HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0022.101 2004-2006 Pagc 1 of 1
Murashige, Laura
From: owlit@netzero.net
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 11:26 PM ~ - i
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony for Animal control, Bill 4, Draft 6
Please make available for the County Council meeting on 15 Feb 2006.
Thank you,
Frances Pueo
P.O. Box 943
Mt. View, Hi 96771
Ceram No. ZZ,
Ref. Tc~~ G1µt
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2/15/2006
To: County Council 14 Feb 2006
Subject: Council 'testimony, Animal Control, Bill 4, Draft 6.
We commend the committee to establish a spay & neuter fund from proceeds of dog license fees,
all impoundment and kennel fees, including any grants and private contributions.
These generated monies although helpful, fall short on what is needed to make available to the
island people, truly affordable or no cost spay & neuter for dogs and cats. In 2005, the HIHS total
adoption was 1,942, with only 952 redemptions from 12,644 received animals, and over 10,000
mostly healthy animals were euthanized. This shows there are not enough homes for all the animals
born, these figures does not include the thousands and thousands of abandon animals that we see too
often at schools, recycle stations, dumps, hotels, parks, shopping malls, subdivisions, and appearing
in residents' backyards. Many of these animals are unable to survive and die from starvation,
disease, abuse, or when struck by cars.
On February ls` (2006), at the Keaau Humane Society, 105 discounted coupons were made
available and sold out on the same day. Between Feb 2 &14, a tally count was kept on how many
people was turned away seeking these coupons, and that total was over 200 people. This shows the
willingness of people to be responsible pet owners, and too, to stop unwanted animal births. Our
island people need their animals because we are mostly rural/agriculture/country. Our animals are
our pets/companion and also perform a duo role as utility: dogs for security, and cats for the major,
major rat overpopulation.
We have been circulating an island wide PETITION with the help of animal rescue groups and
others, requesting from County Council to establish an effective and affordable spay and neuter
program for dogs and cats. And the people have responded, with over 5,000 signatures, and we
haven't stopped collecting. Upon request, conies can be submitted for the record.
People have shared their stories with us, a frequent comment is, that they want to be responsible
and get their animals sterilized but as they say, "no more money". With property tax hikes, gas
spikes, food, medical, medicine, high cost of living and low paying jobs, there just isn't much left to
go around. Presently, there are 2 bills before the 2006 Legislature that will help with the cost of
sterilization: HB 1836 to allow (if passed) out-of- state vacationing Veterinarians under a temporary
permit to perform free spay/neuter at HIHS, and HB 2631 will provide (if passed) a tax deduction to
the individual taxpayer for sterilizing their animal. Although helpful, it still falls short on the
immediate amount needed. Increasing the spay and neuter budget is necessary, as the previous
allotment of $45,000 is not enough. That number should be at least $100,000. 'the answer to
control animal overpopulation is to make available unlimited discounted coupons for animal
sterilization.
Mahatma Gandhi stated it best: "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged
by how its animals are treated." Therefore, as a caring people, we need positive humane methods in
animal control, by making available low cost or no cost spay & neuter, and stop the mindless kill-
kill mentality.
Respectfully yours,
Frances Pueo Mary Van Hove
P.U. Box 943 HCl Box 5010
Mt. View, Hi 96771 Keaau, Hi 96748