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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0301.033 2020-2022 Jeff Ingham and Kristi Clay COUNTY CLERK COUNTY OF HAWAII RECEIVED,,y� Time 2..41 pt. By C7`f•J Date JUL 0 3 2021 June 30, 2021 Dear Hawaii County Council Members, Mahalo for giving us the opportunity to submit written testimony regarding the Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary. We own two homes in the Happy Homes Subdivision and have been concerned about the sanctuary for years. I will address 3, issues that have been an ongoing problem and 2 new issues since the Rainbow Rangers / Rainbow Friends was awarded the animal control contract. Noise: Prior to the contract award noise was an issue. Our home is approximately 0.5 of a mile away from the shelter. As early as 4:30 am I, often hear the dogs going off and it is getting worse. The dogs bark continually for well over 15 minutes. I typically leave for work about 6:30 am and don't have to listen to it during the day. However, our tenant of 8 years often commented on the incessant barking. As a community we have tried in earnest to communicate our concerns about noise. We first tried calling directly and then finally organized a meeting with the shelter director, MaryRose. They were responsive for a time but since the award of the animal control contract is it disheartening.All we have been able to do is notify the police. When trying to call the shelter, there is rarely anyone who will answer. It has taken a serious toll on our mental health. Traffic: RF uses Momona Road, a narrow private road, as access to the shelter. This is also the legal access for the residents of the Happy Homes subdivision and was paved as a result of residents who worked together to have it done. The traffic is increasing due to new land / homeowners moving in but, the added stress of the vehicles traveling RF is a serious concern. Other than obvious wear and tear, for which RF has not once approached the community to help maintain the paved road, there have been several incidents of speeding, rude interactions and people looking for the sanctuary that are lost. This was happening on a daily basis when they were first awarded the contract. I have walked past the sanctuary on many occasions and have counted as many as 10 vehicles parked in front of RF. Transparency: We are all good neighbors to each other, as it should be. However, RF has never been a good neighbor. When we found out that RF was going to be part of the animal control in Hawaii County we were seriously taken aback and were beyond concerned. You would think that RF would have notified the community but no, we found out by reading an article in the paper. Based on our history with RF and MaryRose, we were all deeply Comm. No. Ref.To: 9 Ref. Date JUL - 6 2f121 worried about our little community and the potential for serious negative impact. When I stopped MaryRose to talk to her about the contract, she assured me and others that it would have absolutely no impact on community and not involve the shelter at all. A straight up lie. MaryRose and her employees /volunteers think that waving when they are using Momona Road constitutes as being a good neighbor.A nice gesture but far from what is needed. We have given up trying to communicate concerns with RF, simply because it never goes anywhere. Had anyone taken the time to talk to the residents who have been dealing with RF and MaryRose all these years, I don't think they would have been awarded such an important contract with such huge responsibility. RF has barley been able to run the sanctuary they have, one walk into the main office which reeks of cat urine is an indicator of what is truly going on. There are many donation collection jars about town, which I don't think have been checked or collected in months, and they have been entrusted to manage over one million dollars, really? I find the awarding of the animal control contract to anything that involves MaryRose to be grossly negligent. Humane Treatment of Animals We are animal lovers and responsible pet owners. We adopted a dog from RR She lived a good long life with us until she lost control of her back legs and bowels.As hard as is was, we did the right thing and had her euthanized. Dogs are prideful animals and her quality of life was gone. I am so glad she was in our care, because I am certain MaryRose would have insisted she continue to live. An animal existing without dignity is cruel. RF is far from the meaning of a "sanctuary". We are in support of saving adoptable animals, we also support the positive action RF has taken toward affordable / no cost spay and neuter clinics. But what is going on now we find seriously wrong. There are too many cats and dogs, they are all pinned up in small areas with waste piling up. By the way, animal waste is another serious issue. If those that are in such support of the shelter actually went up there and took a tour of how the animals are kept they would be appalled. I do not see them making any effort to make any of the dogs more adoptable.As far as I know, it is up to the person looking to adopt a dog or cat to try and find their way up to the shelter and take an animal home. If they have a better system, I am unaware as RF does not find it necessary to share information with the community. Safety The road to access RF is currently unnamed and informally known as 13-Mile Rd. There are no signs and the community is working to officially name this private road but it is a process. RF has made no effort to name the road and furthermore, when asked multiple times to put a signage marking the direction of the sanctuary, RF has refused to cooperate. Where that leaves the community is in a position to have a constant flow of lost motorists. In the event of an emergency it is nearly impossible to give directions and has been a serious problem. After almost on a daily basis, people were driving on to their property looking for the shelter, one of the neighbors actually had to put a sign on their fence pointing motorists in the correct direction. We would be more than happy to discuss any of these issues further. There are many other specific incidents that we would be happy to share. It is our hope that this contract is terminated with RF and RR. The bottom line is they were in no way ready to take on this huge project, are in way over their heads and have a no kill model that is simply not sustainable. Sincerely, (81 hyliarm and 63