HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0937.029 2004-2006
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Mitchell, Megan
From: Murashige, Laura
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2006 3:16 PM
To: Mitchell, Megan
Subject: FW: Opposition to Bill #301
-----Original Message-----
From: Ferol Kolons [mailto:ferolkat@yahoo.coml
Sent: Monday, Juno 19, 2006 2:40 PM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject Opposition to Bill #301
Dear Council Members:
This email is in regard to my opposition of Bill #301. I can't believe such a bill would even come before
the council without first consulting the veterinarians, animals organizations and cat owners that it will
effect.
1 can't believe you would expect people to put collars on their cats. Any veterinary business as well as
any animal welfare organization will tell you that collars and cats do not mix. If you can exempt hunters
from putting collars on their animals when they're hunting because of the danger they present as far as
getting hooked up or even hung, how can you expect any responsible cat owner to put a collar on their
cats when climbing trees and crawling under rocks is something they do instinctively. Some cats will go
to any length to get out of a collar and this can result in serious injury or even death to the cat.
Micro shipping and licensing is always a good idea even if it's not a practical one. Responsible pet
owners already micro chip and license their animals. However, Just because an animal is micro chipped
doesn't guarantee that it will be identified if turned into the humane society. Micro chips move in the
body and sometimes do not show up on a scan. Not to mention that they're very cost prohibitive and
many people cannot afford to do this. More money should be made available to offer free spay-neuter
and micro chipping to anyone who can not afford it. That would be the logical thing to do to help end
some of this animal over population and abuse.
As far as limiting the number of pets any one person can have to 4 is absolutely absurd. People who
have more than 4 animals do so because they want them or because they've rescued abandoned and
abused animals that no one else wanted. I could see where limiting the number would be a good idea
regarding illegal puppy mills but that's about it.
What about all the feral cats that live in the parks, parking lots and hotels- It seems these kind of laws
are meant to hurt them rather than help. They're are humane ways of dealing with the feral cats and
organizations like AdvoCats, West Hawaii Humane Society and Hawaii Island Humane society have
been working to bring about a better life for these animals that have been abandoned.
Is there any community in the United States where these kind of laws have been implemented? Are they
working? I think not. How can you expect the humane society and police department to even go about
enforcing these kind of laws when they can't even begin to enforce some of the more serious laws that
are already on the books? For example, animal cruelty, vicious dogs, leash laws etc.
How will these laws be funded? Will there be a new beaurarcy of collar cotmters? I'm insulted that Bob
Jacobsen would even bring this before the council when there are so many other serious problems that
face this island. I urge you NOT to pass Bill #301. It's a no win situation for all of us people and
organizations that care for the animals. And the biggest loser would be the animals. NO to Bill # 301
Sincerely, ee
Comm. No. AM
KolonS Ref. TO:tW0 0\Oa Ref. Date
6/20/2006