LIHU‘E — Most of the dogs received at the island’s only animal shelter later found homes, but the majority of cats collected were euthanized, according to the Kaua‘i Humane Society’s annual report to county officials.
KHS provided financial and statistical summaries in its Sept. 6 report to the administration for the fiscal year ending June 30. The numbers seem to be holding steady when compared to the previous year, when more than 4,400 animals were euthanized.
KHS received 7,092 animals in FY10. More than half of those, 3,564, were cats. KHS was able to reunite 193 cats with their owners and place another 487 in island homes. The remaining 2,779 cats did not make it out alive.
The dogs had a better fate. KHS recovered 2,079 dogs and was able to return 723 to their owners and find homes for 606 more. The rest, 789, were put to death.
The annual report also lists “other” animals. Only one of those animals was returned to its owner, and 53 “others” were adopted out. KHS euthanized 899 “others.”
The spay-and-neuter program serviced 3,259 animals. It was a slight increase from the previous year, when that number was 3,006.
KHS picked up 281 dead animals, one fewer than the previous year.
KHS responded to 563 loose-dog complaints, 147 barking-dog complaints and 104 aggressive-dog complaints.
The organization responded to 52 animal cruelty reports, 386 animal neglect reports and five animal abandonment reports.
KHS issued 110 citations and 3,889 dog licenses during FY10. The previous year it issued 206 citations and 4,110 dogs licenses.
The total revenue for KHS during FY10 was $1.06 million, but the organization ended the year with a $73,063 deficit because it ended up spending over $1.13 million.
Since long-time KHS Executive Director Dr. Rebecca Rhoades’ sudden and still-not-fully-explained departure in September, Orianna Skomoroch has been serving as interim executive director. KHS is still taking applications for the executive director position.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@kauaipubco.com.
