HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0283.068 2024-2026From: Shelby Fernandez
Sent: Sunday, July 6, 2025 1:19 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Appeal Against the Ban on Feeding Feral Animals on Count Premises
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Dear Members of the Hawaii County Council,
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I am writing to respectfully oppose Hawaii County Bill 51, Chapter 4, Article 3, titled "Feeding
Prohibited."
My concern stems from a heartfelt desire to contribute to a compassionate and effective solution to
the growing feral cat population on our island.
While I have not always identified as a "cat" person, I have come to realize that this issue is
fundamentally a human problem —one that requires human compassion, responsibility, and action.
Many feral cats are the result of individuals who, unable to have their pets due to housing restrictions
or who are moving off -island and cannot take their animals with them, thereby abandoning their cats
to survive on their own. According to data from the Humane Society and local wildlife agencies,
millions of cats are abandoned nationwide annually, and on Hawaii Island alone, feral cats are
estimated to number over 15,000.
Feral cats like any other species faced with these challenges will act according to their instincts —
survival. Punishing them through starvation or neglect is not only inhumane but also ineffective.
Starvation can lead to increased hunting behaviors, which further threaten native species.
Conversely, Trap -Neuter -Return (TNR) programs have been scientifically proven to reduce feral
populations by approximately 30-50% over several years, while improving the health and well-being
of the animals involved. These programs rely on community members voluntarily feeding and caring
for these animals, with the goal of stabilizing and gradually reducing their numbers without cruelty.
Furthermore, studies have shown that communities implementing TNR see a significant decrease in
feral cat populations and related complaints over time, as opposed to efforts focused solely on
removal or culling, which often fail to address the root causes and can lead to increased reproduction
among remaining cats.
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I believe it is our moral duty to treat all creatures with kindness and respect. Who are we to determine
which species lives or dies? We are endowed with the responsibility to care for the earth and its
inhabitants. Our Hawaiian culture sees the value of life in all things; this is what makes the people
of Hawaii different. By banning the feeding of feral animals, cats in particular we risk pushing these
animals further into suffering and chaos, rather than addressing the root causes of overpopulation
with compassion and responsible action.
Many of us invest our own time, resources, and love into managing this issue humanely. We do so
not out of neglect or cruelty, but out of a genuine desire to coexist peacefully with these animals and
protect our -.native ecosystems. Removing the opportunity to feed them undermines these efforts and
disregards the compassion and responsibility that define us as a community.
I humbly ask that you consider the importance of humane treatment and science -based solutions. Let
us choose compassion and effective management over cruelty. Together, we can foster a community
that cares for its animals and preserves the harmony between humans and wildlife.
Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration.
Shelby K. Fernandez
Waikoloa, Hawaii
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