More than 3,000 pets still missing after Maui fires as crews work to save animals found in charred rubble

Heartbreaking footage has emerged of burnt pets caught in Maui’s devastating wildfires – as crews work to locate missing animals and reunite families.

Maui Humane Society says it has received 367 reports of missing animals since the horrific fires broke out on the Hawaiian island last week.

The animal charity, based in Pu’unene, estimates that around 3,000 animals are still missing following the ongoing tragedy.

The organization’s shelter on Pi’ilani Highway has already received 52 live animals from Lahaina, 12 of which are hospitalized in the facility’s clinic with injuries.

Eight pets have been reunited with their owners, some of whom have lost everything.

The hunt for missing pets comes as search teams continue to make their way through the town devastated by wildfires. Nearly 100 people have been confirmed dead and more than 1,000 are still missing.

The Puunene-based animal charity estimates around 3,000 animals are still missing following the ongoing tragedy

The organization’s shelter on the Pi’ilani Highway in Puʻunēnē has already received 52 live animals from Lahaina

The Humane Society has asked that volunteers or residents who encounter dead animals not move or destroy them.

“We respectfully request that the animals not be moved or destroyed so that we can catalog them,” said CEO Dr. Lisa M. Labrecque.

“People are desperate for their pets. Any closure we can give.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Labrecque explained that the charity is working closely with the Maui Police Department on appropriate areas to search for animals and will expand its locations when they can.

Feeding and watering stations have been placed around the perimeters of the burned areas to attract surviving animals that might take shelter there.

Teams of veterinarians were also stationed at Napili Plaza and the Lahaina Civic Center to treat injured animals, primarily for burns and smoke inhalation.

“I’ve been sleeping on the floor for four days,” veterinarian Jenna Wallace told Maui.

“I have been the only vet here for four days. I slept on the ground.

Feeding and watering stations were placed around the perimeters of the burned areas to attract surviving animals that might take shelter inside.

Eight pets have been reunited with their owners, some of whom have lost everything

Twelve pets are hospitalized at the facility’s clinic with injuries including burns and smoke inhalation

All kinds of animals including birds, horses, dogs, cats and goats are catered for

Franklin ‘Frankie’ Trejos, 68, died trying to rescue Sam, a golden retriever. The two were found dead in a car

“I treated around 45 pets yesterday by myself. … We see dogs suffering from dehydration, not eating, stress, being in cars and being exhausted.

“The first night we slept on dog beds that were donated,” she added.

Larger animals such as horses, sheep, pigs and goats are also catered for. Horses and cattle were moved from Kula and the surrounding fire area.

Field service crews provided food and water to West Maui and Upcountry and brought a 500 gallon water trailer and three large animal feed trailers to West Maui.

Hawaiian authorities updated the death toll to 99 confirmed victims on Tuesday, but also warned the figure is likely to double as search efforts continue.

Only three people have been officially identified and work has been hampered as many remains are badly burned.

The grim developments come as new footage has emerged of residents’ desperate attempts to flee wildfires that spiraled out of control a week ago.

Clyde Wakida is pictured with his 46-year-old wife, Penny. He died trying to save the house they built together 35 years ago

Carole Hartley, 60, of Alabama, was one of the first wildfire victims to be identified

Video captured by a resident of Lahaina, the historic town razed by the fires, shows a large group of people clinging to the shore as they are engulfed in clouds of ash, embers and smoke.

Denny Yuckert, the man who filmed the video, said the group hunkered down for several hours, nearly choking on the smoke.

A small number of active-duty U.S. Marines have joined the effort to help Maui’s recovery amid criticism of the response, which residents have called slow and inadequate.

Crews from Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 153 flew active duty personnel from Oahu to Maui on Monday to establish a command and control element that will coordinate U.S. military support.

The Hawaii National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are already on the ground, but a larger U.S. active duty response requires a formal request from Hawaii to begin operations there. . The creation of a cell could signal that a broader MoD effort is about to begin.

On Monday, Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said the Army wanted to help but didn’t want to rush uncoordinated personnel so as not to create new logistical problems for recovery efforts.

Many of those who survived began moving into hundreds of hotel rooms reserved for displaced residents.

Search crews had covered about 25% of the search area, Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said Monday. That’s up just three percent on Saturday.

Gov. Josh Green previously said he expected “10 to 20” bodies to be recovered daily in an operation expected to last around ten days. About 1,300 people were still missing as of Sunday, he said.

The fire that swept through centuries-old Lahaina last week destroyed nearly every building in the town of 13,000.

About 86% of the approximately 2,200 ruined buildings were residential, and the value of destroyed property was estimated at over $5 billion.