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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0561.006 2014-2016PI PSMTC COMM. 5G Murashige, Laura From: Kristina Henricks <kriskanani@yahoo.com> Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2015 1:31 AM To: Council Testimony Subject: Response to 561: Hawaii Island Humane Society - Euthanasia & Adoptability Rates Attachments: The Facts 10-2015.docx Response to 561: Hawaii Island Humane Society - Euthanasia & Adoptability Rates I have been the Veterinarian for the Hawaii Island Humane Society since 2008. I was born and raised in -Hilo (Hilo High School graduate) and now live in Kona. From 2004-2007 1 was a Veterinarian in private practice at Keauhou Veterinary Clinic. I am attaching my written testimony in support of the Hawaii Island Humane Society. Thank you, Kristina Kanani Henricks, PhD, DVM 1 M: N6. (p Ref,. To: S r Ref, Date NOV 17 2015 lir t•` V -- • The Hawaii Island Humane Society has been in existence for over 50 years. • Big Island Dog Rescue appeared in January or February of 2015. • BIDR has no credentials showing experience or expertise regarding Shelter Management. • Over the past 5 decades, HIHS has constantly evolved and improved, stretching the amount of community service they can provide to the limits their budget allows. • HIHS operates under the guidelines of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians. This is the nationally accepted way for shelters to operate. This includes their practices and philosophies in regard to euthanasia. • HIHS strongly promotes continuing education for the managing staff. • The Executive Director and I (the Lead Shelter Veterinarian) have attended Veterinary Conferences (Western Veterinary Conference 2013 and 2014) to stay current on best shelter practices. • At the first attendance in 2013, it was learned that even isolated out here in the Pacific Ocean, HIHS has independently developed SOPs that put them well above average in comparison to other US open -admission shelters. • For example: • HIHS will treat asymptomatic heartworm disease. Many US shelters still have to euthanize dogs with heartworm. • HIHS only adopts out spayed and neutered dogs and cats. Some US shelters still don't have the budget to spay and neuter pets before they are released to adopters. • HIHS tests cats for infectious viruses before making them available for adoption. Not all US shelters have the budget for this. • As the Lead Shelter Veterinarian, I have successfully completed a Certificate in Shelter Medicine (requiring 3 graduate level Veterinary courses in Shelter Medicine). I am currently enrolled in a program to earn a Master of Science in Veterinary Medicine Sciences with a Concentration in Shelter Medicine at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine. • This education and knowledge is applied daily to improve Animal Welfare at HIHS. • The Executive Director and Shelter Managers also regularly attend conferences for Shelter Management and Animal Control. • HIHS closely monitors the recommendations of the ASPCA, Maddie's Fund and HSUS for best Shelter practices via the internet, especially in regard to promoting adoption's. These recommendations are followed as best as possible given budget constraints. • HIHS has the support of licensed and well-respected Veterinarians all over the island. • Local Veterinarians sponsor and donate to HIHS fund-raising events. • Local Veterinarians willingly assist with long-term or involved treatments for Second Chance patients. • The Second Chance Fund has been financing the treatment of injured or ill dogs and cats since 2008. • This Fund expands its reach yearly, and in the last 5 years has been saving 100-200 dogs and cats annually. • Treatments range from a simple course of antibiotics to elaborate orthopedic surgeries. • 100% of treatable dogs and cats which will easily be adopted are assisted with the Second Chance Fund. • A high percentage of treatable dogs and cats which are more difficult to place in forever homes. are assisted with the Second Chance Fund. • The one thing that can impede treatment.of treatable dogs and cats is the availability of a foster to care for the animal during recovery. • David Lyttle of Oregon Humane Society credited Bob Barker and his dedication to Spaying and Neutering for the reduction of euthanasia in Oregon in a recent interview by Sherry Bracken of Lava 105.3. He pointed out that we all know that we can not adopt ourselves out of a pet overpopulation problem. • One of the highest priorities of HIHS is spaying and neutering. • Recently (due to unforeseen fortuitous events) HIHS has had the opportunity to hire a second Veterinarian. This will allow HIHS to offer even more community members spay/neuter surgeries for their pets, further chiseling away at the pet overpopulation problem. • Transporting dogs to the mainland is a short sighted solution to pet overpopulation. It decreases the dogs in the shelter right this moment but has no long term effect on intake. • Over the last few months, HIHS has officially and contractually partnered with 3 Sheltering and Dog Rescue organizations, 2 of which are on the Mainland. • HIHS has already sent 31 dogs to their new Mainland partners. • BIDR has publicly refused to become an HIHS Rescue Partner. • The community supports the development of the new shelter in Kona. Otherwise they would not willingly donate millions of dollars toward this goal. • "No Kill" propaganda suggests that shelters are "regurgitating tired cliches about 'public irresponsibility' or hiding behind the myth of 'too many animals, not enough homes."' • Yet shelters all over the nation continue to be emphatic that there are too many animals and not enough homes. It is accepted that we cannot adopt ourselves out of pet overpopulation. • "No Kill" propaganda would try to convince you there is no pet overpopulation problem. • They cite data representing all potential homes which include a substantial percentage of dog owners who will NEVER adopt from a shelter (will only purchase purebred puppies or get a dog from another source). • Overly ambitious "No Kill" groups have successfully created hoarding situations is some shelters. • Hoarding creates crowding. Crowding creates stress. Stress depresses the immune system. Infectious disease spreads rampantly. Mass quantities of dogs end up euthanized because they are unhealthy (unadoptable). This will not negatively affect the Live Release Rate. • The "No Kill" movement suggests 11 steps to become a "No Kill" community. • Feral Cat TNR, High -Volume Low -Cost Spay/Neuter, Rescue Groups, Foster Care, Comprehensive Adoption Programs, Pet Retention, Medical and Behavior Programs, Public Relations/Community Involvement, Volunteers, Proactive Redemptions, and Compassionate Leadership. • Although expecting an open -admission shelter to become "No Kill" is highly unrealistic, HIHS executes all 11 of these steps to the maximum extent allowed by their budget. • The Shelter Medicine instructors at University of Florida consistently teach that change needs to be incremental. • We are working with live animals and cannot sacrifice animal welfare to improve the statistics. • "Rome was not built in a day." This is a marathon, not a sprint. • HIHS continues to work tirelessly toward more live releases but not to the detriment of the animals we care for. We will not operate beyond our capacity for care. • Rescue organizations should be able to fulfill their missions without bullying others into practices which primarily promote their mission. If an organization's mission is legitimate it should be easy for that organization to generate funds in a positive manner to accomplish their goal. They should not have to resort to making false claims about HIHS to influence the community in an attempt to get what they want. They should also not have to attempt to shift HIHS away from their missions and goals in order to expedite their own. • HIHS prefers to dedicate all of their resources to the health and well-being of animals. • Any distraction of time and energy from the animals only reduces the amount we can help them. • Through working closely with Tasi Autele for over one month, I was convinced his regard for animal welfare falls below the standard I find acceptable. • His procedures were rushed, unorganized and potentially harmful to the dogs while there was no impending urgency. • 1 am not comfortable having my signature, Hawaii State Veterinary License and USDA/APHIS Accreditation (the foundation of my livelihood) associated with Big Island Dog Rescue or Tasi Autele. Sincerely, Kristina Kanani Henricks, PhD, DVM HIHS Veterinarian