HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0283.264 2024-2026From: blue moon
Sent: Monday, July 7, 2025 9:53 AM
To: Council Testimony, Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov
C
Subject: Opposition of Bill 51
ram—
I'm writing today to oppose Bill 51, relating to animals, introduced by my district representative, Oft
Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder. My name is Paisley Veilleux.
- ='
I oppose amending Chapter 4, Article 3 of the Hawaii County Code relating to animals because
prohibiting the feeding of community cats will make it MORE difficult to control and reduce the
population of cats. They will be harder to monitor and neuter, causing more to reproduce and migrate
to
areas that are even more detrimental to residents and wildlife alike in search of food. It will also make
it
difficult to monitor colony populations.
Neuter programs need funding, which the county does not provide. Fining feeders from county -
recognized programs $500 for their job will only lead to fewer cats being neutered, and the population
rising, as many of these volunteers spend their own money out of pocket to neuter community cats.
Focus criminal penalties on people abusing and dumping animals, rather than on volunteers trying to
mitigate their impact.
If this bill moves forward, it MUST be amended to state clearly:
Approved caretakers participating in county -recognized programs will NOT be in violation of the law, and
an Efficient County -led and funded neuter program must be established.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
ReF. Dave JUL - ti 2025