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To: County Council 23 March 2006
<br /> Subject: Hawaii Island Humane Society -Requesting County Council to increase the budget to make
<br /> available to the Island people more discounted coupons and /or no cost coupons for dogs and cats
<br /> sterilization.
<br /> We commend the committee to establish a spay & neuter fund from proceeds of dog license fees, all
<br /> impoundment and kennel fees, including any grants and private contributions.
<br /> These generated monies although helpful, fall short on what is needed to make available to the island
<br /> people, truly affordable or no cost spay & neuter for dogs and cats. In 2005, the HIHS total adoption was
<br /> 1,942, with only 952 redemptions from 12,644 received animals, and over 10,000 mostly healthy animals
<br /> were euthanized. This shows there are not enough homes for all the animals born, these figures does not
<br /> include the thousands and thousands of abandon animals that we see too often at schools, recycle stations,
<br /> dumps, hotels, parks, shopping malls, subdivisions, and appearing in residents' backyards. Many of these
<br /> animals are unable to survive the elements and die from starvation, disease, abuse, or when struck by cats.
<br /> On February 1 (2006), at the Keaau Humane Society, 105 discounted coupons were made available and
<br /> sold out on the same day. Between Feb 2 &14, a tally count was kept on how many people was turned away
<br /> seeking these coupons, and that total was over 200 people. This shows the willingness of people to be
<br /> responsible pet owners, and too, to stop unwanted animal births. Our island people need their animals
<br /> because we aze mostly ruraUagriculture/country. Our animals are our pets/companion and also perform a
<br /> duo role as utility: dogs for security, and cats for keeping the rat offspring population down. Rats here aze
<br /> extremely aggressive and destructive. Consistent poisoning use to control the rats should be discourage,
<br /> since they readily build up immunity and our birds of prey after consuming these rats fall sick or die. .
<br /> We have been circulating an island wide PETITION with the help of animal rescue groups and others,
<br /> requesting from County Council to establish an effective and affordable and or no cost spay and neuter for
<br /> dogs and cats. And the people have responded, with over 5,000 signatures, and we haven't stopped
<br /> collecting.
<br /> People have shared their stories with us, a frequent comment is, that they want to be responsible and get
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<br /> their animals sterilized but as they say, "no more money". With property tax hikes, gas spikes, food,
<br /> medical, medicine, high cost of living and low paying jobs, there just isn't much left to go around.
<br /> Increasing the spay and neuter budget is necessary, as the previous allotment of $45,000 is not enough.
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<br /> That number should be at {east $100,000, if not more. The answer to control animal overpopulation is to
<br /> make available unlimited discounted coupons, and also to offer free animal sterilization to the low income,
<br /> particularly those on assistance. Again, people need their animals because of our island terrains, and should
<br /> not be denied obtaining these Spay/Neuter coupons for their animal champion duel utility pet.
<br /> Mahatma Gandhi stated it best: "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by how
<br /> its animals are treated. " Therefore, as a caring people, we need positive humane methods in aniriral control,
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<br /> by making available low cost or no cost spay & neuter, and stop the mindless kill-kill mentality.
<br /> Respectfully yours,
<br /> Frances Pueo ,P.O. Box 943, Mt. V iew, Hi 96771 (808) 968-8279
<br /> Mary Van Hove, HC 1 Box SOIO, Keaau, Hi 96748,(808) 966-9852
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<br /> Note: Included with this letter is a cony of a petition regnestine the same - naves 269, of 5.228 ~ -
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<br /> sianatures.
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<br /> These signatures were circulated and obtained through one to one contact with people at stores, shopping FS .u
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<br /> malls, garage sales, farmers markets, feed stores, and by various animal organizations as AdvoCats, Arch,
<br /> .ti
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<br /> and concerned individuals like, Mary, Patsy, Sandi, Lani, Judy, Stefanie, Susan, the list is endless with so t! ~ ~
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<br /> many to thank.
<br /> (Note: Attached petition containing 5,228 signatures is on file in the Clerk's Office.)
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