - common sense should still apply.

If you really love your animals, you won't buy them from breeders. Go to the humane society or pick up a pup from an accidental litter for the cost of immunization on Craigslist.

Nothing more contradicting than a self-proclaimed "animal lover" that pays top dollar for their pet from a breeder.

[Mikala43]

I do find Hawaii to be less pet friendly then a lot of other states, but I agree with the pet importation guidelines and quarantine. As a landlord, I would not want to rent to people with pets either. If more rights are wanted, purchase. If you can't purchase, don't have pets. Everything has rules, when I find I don't like rules, I go where I do.

Our community has TONS of dogs, but it is SFD.

[Mikala43]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

It happens, right when I moved here this article came out:

starbulletin.com | News | /2007/12/19/

And while the men in the story above did end up going to jail, it isn't illegal to eat your own dog in Hawaii.

No Law Against Eating Dogs And Cats - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL

It happens a lot and I hate it. It's ignored to a great extent because it is "cultural", like **** fighting.

[hotzcatz]

They only eat the ones with black noses so if you're worried, get a red nosed dog. He will be safe.

Well, a lot of folks have been claiming their pets are "service" or "comfort" pets so they can get them on the airlines. They then get them into the grocery stores and other places you'd probably not want to have a dog and sometimes these aren't very well mannered pets. Nor housebroken.

Not buying from a breeder would depend on the breeder, I'd expect. There's puppy mills and then there's folks breeding for a better dog. If folks didn't breed to the standard, there'd be nothing but mutts. Some dogs breeds are still doing the work they were bred for and are still needed as a specific breed. Also, if bred to standard, you'll know what your cute puppy will look like and how it will act as an adult. A reputable breeder's dogs won't show up in shelters, either, since the breeder would take them back if their new owners couldn't keep them. All the specific breed breeders that I know sort of run a rescue for that specific breed on the side so if you're a pet lover, I'd expect you'd be buying from them.