Homeless animals find loving families every day at the Hawaiian Humane Society. The challenge is keeping those furry and feathered friends together with their families because of Hawai'i's limited rental market. The society's Pets in Housing program, begun in 1994, offers suggestions and guidance on how to find a pet-friendly rental.

Finding an affordable, pet-friendly rental unit can be challenging. Not all condos or multi-family homes allow pets, so even buyers face a tough search for a new address.

The Pets in Housing program has a dual purpose: to support pet owners looking for a home, and to encourage landlords, property managers and associations to accept animals.

In 1997, the program introduced its bulletin board, advertising available pet-friendly units. It made the leap to cyberspace in November 2000. All the program's resources are available online.

Landlords can list a property free on the Web site. Listings include a description of the building, amenities, date available, type of pets allowed, monthly rent and contact information.

Property owner Lorene Chang has been using the Hawaiian Humane Society's listing for her apartment rentals for more than four years. She says she has always found the most desirable tenants and pets by using the service.

"I find the tenants to be very caring people — they not only look out for their pets, but they also look out and take care of each other," says Chang. "All my tenants found through the society's important service embody the true spirit of aloha."

The list of pet-friendly buildings divides O'ahu into six areas. The list is easy to cross-reference with housing classified ads. Each address listed has a pet policy; those not listed do not allow pets.

Gayle Glenn of Property Managers Ltd. says, "We find that our property managers have an easier time finding a tenant if the property is pet-friendly. Our property managers also find the society's Web site to be a valuable tool."

Sample rental agreements, a pet addendum, landlord checklists and tips for tenants and property managers are just a few of the downloadable forms available on the Web site.

For more information, go to www.hawaiianhumane.org and click on "Pets in Housing."

Humane Society helps pet-friendly landlords

SIMBA

Tag No. 109608 Simba is a shy guy. This orange and white domestic short- hair mix is five months old and will be a great match for a quiet home and family. He needs encouragement and can be your fur-ever loving companion.

BUSTER

Tag No. 108131 Buster is a little over 1 year old. This brown male pit-bull mix has been neutered. He is shy and timid with people but responds well with encouragement. He is the perfect addition to an adult family.

These animals already may have found homes. The Hawaiian Humane Society and McInerny Dog Park at 2700 Wai'alae Ave. are open weekdays from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., weekends and holidays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For directions, special events and to see more pets available for adoption, visit www.hawaiianhu mane.org or call 946-2187. Call immediately to report lost or found animals, ext. 4.

PETS ON THE NET: AN ONLINE COMMUNITY

Our Web feature, Pet Project, is for people who love their dogs, cats and other animals so much they want to show them off to everyone. At Pet Project, you can submit a photo of your pet, read the latest news about pets, learn about new books on pets or join a discussion group with other pet owners in the community. Go online to the.honoluluadvertiser.com/section/petproject.