HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0692.004 2022-2024 P/CRcoc
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COtUT Y OF HAWAII .
Aloha Council Members,
LULL F - 9: 12
Mahalo for considering my testimony regarding Communication 692—update from the Animal Control &
Protection Agency.
I,and hundreds of others, have testified over the past two (2)years regarding the status of Animal Care
&Control in our County. We presented solid data, provided resources,and offered to help the County
make headway and get us into the 21'century. Somewhere along the path,the County's intention of
progress and promises of community collaboration have faltered.
I understand the overwhelming nature of the Agency starting anew and the ineffectual status of the
department it acquired. However, it'appears'that things are not moving forward; or if they are, it is not
being communicated to, nor felt by,the community which the Agency serves.
What I do know:
• Abandoned and stray dogs, puppies, cats& kittens continue to fill social media pages daily.
• Calls for service are not being returned;the community members—many WITHOUT resources to
do so—continue to take on the burden and feel the pain.
• Chapter 4 MANDATES the Agency to handle strays. The Agency cannot just pick and choose
which mandates to service.
• Thousands of animals are suffering and not being accounted for. The Shelter Activity Reports tell
us that approximately 10K animals are STILL being left out there somewhere each year. This—
along with closed shelters (next bullet)—is highly disturbing to both national organizations and
our community.
• Closed shelters conflict with NACA Guidelines. We are not talking days or months, but YEARS of
closed doors. This eliminates the safety net for owner surrenders,the ability to search for lost
pet, adoption potential, and just plain of community service. This is NOT Managed Admissions.
• The shelter facilities need to be fixed NOW!
• Volunteer time-a major asset—is being thrown away. If staffing is an issue,there are ways to
work around it. A few examples of how the Agency could/should be using volunteers:
- Dog walking
- Kennel cleaning
- Adoptions
- Surrender counseling
- Lost/found
- Social media
- Community events
- Education
- Fostering
- Dispatch Comm. 14.. bnn •ti
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Ref. Date E _ 'I
• The indifference from County and the Agency toward managing pet overpopulation is a clear
sign of lack of understanding of how this whole system works. Without preventative measures
and programs,the animals will just keep coming. . . more money will be needed to continue
stumbling, and more animals will lose their lives.
• Hawai'i County is not unique—its size, its terrain, its environment. Let's stop using this as an
ongoing obstacle and excuse.
• The Island's nonprofits are being relied upon too heavily to address the issues,without
comparable support and guidance from the County-particularly considering the Agency is
funded by the community, unlike the nonprofits.
• The Agency's budget is not being utilized effectively; and, unused salaries and wages continue to
be questioned.
• Resistance to working with experts and consultants in the industry is really hurting us. It is
delaying progress, costing more money, and taking more lives.
What I would like to know:
• How can we move our animal welfare status into the 21st century,rather than continue
stumbling in the 20th?
• How can we get through to leadership that Animal Care&Control is NOT a new'animal;'that
we are making this more difficult than it should be by continuing to operate under old
mindsets and policies?
Mahalo,
Lori Johnson
Kukuihaele resident
Co-founder, Hawai'i Island Pets Alive