Despite residents’ overwhelming opposition, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is determined to move forward with its plan to amend the Hawaii Administrative Rules and grant itself the ability to “destroy” catsowned and unownedby “any means deemed necessary.”
On September 8, the DLNR Board is meeting to vote on the proposed amendments. The amendments would grant the DLNR the right to kill all cats in its 44 small ports and boat ramp properties.
If the vote goes through, the deadly amendments will be sent to Governor David Ige for his signature. The most harmful changes would include:
- Allowing cats that live in ports and harbors to be “destroyed by any means deemed necessary by the department.”
- Establishing a feeding ban for all animals, including community cats. Time and again the residents of Hawaii have rejected such bans because they are unforgivably cruel.
- Redefining the term “abandonment” in a way designed to prohibit the practice of Trap-Neuter-Return.
Alley Cat Allies rallied Hawaii residents earlier this year to speak out against these amendments. The response was strong and clear: Hawaii’s residents do not support measures that harm their cats. Similar proposals to remove Hawaii’s community cats have long been met with powerful opposition, yet the government continues to move forward with them.
Hawaii’s government agencies should be listening to and respecting their constituents, not ignoring their concerns and values. Alley Cat Allies will continue to stand by the state’s residents, amplify their voices, and fight proposals like this one to protect cats’ lives.
If you are a resident of Hawaii, you can speak out against the DLNR’s proposal by submitting written testimony or attending their September 8 meeting in person to offer oral testimony.