Alley Cat Allies Opposes Hawaii Rule Changes
Alley Cat Allies has filed testimony against proposed amendments to Hawaii Administrative Rule Chapter 13-124, arguing that the changes would harm community cats and undermine conservation efforts.
Why the Amendments Are Problematic
The proposed rule would allow the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to impound or destroy domestic animals that are not crated, caged, contained, or leashed, which would include community cats. Alley Cat Allies says lethal control is ineffective, archaic, and cruel, and that destroying one species to save another is morally indefensible, especially when species loss is largely caused by human development. The amendments would also prohibit feeding on DLNR lands, dismantling the organized feeding that supports Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs.
Impact on TNR and Wildlife Law
TNR is described by Alley Cat Allies as the only humane and effective approach to community cat care. Scientific studies show that TNR ends the breeding cycle, stabilizes populations, and reduces behaviors such as yowling, spraying, and fighting. Vaccination as part of TNR protects both cats and the public. The amendments would expand the definition of “take,” “harm,” and “harass” to cover indigenous wildlife in addition to threatened and endangered species, thereby exceeding DLNR’s rule-making authority and conflicting with Hawaii’s animal cruelty statutes.
Key takeaways
- The amendments would permit lethal removal of community cats.
- TNR is presented as the sole humane solution for community cats.
- The rule would prohibit feeding on DLNR lands, undermining TNR.
- The changes exceed DLNR’s statutory authority and conflict with animal cruelty law.
- Alley Cat Allies opposes the amendments, citing ineffective and cruel lethal control.
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Originally reported by Alley Cat Allies. Read the full article.