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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0283.327 2024-2026+r CO.C) From: Jayne Florino c C� Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2025 7:51 PM `-' --f;E To: Council Testimony -<'' C)--�, Subject: Plight of the feral cats a The method by which the feral cats are managed and remediated will be an important part of 2 . Ki= Alamedas legacy as Mayor. I'm sure he doesn't want the indelible fact that the cats were hunted down, starved, poisoned, or tortured and killed to be how his tenure in office is remembered. It will be a stain on Hawaii and particularly, this Island. Tourist don't want to visit and spend their hard-earned vacations in a place that abuses animals of any species. How a society treats it's children, animals, the Aina, and each other, is the yardstick by which they are judged and measured as being civilized or barbaric. Think about that, as it will be in the historic record for the rest of time. There could be partnerships with local businesses and entities that want to set a positive tone for our community and state, to find viable and sustainable solutions to the feral cats issues. This could be a working partnership between the volunteers who are ready and willing to maintain and care for these animals, and community stake -holders. This possibility has never been mentioned or considered. Poison and inhumane killing have been the only solutions brought to the table. Petco, Target, Walmart, Pet boarding and Grooming businesses, and local Veterinarians could be approached for funding, support services, and resources for the volunteers who are ready and willing to help. The funds would be used for food, rental in a space/building or park structure to house and care for the cats that are healthy. Cats that are sick or not thriving, could be humanely euthanized by participating Veterinarians. We cannot kill our way out of this problem. We cannot continue to ignore the criminal actions of the regular dumping of cats in our public spaces. Going after and villanizing those who feed and help maintain a modicum'of balance between human activity in our public spaces and the dumped, discarded cats is targeting the wrong entity. That is the complete opposite to a solution. Villanizing the people who are trying to keep as many cats from starving to death in our city only creates an unnecessary war between citizenry. Lana'i found a way to mitigate this same problem. We can too, but it takes a collaborative effort to bring solutions that can be agreed upon, not a war on cats or the people who feed them. The land that was Uncle Billy's needs a purpose. Dedicated a structure and space for a cat sanctuary and possible adoption center and ask local businesses and the county council to appropriate funds to that end. Volunteers could be recruited to run the facility and oversight could be done by locals willing to dedicate their expertise and services. We have smart, talented, people here on the Hawaii Islands. Reach out to them. 71 COMM Ref. To: � 6 Ref. Dale AUL 2 8 2025 Bring the community together in this is the only way to remediate the current toxic atmosphere and lack of humane solutions that have been suggested.