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From: Jo Anne J Winer
Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2025 7:56 PM
To: Council Testimony � C--)
Subject: Testimony to Support for funding Aloha. Animal Alliance grant award for TNRM cCD
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Dear Councilmembers -
As a former Maui County Councilmember and a supporter of TNRM for feral cat colonies I support this programs.`
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We have funded similar programs for years and the difficulty arises when insufficient funding and services are�provided
as well as a robust educational program.
The negative information and blame for diseases and deaths of native wildlife are often blamed on the ferals but this -is
highly inaccurate. I have been a caretaker of a colony for many years and part of a program and we have not seen these
issues arise.
In fact, many of thecats simply ignore the birds and are even frightened off by aggressive chickens. Bird flu and other
diseases carried by feral chickens are a far greater threat. The cats are fed in the evenings and the food is gone by
morning which helps avoid attracting birds.
Please do not be misled by inaccurate data or false information that is being disseminated as it will not resolve the issues
facing native wildlife. Mosquito born illness, polluted run-off, pesticide use and other'environmental factors should be
explored as problems when trying to protect our native species.
The fact that this is such a small amount for a grant of this type may make it more difficult to obtain a definitive positive
outcome but it is certainly better than letting the cats overpopulate the areas near native wildlife. If properly funded and
managed it can work.
Please look at other successful TNRM programs that have been in effect and properly funded.
Jo Anne Johnson Winer
Former Maui County Councilmember
Retired Director of Transportation
808-463-7158
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