HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0239.066 2024-2026P /coun �
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From: Ryan Perrone
Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2025 7:14 PM t ;
To: Council Testimony oc')
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Subject: Testimony Opposing Resolution 140-25 C__
Dear Council Members,�-
I urge you to oppose Resolution 140-25, which proposes awarding $50,000 in grant funds to AWha,4nimal
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 managingferal cat populations. Continued supportforthis
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.
Sincerely,
Ryan Perrone
Comm. 0 . It
Ref. To: 14- ;:::
Ref. Piste 2U25.