Family would never leave one another behind, and this includes pets. In Hawai'i's tight rental market, finding pet-friendly housing is often disheartening.

Hawaiian Humane Society research found that apartments that say "no pets" limit their pool of applicants by more than 50 percent. In addition, renters with pets tend to stay at an address longer and have higher incomes than those without pets. Despite those findings, the society only saw an 11 percent increase in pet-friendly residential projects in 2005.

Newer O'ahu developments that cater to the luxury market, for example Honolulu's Hokua or Downtown's Capitol Place, welcome pets and have even created pet-friendly condominium communities with off-leash dog parks. In addition, a few of Hawai'i's senior housing communities are now welcoming residents with pets.

However, a pet-friendly community doesn't end with housing. While Mainland trends lean toward pet-friendliness, there are too few places in Hawai'i where well-behaved dogs and their owners are welcome.

www.Dogfriendly.com's Web site conducts a yearly survey of canine-friendly cities in the U.S. based on criteria including dog-friendly lodging, attractions, outdoor restaurants and beaches; public transportation for pets and people; and cities that don't unreasonably regulate well-behaved leashed dogs in public.

The site honors Chicago for its hotels that welcome dogs and excellent canine-friendly parks. Also, dogs are welcome in many outdoor cafes and bars.

In the October issue of Dog Fancy magazine, San Diego was selected as "DogTown USA 2007," boasting more than 60 dog-friendly hotels and 50-plus dog-friendly restaurants. In addition to off-leash dog parks, the city is home to the best off-leash beaches in California.

The Humane Society is working with community advocates to create more pet-friendly neighborhoods and public places like parks and beaches and additional publicly sponsored off-leash dog parks. Laws written when animals played a very different role in our lives need to be changed. We are also advocating for changes in housing laws so that fewer people come to our doors saying, "We are moving and can't keep Loki."

On an island with 330,000 dogs and cats in 56 percent of O'ahu's households, Pearl City resident Donovan Kealoha is championing the effort to have a dog park built in his neighborhood. He is working with the society's community advocacy liaison, Kawehi Yim, and has been successful in getting Councilman Gary Okino and state representatives to listen.

Dog-friendly parks are desperately needed in developing communities such as 'Ewa Beach and Kapolei. Residents interested in advocating for pet-friendly places should contact Kawehi Yim at kyim@hawaiianhumane.org or 356-2247.

ADOPTABLES

ROMEO

TAG NO. 07-17001

The beauty of this good-sized Siamese mix is readily apparent. Romeo is free to anyone 60 or older, by virtue of our "Seniors for Seniors Program," and, in fact, needs a more sedate setting with no keiki running him ragged.

JOE

TAG NO. 07-17260

Whadyya know, Joe? Joe knows he'd like to get the heck out of this joint and into a suitable home of his own! Golden-brown in color, Joe is a long and lanky hombre, who has had some obedience training.

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. to 7 p.m., weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For directions, special events and to see more pets available for adoption, visit www.hawaiianhumane.org or call 946-2187. Call immediately to report lost or found animals, ext. 4.