After more than a year in shelter, Bianca waits for a family
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When Bianca arrived at Maui Humane Society in late July 2025, she was a severely underweight stray found along Hana Highway.
More than a year later, she has been transformed into what shelter staff describe as a healthy, affectionate and cuddly 60-pound companion. But the 4-year-old German pinscher-Doberman mix is still waiting for a home and family of her own.
Maui Humane Society is asking the community to help Bianca leave shelter life behind after more than a year in its care.
"Bianca has been waiting patiently for a whole year to give her entire heart to a family," the Maui Humane Society team wrote in a news release. "She is the ultimate cuddle buddy, a total joy on day trips, and deserves a quiet, cozy place to rest her head."
Shelter staff and volunteers have given Bianca affection, treats and opportunities to get away from the kennel through the society's Beach Buddies program. Volunteers participating in the program can take shelter dogs on day trips around the island.
The outings offer Bianca a break from the noise of the shelter, where she experiences kennel stress, and give prospective adopters a glimpse of how she behaves away from that environment.
According to the Humane Society, Bianca thrives when she gets out of the shelter and has become an "all-star" guest on her excursions.
Bianca enjoys a beach outing through Maui Humane Society's Beach Buddies program, which gives shelter dogs a chance to spend time away from their kennels. Photo courtesy Maui Humane Society
She enjoys sprawling across the back seat during car rides, rolling in the sand at the beach and napping under tables during stops at places such as Maui Brewing Co. and Paia Bay Coffee. Volunteers also have found her gentle when accepting treats and friendly with the people she meets.
At home, shelter staff say, Bianca would prefer to be as close to her people as possible. She enjoys giving kisses and curling up beside people on a couch or bed.
Bianca is housebroken and crate-trained, walks well on a loose leash and knows commands including "sit" and "shake." The Humane Society said she has done well with adults and children of all ages.
Her future family, however, will need to provide the right setting.
Because Bianca has a strong prey drive, she cannot live with cats, chickens or other small animals. The Humane Society also recommends that she be the only dog in the home.
Staff describe Bianca as clever and athletic. She will need a secure yard and supervision while she is outside rather than being left unattended behind a fence.
The shelter believes a quieter home would allow Bianca to move beyond the stress of kennel life and settle into the role she appears to enjoy most: being a loyal companion.
Bianca stretches out on a couch. Maui Humane Society staff describe her as an affectionate companion who enjoys staying close to people. Photo courtesy Maui Humane Society
Over the past year, staff members and volunteers have watched Bianca regain her health and reveal her affectionate personality. What they have not been able to give her is the one thing they say she needs most -- a permanent place to rest at the end of the day.
People interested in adopting Bianca may visit her at the Maui Humane Society shelter in Puunene or email adoptions@mauihumanesociety.org to arrange a meeting.
Maui Humane Society is a nonprofit organization that provides animal sheltering and adoption services, humane education and other assistance intended to protect animals and connect pets with families.