HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0140.044 2000-2002
MAY-13-01 01:19 PM HIHS 8083294618 P.02
FtAWAIt ISLA_N.D_
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Ma l S 2001
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1vlr. William Takaba
l~partmsnt of Finance
2S Aupuni St.
Hilo HI 96720
Dear Mr. 'fakaba:
`Thank you for your inforrraation regarding recent le4ters outlining concerns about the
Waimea Shelter of k°Iawaii Island Hsamans Society. (Letters from Pam Waener, April
2001, Ferol Kolons, March 27.2001, Lenore Ednie, February 18, 2001, etc.)
HIHS is committed to providing excellent service to the ooYnmuttity through tht animal
co>7trol progrann. We are; equally committed to providing sheltered animals with a clt;~7
and c~ria>g trtvironntettt ,st all of our shelters. It is always a tttatter of great concern to is
when we hear negative f~,~dbaek about conditions in any of our shelters, and I have
worked with the sl+elter t~axtagers to have investigate these coanplairtts thoroughly.
In looking into the situation in Waimea, we found that the cleaning of cat litter grid the
proper scrubbing of the water bowls in the receiving kennels in Wairnet has been
inconsistent. Due to stal'~ng and time limitations them have been ot;,casivns whelce tbs.'s
tasks were not perrforme:~i as scheduled The tnatsagetne~tt has addressed this issue witls
the staff and stressed the impogtance of strictly maintaining the cleaning according t®
HIHS policy. Managssnent will cantinas to closely monitor this situaidan t® ensure that
these tasks are peefosin~,+~ in a proper and timely manner. We f®~d that other tasks,
including feedarag and watering flee animals, cleaning tend disinfection of kennels, and ell
other tasks associated vtrith animal control and sheltering have and errs occurring daily
according to proper procedures established by tlse ~fIHS.
The situation at the Wai:~eea Shelter has been a challenge for HII~IS. fife Waimea Shelter
animal intake nuxrsbers axed calls for assistance have drarr+tratically increased, to the point
that they are almost ®qut valent to our Kona Shelter. t}rsfurhanately, unlike the Kona
Shelter with 30 kennels, staffand numerous voluntt~rs, Waianea nnust function wills
Only two staflf`memb&rs and an extrensely inadequate amount of Space.
'fa address this overall problem, the HIHS is currently ixtsplensenting these strategies:
VQlurateer Program i}s 'm h l er:
We advertised and held an Open House in Waimea, inviting the public in to ask
questions, view all aspa.4s ofthe-shelter mad hopefully attract persons interested in
volunteering. As a follaw up, I later conducted s Volunteer orientation an the Wairnsa
74.5225 Queen Kaahumanu Hwy • Kailua-Kona, I'~I 96740 • Tekphonc {808) 329-1 l7S • Fax S?1~ ~ J M
Ktaau {808) 966-5458 • Kamuela (808) 885.4558 Ic No.
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MAY-15-01 01:20 PM HIHS 60H3294610 P. 03
Shelter. ®rte person fu11~~ completed the application process and is now in the process of
being trained by Waimea staff. We are trying to recrWt more giaalifaed ar?d reliable
volunteers, II1HS is anxious (more than anyone else) to nnake this program a success in
Waimea, as we are keenl;~ aware of the huge workload currently being carried by only
two staff and the huge nu.mbcrs of animals which require care.
~ vements:
~'he CIS has been worl~:ing to iaraprove the kennel and cage situation at the Waimea
Shelter. Industr7ous stafl'ers have collected construction materials donated from many '
generous individuals and companies in the Waimea and we have applied for a graa7t
from a national organiza~:ion. We hope to construct amuck-needed addition to the
shelter. 'i°his addition would more than Bauble our kennel space, provide a larger,
brighter area for the sets; and reduce much of the clutter currently in the office area,
improving the overall appearance of the shelter. `This project would also inclrade
~furbishiasg the riving kennels, which seem to be the basis of many of the complaints
We are hopel~all that cons~~action will begin sometime in the surnrraor.
I appreciaBe the opportunity to reply to your questions and concerns. I will tae happy to
further address any issues you may have at any time. Please gove me a call at (gOg) 329-
8002,
Aloha,
`.:7-'~,
Clrayson l Iashida
executive Director
Cc. Al! County Council Members
Mayor Harry Kirs~
I-I~IS hoard Me;~bers
MAY-15-01 01:19 PM HIHS 6083294618 P. 01
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HA'W`AII ISLAtVD
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74-52:15 Qaec:~ Kam~wo~:a Higbnrog
Kall„®-Kona, Haavaii ~
~leae¢: 9-H975• Fax: 329-/~18
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AF=ILIATE MEMBER OF THE AMERICAPi HUMANE ASSOCIATION
74-5225 Queen Kaahumanu Hwy • Kallua-Kona, HI 96740 • Telephone (808)329-1175 • Fax (808) 328-Q616
Keeeu; (808)968,5458 • Kamuela (808) SBS-4558