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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0283.014 2024-2026From: Debbie Anderson Sent: Sunday, July 6, 2025 2:36 AM _o n To: count remotetestimon @hawaiicount . ov Y Y Y 9 ` Cc: Council Testimony --ems Subject: Bill 51 (1 p.m. July 8) . r-; Aloha, .� = =r— I am writing before Noon on Monday, July 7 to request to be allowed to testify via Zoom r© otai a the 1 p.m. Committee meeting on July 8. If this doesn't work, could you at least ensure my written testimony is on record? At what has become Wailoa Park, generations of families have fed ducks as part of teaching our keiki to take care of animals. On County property stray animals have been dumped, and may be starving. Though my co -rescuer has taken photos of the license plates of cat dumpers, nothing has been done about this. One late June dump in our neighborhood included at least 5 females out of 7 kittens. At least 6 of these were spay/neutered, and 1 adopted. My neighborhood animal population will go out of control if Bill 51 passes! Unfortunately, Animal Control focuses on dogs which can bite. Feral cats are not well managed. The most important contribution our county can make is to fund spay neuter efforts, which are now done privately. For example, I have spent thousands of dollars and spay/neutered 63 cats who were dumped in my Wailoa Park neighborhood. My son has used this as his community service project for his public school, as is learning to take care of animals less fortunate than ourselves. A co -rescuer and I use fish nets from Tokunaga store to capture animals during feeding. Our record for one session is 14 cats taken in for spay/neutering. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to catch more than this yet. It takes time for cats to learn to trust feeders enough for us to be able to capture them. In order for us to help to prevent further overpopulation, we need to be able to feed animals as a means to trap and spay/neuter them. EVERY trap is baited with FOOD! If Bill 51 becomes part of County policy, it will completely impede what is necessary for our spay and neuter efforts. Bill 51 is absolutely crazy! Animal cruelty is part of statute already. This bill is CRUEL, and in direct opposition of animal management. It is SHAMEFUL. PLEASE do NOT pass this out of committee! Mahalo for listening to myself and on behalf of other co -rescuers, Debbie and Cormac Anderson 719 Mililani Street Hilo, HI 96720-4329 Comm. o b , I Ref. To: Ref. Date . — 8 902