HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0239.051 2024-2026From:
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Dear Council Members,
Julia Marrack
Monday, May 19, 2025 4:10 PM
Council Testimony
Resolution 140-25
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I urge you to oppose Resolution 140-25, which proposes awarding $50,000 in grant funds to Aloha
Animal Alliance Hawaii for their Trap -Neuter -Return -Manage (TNRM) initiative. Decades of
scientific research —including studies conducted in Hawaii —demonstrate that TNRM is an
ineffective, costly, and environmentally damaging approach to managing feral cat populations.
Continued support for this method threatens endangered native wildlife, endangers public health,
and may expose the County to legal liability.
TNRM fails to reduce cat populations. Population modeling in Hawaii shows that even under ideal
conditions, TNRM takes decades to achieve population reductions —and only if there is no new cat
abandonment. In practice, the ongoing abandonment and immigration of cats into colonies prevents
any meaningful progress. In contrast, direct removal strategies are faster, more cost-effective,
and result in real population declines.
TNRM sustains environmental harm. Feral cats are documented predators of native species, including
endangered birds. Colonies persist near critical habitats, and there are confirmed cases of nene
and seabird deaths due to feral cats. TNRM leaves these colonies intact, allowing predation to
continue unchecked.
In summary, funding TNRM is a poor use of public resources. It does not address the root problem,
and instead perpetuates harm to wildlife and public health. I respectfully urge the Council to
vote no on this resolution and instead fund science -based strategies that result in measurable
reductions in feral cat populations.
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Sincerely, tD r-)
Julie Marrack
Kamuela
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