HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0301.037 2020-2022 From: Etta Karth
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2021 9:38 AM
To: Council Testimony; David, Maile; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Chung, Aaron; Richards, Tim;
Kierkiewicz, Ashley;Villegas, Rebecca; Kimball, Heather; Inaba, Holeka; Ferreira, Paul; Jelsma,
Samuel;Wana, Aimee; Command, Robert H; Lee Loy, Sue
Subject: Animal Control - more constituents and community members love and like animals...
Aloha kakou,
My name is Etta Karth. I have lived on the Big Island for 14 years. I am an animal rescuer,
and have done my utmost to assist with unwanted, neglected and abused animals.
I am a freelance rescuer who works with any organization or person who I'm able to assist in
any way (monetarily, transport, food, medication, pet-sitting, advice, TNR [trap-neuter-
release]).
The magnitude of misinformation and gossip about the agency that took over the Big Island's
Animal Control contract (Hawaii Rainbow Rangers) is absolutely staggering. Regardless of
hearsay, for the 8+ months they were faced with attempting to take over the former,
broken, organizations [Hawaii Island Humane Society, HIHS] responsibilities, they were NOT
given the same, let a lone close to the same, resources needed to take over seamlessly. We
all know they've struggled. Many of us do not understand how/why, but we know they need
our help to succeed.
There are many, many more animal lovers, even likers, on this island - INCLUDING the
increasing visiting tourists. This is a critical moment. What will leadership do - allow us to go
back to the dark ages and use our taxes to kill countless animals for the next 2 decades? Or -
will leadership listen to the experts in this field and work with them to come to a more
compassionate and affordable conclusion, aiming to CONTROL rather than participate in long-
term damage control and force the community to pay for it.
Choose aloha. -�
Etta Karth
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Etta Karth ,:; __
Lab Coordinator/Educational Specialist
University of Hawaii at Hilo
Marine Science Department, MSB 119
200 W. Kawili Street
Hilo, HI 96720 �n
(808) 932-7602 o ✓v_ •__�
Comm. NA.tvzvsu_____
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