Meet “Bunny Bear” or Mama as she is affectionately called by the Hawaii Island Humane Society shelter staff.Mama came in as a fearfully aggressive,hairless and toothless stray with 6 puppies.She was devoted to her babies and accepted food,but would growl and cower in her kennel.
Once her babies were weaned Mama was enrolled in “New Leash On Life,” a teen volunteer dog training program at HIHS.The teens learned basic obedience training from Chance Bateman of Focused k-9’s and now train the shelter dogs to become more adoptable. Logan, Mama’s trainer spent many hours with Mama and now she is a completely different dog than one we first met.
Chance has donated many hours to HIHS,the dogs and the teens.Many of our shelter residence have found their forever homes because of this program.As for Mama,she was adopted Oct.19th after many months at the Kona shelter.We will miss her but are happy she found her forever home. Thank you Chance,Focused K-9’s,and Logan.
Bebe Ackerman, Humane Educator Hawaii Island Humane Society
