HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0239.067 2024-2026P / Counct l
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COMM. V
From: Dahlia
Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2025 1:42 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony Opposing Resolution 140-25
Dear Council Members,
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.
Sincerely, i�
Sabrina Petrov
CDC--
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Ref. Dave 2 1 2025