HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0283.093 2024-2026Testimony on Bill 51: no feeding ferals and strays on County property
for Policy Committee on Health, Safety, and Well -Being
1 PM Tuesday, July 8, 2025 Hilo chambers
from Cory Harden
Instead of using County resources to stop people from feeding animals, let's put resources into trap -
neuter -release (TNR) programs that include the crucial elements of adoption, community education,
consistent implementation, and appropriate locations.
Letting animals starve to death is cruel. And we should not simply shut down many years of effort by
dedicated volunteers.
For feral and stray cats, people disagree on TNR.
These entities support TNR:
Humane Societies: Los Angeles, San Antonio, Tacoma/ Pierce, Tampa Bay, Utah, etc.
Salt Lake County
UH Hilo Pre -Vet club
These do not:
Big Island Invasive Species Committee
Hawai'i Department of Agriculture
Hawai'i Department of Health
Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources
Hawai'i Department of Transportation
Hawai'i Invasive Species Council
Texas Parks and Wildlife
University of California
University of Florida
University of Hawai'i (but it's done at UH Hilo)
University of Illinois Urbana -Champaign
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However, the crucial element seems to be comprehensive programs.
A systematic literature review was conducted to evaluate if community engagement influences
the effectiveness of control techniques in managing cat populations, excluding culling. The
greatest control occurred with highest community engagement; adoption and education
determined the effectiveness.
Community Engagement and the Effectiveness of Free -Roaming Cat Control Techniques: A
Systematic Review, Feb 2, 2024, hittps://pmc.ncbi.On. nih,goy/articles/PMC108545151
[Lorna] Tsutsumi [co -advisor for the Pre -Vet club and professor of entomology at UH Hilo]
recognizes that TNR is not always the best option for managing feral cats, especially in regards to
conservation areas or bird sanctuaries, and is of the opinion that it works in an urban area where
you have influx, and have students who will always feed the cats.
Those Cat People, Ke Kalahea, fall 20919,
https:Ilhiilo. hiawoi.i. edu/newslkekalahea/thiose-cat-people
Comm.
Ref. To:
Ref. Doie _JUL- 8 2025
I've been told there is a pilot TNR program in Bayfront parks with trained colony managers and
volunteers.
I suggest we put Bill 51 on hold and monitor how the pilot program works.