HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0054.003 2000-2002
4
Testimony on January 23, 2001 in support of Comm 54 (Res 20-01 AND 21-01)
A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE A PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF THE HAWAII
ISLAND HUMANE SOCIETY
RECEIVED •'1~ .
By Cathenne Kellam, Boazd Member, Hawaii Island Humane Society Dms~ e
- Y
f~1~ ~ D/~~3~P
County Councll7~~
My name is Cathenne Krllam and I Joined the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Island
Humane Society in November of last year I would like to tell you why [Joined the Boazd
I have been involved for several yeazs and will continue to be involved with a vanety of
animal welfaze non-profit organizations, some commonly known as "no kill" or more accurately
"lunited access" shelters So why would I want to work with a organization that euthamzes
arimals°
I felt that I should at least try to support the existrng Humane Society They did not cause
the problem of pet overpopulation and irresponsible owners And that is where the most anunals
in need are I also wanted to be a "bridge" between the traditional and non-traditional type
shelters
As I volunteered I got to know several of the directors and I began to understand the
tremendous challenges they face I began to admire this hand-full of dedicated volunteers, who
unselfishly give not only of their time, but of their own money to fight for the welfaze of Hawazi's
animals Several have been on the board for yeazs, despite all the controversies, public scorn,
misunderstandings, and outside influences that had drawn much needed energy away from the
more important tasks that could benefit Hawazi's azumals
The Hawazi Island Humane Society is where I can make the biggest difference to our
homeless anunals First, in the shelter, by improving their living conditions and increasing their
chances of adoptions Second, through child and adult humane educatron, raising public
awazeness for the need of responsible pet ownership, increasing available spaying and neutennCg
programs, and instituting community outreach programs Comm. No. 5 •
FYIe No. NZ
Ref. To• FC
Ref. na+a JAN 2 3 2001
- The only way we can work towazds any solution is to combine all of our efforts,
government, humane societies, and the commumty -working together We need to focus on
what orates us -the concern for Hawaii's homeless ammals and not let our differences divide us
so bitterly That only causes more suffering for the animals
I would invite any individual or group that says they aze concerned for the homeless
animals to become part of the solution, work with us, we need all of the help we can get
I strongly support Resolution Nos 20 Ol and 21-01 We want to do more than~ust be
"performing capably under the circumstances "