Current Laws
The laws that have been developed by our county and state governments serve to protect animals and people in our community. Enforcement of these laws may be by the Humane Society, Honolulu Police Department or another agency.
The Hawaiian Humane Society will not release the name of someone who makes a complaint to us, however, it is important that you give us your name, address and phone number so we can provide you with information on the status of your complaint.
FEDERAL LAWS
Animal Fighting Prohibition Act
This 2007 law provides felony penalties for interstate commerce, import and export related to animal fighting activities, including commerce in cockfighting, and other forms of animal fighting by providing stiffer penalties. Each violation fo the federal law may bring up to three years in jail and up to a $250,000 fine for perpetrators. Click here for more information.
Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Acts
This federal legislation requires that state and local emergency preparedness operational plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency. The act also provides financial support to states and local authorities for animal emergency preparedness purposes. The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act was put into effect on October 6, 2006 as an amendement to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
STATE AND COUNTY LAWS
Abandonment
It is illegal to abandon any animal in Hawaii. Abandoned animals suffer from starvation, attack and injury. To report an animal that you think has been abandoned, please call us at 356-2280. To read the law regarding abandonment (animal desertion), click here (143-2.6).
Animal Cruelty
Animals depend on humans for their well-being. If you suspect an animal is being abused or neglected, please call us immediately at 356-2280, or call HPD at 911. If an animal is being hurt and in danger, you may call the Humane Society number 24 hours a day. Failure to provide an animal food, water and shelter causes suffering and is considered neglect under the law. Call us at the number above to report neglect. For a description of cruelty, click here. For the balance of the law, click here (711-1109).
Animal Therapy
Animals may be brought into long term health care facilities for the purpose of visiting patients at the discretion of the institution. Click here for more information.
Barking Dogs
A dog owner is in violation of the City & County of Honolulu's animal nuisance law when their dog barks intermittently for 30 minutes or constantly for 10 minutes to the disturbance of others.
To find out how the Humane Society responds to these complaints, click here.
To download a 2-page brochure (PDF file) about training your dog not to bark at inappropriate times, click here. To read the animal nuisance law, click here and scroll to Sec. 7-2.1.
Cat Identification
Identification is required for all cats over 6 months of age on Oahu, whether they are kept indoors or allowed outside. This is essential to protect cats. Since mandatory identification for cats was enacted in 1995, the numbers of lost cats reunited with their owners has risen dramatically. There is no license fee and the type of identification is up to the owner. It may be a microchip, or a collar or collar and tag with the owner's name, address and phone number. Microchips are available at veterinarians around Oahu. To read more about the cat identification law, click here and scroll to Sec. 7-6.1.
Crowing Roosters
When crowing continues for ten continuous minutes or intermittently for 30 minutes, it is a violation of the animal nuisance law. Keeping more than two chickens in a residential area is also a violation of the animal nuisance law. If you are having a problem with a neighbor's roosters, we suggest you try talking to your neighbor first. If the noise problem re-occurs, you need to contact the Honolulu Police Department to file a complaint. Another resource for resolving a dispute with your neighbor is The Mediation Center of the Pacific, 521-6767. To read the animal nuisance law, click here and scroll to Sec. 7-2.1.
Dangerous Dogs (Effective July 1, 2001)
People and other animals are protected as part of the City & County Dangerous Dog Ordinance. If a dog bites or harms a person or domestic animal, the owner may be required to appear in court. The court will determine any possibly fines, whether the dog is deemed to be dangerous, and what steps the owner must take to prevent further problems. Corrective action mandated by the court may include requiring the dog to be spayed or neutered, attend obedience training, wear a muzzle, and be kept in the home or a locked kennel. The dog's owner may be fined up to $2,000 and 30 days in jail. To read the dangerous dogs law, click here and scroll to Sec. 7-7.1 – 7.
Dogs in Pick-up Trucks, Horses in Trailers
Dogs in the back of pickup trucks must be properly restrained. They must be in a secured carrier or cross-tethered from three points in the truck bed to prevent them from being thrown from the truck. Effective 6/16/04, horses and cattle transported on any public street or highway shall be carried within enclosed vehicles. A vehicle shall be deemed enclosed, even if it provides openings for ventilation, so long as the horses or cattle cannot fall or jump off of or out of the vehicle through any of its openings. The Honolulu Police Department enforces this law. To make a complaint, call HPD directly (call 911). To read more about the law, click here and scroll to Sec. 15-24.22.
Leash Law
The leash law was designed to ensure the safety of dogs and people in our community. Dogs on public property are required to be under restraint, that is, on a leash of eight feet or less. This includes beaches and parks, except for those specifically designated as off-leash parks. In addition, dogs are not allowed on private property without the property owner's consent. To read more about the leash law, click here and scroll to Sec. 7-4.2.
Licensing
Thousands of animals get lost each year. Wearing a license tag will enable the Humane Society to return your lost dog to you. Dogs age 4-months or older are required to be licensed every two years. For more information about fees, or to download an application form, click here (PDF form). To read more about the law, click here and scroll to 7-3.1
Lost and Found
The Humane Society is the official lost and found center for animals on Oahu
If you've lost an animal click here.
If you've found an animal, click here.
To read the law regarding lost dogs, click here (143-10).
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
All cats that are age 6-months or older and allowed outside are required to be spayed or neutered. Not only is this important to help reduce pet overpopulation, but there are also many health benefits to cats that have been sterilized. To learn more about the law, click here and scroll to Sec. 7-6.6.
Numbers and Types of Animals Allowed
If you live in a residential area, no more than ten dogs, aged 4-months or older, are allowed. Two chickens per household are the limit in residential areas. Pigs and other farm animals are permitted in residential areas only if the requirements in Sec 7-2.5 are met. There is no law governing the number of cats, birds or other companion animals you may keep. To read more about the animal nuisance law, click here and scroll to Sec. 7-2.5.
Pet Waste Pickup
City & County ordinance against littering includes a provision that applies to animals. If your pet deposits feces on private or public property, you are required to clean it up. The Honolulu Police Department enforces the litter law. Please contact HPD directly. To read more about the litter law, click here and scroll to Sec. 29-4.4 (2)(9).
Rabbits
Rabbits may not be kept on the ground, but rather in hutches that are built up off the ground. This helps prevent rabbits from getting loose and posing a threat to our environment. The Department of Agriculture enforces this law. To read more about the law, click here (142-95).
Restricted Animals
To help protect Hawaii's fragile environment, there are animals that are not allowed into the state. The Department of Agriculture enforces this law. If you are in the state and have an animal that is not allowed, you may call the Department of Agriculture to arrange to bring it to them (or the Humane Society) under their amnesty program. Click here to visit the Department of Agriculture website.
Quarantine
Hawaii State law governs the importation of dogs, cats and other carnivores into Hawaii. This law states that dogs and cats meeting specific pre- and post-arrival requirements may qualify for 5-day-or-less quarantine program, which also has a provision for direct release at the airport after inspection. Click here to visit the Department of Agriculture website.
Public Shelters; accommodation of pet
The City & County must identify emergency public shelters suitable for animals. The Hawaiian Humane Society is a first responder in civil defense. For more information, click here.
Zoning
For information about the numbers of animals allowed, which animals are allowed in residential areas, and special requirements, click here and scroll to Sec. 7-2.5.