History

The Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary grew from Mary Rose Krijgsman’s deep concern for the welfare of animals on the island of Hawai’i.  Seeing dogs tied up to short chains and cats abandoned at the transfer stations she decided she wanted to do something.

In December 1999 Mary Rose visited Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah where she volunteered and talked with numerous staff members and volunteers about what it means to run a sanctuary.

In March 2000, Mary Rose returned to Best Friends for formal training in the establishment of an animal sanctuary.  She also traveled to Reno, Nevada, for training in emergency animal rescue.  By then it was clear to her that she wanted to establish an animal sanctuary on the island of Hawai’i and to do that with friends.  In the same year Mary Rose met Camille Sigmund over a book about wolves at a local bookstore.  Camille was the first one to join forces.  Then at a meeting for non-profit organizations Sabina Ludwig and Mary Rose met and Sabina joined the team and has been working with the dogs ever since.  Mary Rose’s former partner Lanny Sinkin was also very much part of the formative years.

It was the rescue of a bull lab mix that really was the deciding factor to open a sanctuary.  She was named Bridgit, the bridge between indifference and loneliness to love among friends.  In May 2001, the sanctuary purchased a 7.5-acre-property near Kurtistown that contained a two-story home and a nursery.  Construction soon began on kennels and pens for the dogs and catteries for the cats.  By January 2002, there were more than 50 dogs and 75 cats in residence, along with one guinea pig and six chickens.

The Board of Directors is a working board, comprised of eight friends and colleagues.  As of 2011, the Sanctuary has grown considerably.  There is now room for approximately 85 dogs and 230 cats.  The sanctuary, and the community, are incredibly lucky to have a few, very dedicated, volunteers who work tirelessly to keep the animals fed and healthy.