HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0283.403 2024-2026From: Ashley Sukanen
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 6:24 AM
To: Council Testimony
�y
Subject: Oppose Bill 51
C;p
Dear Council Members,
-CD,
My name is Ashley Sukanen and I am a resident of Kailua Kona. This l8?te1_ato
speak out in opposition to Bill 51 on the feeding feral cats and other aRimaIs. It
also urges support for policies that embrace Trap -Neuter -Release (TNR)
programs for the community's cat population.
Banning feeding is an outdated and ineffective approach to managing cat
populations. Cats are territorial and won't leave their established territories
simply because their regular food source is removed. A feeding ban will lead to
cats scavenging for food and potentially cause more calls to animal control. Our
resources are already overwhelmed.
TNR is a proven and humane method for managing community cat
populations. Under a TNR program, feral cats are humanely trapped, spayed or
neutered, vaccinated, and returned to their original outdoor homes.
This process offers several benefits:
• Population Control: TNR stops the breeding cycle. It prevents the birth of
more kittens, which gradually reduces the overall population over time.
• Improved Health and Welfare: Cats in TNR programs receive
vaccinations. This can reduce the spread of diseases within the colony
and to other animals.
• Reduced Nuisance Behaviors: Sterilized cats are less likely to engage in
behaviors like yowling, fighting, and spraying. These behaviors are often
associated with mating behaviors, making communities more
harmonious places to live.
Many communities across the country have successfully implemented TNR
programs. These programs have demonstrated long-term effectiveness
compared to traditional methods. Allowing volunteers to continue feeding and
managing colonies is an essential part of the TNR program and population
control. Comm.
Our community should be able to come up with solutions that do not include
the suffering of innocent, abandoned animals. It is requested that the Hawaii
County Council Members and Mayor prioritize the well-being of community
cats. Embrace TNR as a compassionate and effective solution. Consider the
resources and help provided by our local organizations. Out of all the different
solutions that could be implemented, this is what our council members see as
the best option? Bill 51 is not the solution! Please consider TNR and colony
management rather than animal cruelty and Bill 51.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this important issue.
Sincerely,
Ashley Sukanen
Get Outlook for iOS