HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0301.036 2020-2022 r 4"' l') .t
COUNTY OF HA VIA 1
From: Lucia Kaplan
Sent: Thursday, July 01, 2021 4:58 PM MT JUL LI 9
To: Council Testimony
Cc: Kaplan Mark; Franny Brewer
Subject: County of Hawaii animal Control Services
Aloha Mayor Roth, and County of Hawaii Council Members: Heather Kimball, Aaron Chung, Sue Lee Loy, Ashley
Lehualani Kierkiewicz, Matt Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder, Maile Medeiros Davis, Rebecca Villegas, Holeka Goro Inaba and
Tim Richards,
We originally planned to submit testimony in opposition to the renewal of Rainbow Rangers' contract to provide
county animal control services.
However, we read in West Hawaii Today that the County Council has already decided to not renew their contract.
Mahalo for making that difficult but necessary decision.
In the past, we have written to each of you regarding our concerns about the multitude of feral cat colonies on our
island and the dangers they pose to our native wildlife.
As private citizens of Hawaii County, we are concerned about the nuisance that feral cats cause. They kill wild birds
in our yard, dig up our garden, contaminate the soil with Toxoplasma Gondii infected feces and significantly disturb
our sleep by fighting and yowling all night.
We want to make it clear that we are animal lovers. We have owned many cats and dogs over the years. Each one of
our pets has been cared for and loved. We are responsible pet owners and believe all animals should be treated
humanely. We never wish to have animals unnecessarily euthanized.
We understand the issue of animal control and animal shelters has long been a contentious issue on our Big Island.
Many well-meaning citizens support ever expanding feral cat populations. They claim that these feral cat colonies
will eventually self extinguish because of spay &neuter programs. Unfortunately, we know that is not true. Our
neighborhood feral cat colony has existed for over 20 years and continues to grow in numbers. As the colony grows,
the cats' territory expands. And private citizens, whether they support feral cat colonies or not, are inundated with cats
on their private properties.
In order to maintain control on our private property, we have trapped feral cats and turned them in to the County
Animal Shelter. One disturbing Rainbow Rangers' policy was to return neutered/spayed cats to the EXACT location
where they were trapped. Sometimes the animal would be returned within hours of surrender. Clearly, the feral cats
had more rights than tax-paying Hawaii citizens. We do not support the policy of trap-neuter-release, especially
on our ecologically fragile island.
We believe that those who support feral cat colonies and are abhorred by the thought of feral cats being euthanized,
should step up and find alternative solutions to housing and maintaining these cat populations. Opening cat
sanctuaries, where cats are enclosed, fed, monitored for health and kept safe from becoming road kill, is one excellent
alternative.
We hope the Hawaii County Council will address the serious issues of feral cat populations and their impact on our
environment and wildlife populations. The feral cat problem has long been ignored and it is time for legislation that
restricts and controls feral cat colonies. We would recommend working with the Big Island Invasive Species
Committee, KARES, Best Friends Sanctuary and Hawaii Humane Society to develop appropriate polices regarding
feral cats. 101 . Ng
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Ref.Date it JUL — 6 2021
Now that a new day for animal control is here, we look forward to a well managed and well maintained animal
shelter. One that best serves both the citizens and animals of our beautiful island.
Mahalo for your consideration of our concerns,
Lucia & Mak Kaplan
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
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