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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0283.336 2024-2026From: Sent: To: Subject: Gowron, Leah Sunday, July 20, 2025 4:28 PM Council Testimony Bill 51 opposition Dear Mayor Alameda and the wonderful Councilors for HI County: It was with deep regret that I read about Bill 51, and equally, with great joythat I have witnessed so many community members coming together to share their concern and opposition to this Bill. 0 ZA c White] respect that there are legitimate concerns related to feral cat colonies -fining those that feed and essentially punishing innocent animals by ending such care seems reprehensible. I ask the following questions: Is the County also interested and willingto fine those that systematically dump their `unwanted' animals at known locations (transfer stations, U of HI campus, behind select shops and facilities around the Island)? Perhaps this is a way to increase the coffers of the County, and such fines then could be transferred to funding the animal advocacy organizations? Will the County also support the hiring and development of new veterinarian facilities, so that those in undeserved areas can spay/neuter their animals and thus stop dumping them? Will the County Councilors explain to their families, including their small children, why there are animals now starving because mom/dad/tutu elected to not deal with this problem in a more constructive fashion? When I pass a transfer station, I see cats, even occasionally dogs, that have been dumped. My husband has helped caring transfer station staff that have risked their own health and well-being to go into the dumpsters to pull out kittens, puppies, abused and abandoned hunting dogs. I've never seen nene in such environments. Indeed, the only place I've seen nene in any of the feeding areas are at highly tourist trafficked locations — Queen Liliuokalani Gardens, Kings Shops, etc. The vast majority of the ferals are in other spots, off the beaten path, and certainly not impacting the health of the beloved nene. We know why animals are continually dumped —costs to spay and neuter cats at a vet clinic is prohibitive to most (running between $400-$1000 assuming there are not complications). While two organizations do exist on the Island (PETFIX Spay and Neuter which runs clinics on both East and West sides, and one other that works in Kona) offering free spay and neuter, and several more that offer reduced rates, these modestly funded, Qn --�t _<2- o-< r r-r zc,r— D� and volunteer -staffed groups cannot do it all. 1 qh. �?J Comm. N© 1 Ref. To: [BIU1 Ref. Have I JUU­2 3 2025, We know that the main way to, eventually, reduce the number of feral cats is through a controlled, safe, and managed TNR (Trap -Neuter -Release) program. These `feeders' do more than feed. While they are loving, caring individuals, dipping into their own limited financial means to feeds dozens if not hundreds of cats, they are also monitoring the health of these animals, trapping them as they can and bringing them to such free/low- cost clinics as they are available (and spaces are limited because of the costs associated with running them). They are there when it's raining, in the dark, in the heat, offering the smallest, simplest amount of care —food. They figure out ways to cover vet fees when animals are sick, or even when they need the final caring step of euthanasia if truly ill and dying. As cats are spayed/neutered, and colonies managed, they will live lives as gracefully as they can, with the collective understanding that these cats NEVER asked for such a life. Indeed, as humans, would we want to live in such a fashion--- dependent on the kindness and generosity of a small handful, off eringfood, perhaps a gentle touch, the occasional bit of medication if needed, living in often wet and otherwise harsh conditions? Of course not. Perhaps this is akin to the homeless problem also endemic to the Island? Perhaps the difference is that no one is legislating an end to food and base care for the homeless humans, only the homeless cats. Support TNR. Support these small, yet impactful organizations, working independently and collectively, to spay and neuter (and to those councilors that do support the hard work of the foster groups, the animal advocacy groups and the spay and neuter groups ... I say thank you from the bottom of my heart.) This IS a problem and a challenge. No one is arguing that. But the response shouldn't be to starve cats and fine those trying to offer care and attention to animals that have been DUMPED by their `owners'. The response is to work with the organizations that, together, will feed, trap, neuter/spay, and manage the colonies. Educate people to stop dumping animals ... to instead work with the foster/adoption groups to rehome, to go to the low or no -cost spay and neuter groups to decrease the population. Support the vet programs, bringing more vets to the most rural and underserved areas. Like most problems, this is not one that will be resolved overnight. It's one that takes time. Give those that care, and that truly understand this situation the time and support they need. It's the right choice. The only choice. The caring choice. The choice that I truly hope you will make. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Please .... vote against Bill 51. Do not punish the cats. Do not punish the people caring for them. This is a problem that only together as a community we can and will solve. With appreciation and gratitude, Leah Gowron