HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0283.307 2024-2026From:
sheila indamascus
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cli
Sent:
Thursday, July 17, 2025 8:33 PM
To:
Council Testimony
Subject:
Bill 51
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:
Dear Council Members,
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Please vote NO on Bill 51 when it comes before you. This bill will criminalize caretaking of cat colonies.
Yet caring for these cats and fixing them is the best way to reduce the number and control the cat
population on the island.
Many people use their own resources to help the cats and community. A cat can become pregnant 2
weeks after she gives birth. Cats multiply exponentially, but fixing them also reduces the population
exponentially. Fixing the cats will, in the end, result in the elimination of the colony.
Without care the cats will starve and contract diseases. Yet cats will continue to multiply, passing on
their diseases to their offspring. Tourists and Islanders do not want to see large numbers of animals
suffering. This is not the image the island should have.
We need government support of low cost spay and neuter clinics and sanctuaries. Also appreciating the
efforts of colony caretakers and encouraging others to join the effort would go a long way to solving the
problem.
Criminalizing colony caretaking will only make good citizens into criminals. They are unlikely to stop
caring for and fixing the cats because, like most people, they cannot bear to see suffering. Please vote
against Bill 51 when it comes before you because cat colony caretakers work to make the island a better
place. 11
Sincerely,
Sheila Brown
306 Mohouli Street
Hilo HI 96720
Comm,
Ref, To: 1
Ref. Pete 2 3 2025