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From: Sarah Gheida
Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2025 12:31 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony Opposing Resolution 140-25
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**Testimony in Opposition to Resolution 140-25**
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Dear Council Members,
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I strongly oppose Resolution 140-25, which proposes funding for Aloha Animal Alliance's Trap -Neuter -Return -Manage
(TNRM) program. As someone who has spent years studying and managing the devastating impacts
of feral cats
on
Hawai'i's native wildlife, I know firsthand that TNRM fails to protect our endangered species.
Feral cats are predators of native birds, including the critically endangered nene and 'ua'u and'a'o seabirds. During my
work managing cat predation within seabird colonies, I witnessed how outdoor cats continue to kill wildlife and spread
deadly diseases like toxoplasmosis. TNRM does not solve this problem. Studies show 71% - 94% of cat colonies must be
sterilized to achieve colony decline, which is not feasible in the vast majority of cases due to the required time, effort,
funding, and high success rate of cat trapping required. With additional immigration of cats to these colonies because of
feeding stations and more cat abandonment, colony decline impossible.
Worse, feeding stations attract cats and native birds to the same areas, increasing risks of predation, disease
transmission, and vehicle collisions. At Queen's Marketplace, nene returned to feeding sites even after food was
removed, proving how these programs disrupt natural behaviors.
Instead of funding ineffective TNRM, I urge the Council to invest in science -based solutions: mandatory spay/neuter laws,
strict pet abandonment penalties, and programs that promote keeping cats indoors. Hawai'i cannot afford to prioritize
feral cat colonies over our unique and irreplaceable wildlife.
Please reject Resolution 140-25 and support policies that truly protect our native species. Mahalo for your consideration.
Sarah Gheida
comm. 4MA
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