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Hawai`i County Council
25 Aupuni Street — p--t
Suite 1402/2402 'Y't C,
Hilo, HI 96720 = Sr
Dear Chairwoman Poindexter and Council Members: `0
On behalf of American Bird Conservancy and our members,we are writing to express our organization's
strong opposition to Resolution 704-18,which was recently adopted in the October 17,2018, County
Council meeting. We strongly believe that trapping, sterilizing, and then returning(TNR)feral cats to the
environment is inappropriate and ineffective public policy to address the overpopulation of cats.
We also wish to express strong opposition to using TNR to address environmental quality control
matters in accordance with bill 192.
Although trapping and sterilizing feral cats is an important component of management, the re-release of
these cats to parks,neighborhoods,or county facilities is counterproductive.Not only is this release
inhumane abandonment, scientific studies have overwhelmingly indicated that TNR programs do not
reduce feral cat populations and are opposed by the public in Hawai`i. These programs also fail to
consider impacts on human and wildlife communities that the State and County are required to protect.
For these reasons,TNR is opposed by the following organizations:
' American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians I American Ornithologists' Union
International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council I National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians I
National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association I The Wildlife Society
Feral cats are one of the world's most harmful invasive species and have contributed to the extinction of
63 species worldwide, including 33 species on islands.Feral cats, including those as part of TNR
programs,are listed by the Western Governors Association to be among the top 25 worst terrestrial
invasive species. The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources' Hawaii Invasive Species
Council website also recognizes the serious threat from feral cats, in part because of the risks to native
Hawaiian birds such as endangered Palila,`Alae Ke`oke`o(Hawaiian Coot), Ae`o(Hawaiian Stilt), `Ua`u
(Hawaiian Petrel), and others. Feral cats,sterilized or not, are highly efficient predators that will continue
to kill our precious and unique native birds if they are released back out into Hawai`i Island.
Feral cats also spread parasites and diseases,such as the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis.
Toxoplasmosis is among the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's five neglected parasitic
diseases targeted as a priority for public health. Each cat may spread hundreds of millions of infectious
eggs in its feces,contaminating the environment for years. Infection in humans can result in miscarriages,
blindness,memory loss, or death and has been linked to several neurological disorders. Recent deaths of
Hawaiian monk seals,Nene, and other species suggest widespread cat-caused contamination of land and
water. Maintaining feral cats in colonies concentrates and enhances the spread of this parasite and
threatens the health of Hawai`i's residents and tourists. Indeed,the Department of Health's own report
identified feral cats as a very high risk factor for the spread of toxoplasmosis.
Comm. No. 1040•161
www.abcbirds.org Ref. To: PIMM°
Ref. Date OCT 31 2018
County-sponsored support of TNR also poses serious legal liabilities. The Endangered Species Act(ESA)
protects threatened and endangered species from"take,"including the kind that results from maintained
feral cat colonies. Sanctioning these cat colonies is a significant liability that may result in legal
challenges. For example,the state of New York recently settled a lawsuit for violation of the ESA due to
its support of feral cat colonies in a state park. Such liabilities may also extend to human health. Should
people test positive for toxoplasmosis or cat-scratch disease,the County could be held responsible for its
role in supporting exposure to the vector.
American Bird Conservancy appreciates the concern for cats and managing their populations,but TNR is
not the answer.Rather than supporting the release of cats,these animals need to be trapped and confined.
By doing so,the County would effectively manage cats and simultaneously protect people and native
wildlife.An example of such a strategy already exists on Lanai . Furthermore,the County could choose
to implement the recommendations of the Kaua`i Feral Cat Task Force. American Bird Conservancy
would be more than happy to work with the County to implement successful management plans.
American Bird Conservancy and its members appreciate your attention and ask you to please consider the
impacts of your decision to Hawai`i's people and native wildlife. We respectfully request that you clarify
that Bill 192 does not support re-releasing cats to the environment in the upcoming Nov. 1 meeting of the
Environmental Management Committee and refrain from any future public financing of TNR.
Mahalo for your consideration,
„//4,1
Chris Farmer,Ph.D. Grant Sizemore,M.S. AWB®
Hawai i Program Director
Director of Invasive Species Programs
American Bird Conservancy
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American Bird Conservancy
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Kilauea Field Station 4301 Connecticut Ave,NW
PO Box 44 Suite 451
Hawaii National Park, HI 96718
cfarmer0,abcbirds.org Washington, D.C. 20008
gsizemore(c�abcbirds.org
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www.abcbirds.org