The Big Island’s stray and feral cat population has reached a “critical stage” because the COVID-19 pandemic and animal control problems have reduced spay and neuter opportunities and limited the intake of felines.
Hui Pono Holoholona is a nonprofit organization and cat sanctuary dedicated to taking care of cats. While the group typically offers spay and neuter clinics, the pandemic put a halt to those efforts indefinitely.
Since 2020, however, the group has been able to partner with local veterinarians who can provide spay and neuter procedures at an affordable cost.
“The one and only scientifically proven solution to end animal overpopulation is to have no cost, or low cost, spay and neuter available,” said Hui Pono Holoholona founder and president Frannie Pueo. “We always look for other vets that will charge a reasonable cost for the procedures, because our regular vet, Dr. Kris Henricks, does have about a three-week wait.”
When trying to manage colonies of cats, Hui Pono Holoholona practices “trap-neuter-return-manage,” which is when cats are collected, spayed or neutered, and then returned to the wild and revisited later.
With Hawaii County changing animal control providers three times in the past two years, it has become even more important to trap-neuter-return-manage.
From August 2019 to April 2020, the Hawaii Island Humane Society still held the animal control contract with the county. Within those nine months, HIHS took in 6,795 cats and dogs.
When the Hawaii Rainbow Rangers took over the contract from August 2020 to April 2021, they took in 2,115 cats and dogs in those nine months, which is 4,680 less than HIHS.
“We are going through a critical stage right now, with so many of these cats who weren’t serviced having kittens,” Pueo said.
The Hawaii Police Department has been in charge of animal control responsibilities since July 2021, but its ability to respond to calls about animals has been limited.
According to Maj. Aimee Wana, this is due to the lack of available facilities to house animals in East Hawaii.
HPD is requesting $2 million to purchase a facility in Orchid Land Estates that would better serve the needs of the community. Anything left over would be used for necessary improvements to the property or for the animal program.
While the issue of animal control is discussed, Hui Pono plans to continue its work to spay and neuter as many cats as possible.
“The hardest part as an organization is convincing people not to dally on spay and neutering,” Pueo said. “The benefits to get them spayed and neutered eliminate so many issues that we see on the Big Island and would reduce the population.”
Overpopulation of any animal can become damaging to the environment and other animals. Many cats that aren’t being taken care of on the Big Island are starving to death and getting diseases, some of which could be transmittable to other animals.
While there was a failed attempt at passing legislation this year to euthanize feral cats due to their impact to indigenous wildlife, HIHS CEO Lauren Nickerson does not think that is the right solution to the problem.
“I think as a community, most people can agree that euthanasia for healthy animals is not healthy management, but our island is completely overrun,” Nickerson said. “Spay and neuter is the best way to prepare for the future, even a few weeks from now. It’s really our only chance to mitigate the suffering of animals that are born into environments where they aren’t being cared for.”
HIHS currently has 30 puppies for adoption, which is the largest number of puppies they have had in a few years.
“Our island is in crisis with pet overpopulation. Our shelters are completely full, animal control is full, and we have a waitlist of animals ready to come through our doors when we have room,” Nickerson said. “We really need everyone to spay and neuter their animals as soon as possible, because we need to control the population.”
HIHS offers low cost spay and neuter procedures for pets at $25 for cats and $50 for dogs. There are limited time slots, but those interested can call the shelter at 808-966-5458 and learn more on hihs.org.
In the past 12 months, Hui Pono has spayed and neutered 473 cats with help from a $10,000 grant and other donations from the community.
“We’ve been very fortunate that Dr. Kris Henricks opened up her Good Karma Vet Clinic specifically for spay and neuter for dogs and cats,” Pueo said. “She is an expert in utilizing her skills to do the most remarkable spay and neuter procedures that are less invasive. That is a big gain for us and all of those dealing with colonies of cats.”
Pueo and board member Kay Tanaka are willing to help people learn how to trap cat colonies and can loan traps, cat carriers and even help transport the animals to their vet appointments.
Those interested in trapping a cat colony for spaying and neutering, or making an appointment with Henricks, can call (808) 968-8279 for more information.
“If everyone steps forward to be part of the solution to get all animals spayed and neutered, we will win this for the animals,” Pueo said. “As humans, this is our responsibility.”
More information or to donate, visit at hphhawaii.org.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com