ROH §12-4.12
How the animal shelter must handle each dog
Read the official text at honolulu.gov ↗The animal control contractor must do one of five things with every dog it holds: adopt it out, return it to its owner, put it in foster care, transfer it to another shelter or rescue group, or euthanize it. Euthanasia is only allowed after the required holding period and only in specific situations.
state agencies
The ordinance, as written (Honolulu County) — Procedures for release by the animal control contractor
A copy, taken August 22, 2026. The version published by Honolulu is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
(a) The animal control contractor shall do the following for each dog in its custody:
(1) Adopt out the dog;
(2) Return the dog to its owner;
(3) Place the dog in foster care;
(4) Transfer the dog to another animal shelter or animal welfare group; or
(5) Euthanize the dog if permitted under subsection (b).
(b) A dog may be euthanized after the mandatory confinement period as required under § 12-4.3 , if applicable; provided that the animal control contractor has determined that:
(1) The dog is suffering from an injury, terminal illness, or other health problem that severely affects the dog’s or another animal’s quality of life;
(2) The dog exhibits unsocial or dangerous behavior that would preclude adoption;
(3) The dog exhibits behavior that is likely to result in bodily injury or death to another animal or human being; or
(4) The owner of the dog has relinquished custody of the dog to the animal control contractor and has requested that the animal control contractor euthanize the dog.
Published by the City and County of Honolulu through American Legal Publishing.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.