It’s a contentious issue for animal lovers and those who are concerned the cats are becoming a health and safety issue.
And so far the city’s attempts to manage the population- have fallen short.
It’s being called an island-wide hot spot for feral cats
And the Hawaii Kai park and ride became a hot topic today at the Animal Summit- a meeting that included lawmakers, non profit organizations and stake holders.
"No matter what you do, half the people are going to think you’re doing it wrong," says Ken White, Animal Welfare Expert.
The city has been working with volunteers to try and get control of the colony.
They even installed new signage, letting the public know the cats are being fed.
But so far, their efforts have had the opposite effect becoming an open invitation to those who no longer want to take care of their own cats.
"If anything the abandonment of cats is only increasing. We’ve been told 5 to 10 a week is probably the average," says Stanley Chang, Honolulu City Council.
So the city is looking into.. more signage
"We’re thinking more signage and outlining the penalties for doing so, may be a way to deter abandonment," he explains.
Some have even proposed taking it a step further.
"One situation that was proposed, is having CCTV monitoring of that area."
But this feral colony is just a window into the larger problem on Oahu- where an estimated 300,000 cats roam free.
"There are way more cats than the environment can support. The shelters in this community and rescue groups are typically tapped out," says Dr. Jed Rogers, Humane Society Consultant.
And volunteers who manage the feral cat populations are often paying out of their own pockets.
"If you put together the cost to feed those cats, give them medical care, and ultimately if they have to be euthanized, to euthanize them. Its multiple hundreds of dollars per cat over their lifetime," says Rogers.
This group is hoping that together they can come up with a solution that works for the feral cats and the Hawaii Kai community…
"If you can manage that colony that’s in the public spotlight and achieve a successful outcome, than that can be a model for colonies around the island," says Rogers.
It is against state law to abandon your animal and is considered a petty misdemeanor.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
