Support the Kauai Humane Society.
That is our request. Do it for the dogs, do it for the cats. Do it for the unwanted animals that end up homeless and thus, end up at KHS. Do it for Scott Pisani, the new executive director who certainly has challenges ahead. Do it for the KHS staff who gives so much. Do it for the volunteers who walk the dogs that wait in kennels hoping to be adopted.
Yes, there has been controversy in the past at KHS. Disputes over statistics of intakes and adoptions. Disagreements over euthanasia. Employees terminated that led to protests. Dismay about what some say was a lack of cooperation between KHS and other community animal care groups.
Pisani will deal with each of these concerns. He will try his best to resolve differences and move forward in a positive light that unites people around KHS. We believe he is up to the task.
We believe former executive director Penny Cistaro did her best with a difficult situation. She made decisions, naturally, not everyone liked or agreed with, but they were decisions based on a 40-year career in animal welfare. The statistics during her tenure reflect a decline in dogs and cats being euthanized, an increase in the live release rate, and fewer animals being taken in a KHS. Those are positives.
Perhaps she did not work as well as she could have with other animal welfare groups. Perhaps she was strong-willed and offered directives that were not well received by some employees and community members, but most would agree KHS was in better condition when she left then when she arrived.
But we’re not here to debate, in length, the pros and cons of the former director. What we are here to do is encourage the community to support Pisani and KHS and to be responsible pet owners themselves.
Spay and neuter your dogs and cats, especially if you don’t have a plan for their offspring. Ensure they have access to clean water, shelter and aren’t stuck in a cage for most of the day. Find animal-savvy owners for your pet if you can’t have it in your life anymore — don’t just drop it on the side of the road.
And if you’re able, adopt a dog, adopt a cat. Become a volunteer and walk dogs. Become a foster home for these dogs and cats. Donate to help fund the transfer of pets to the mainland, where they will find a forever home. It’s easy to criticize, post angry rants online and belittle KHS. We hope everyone opts for the higher road, one that will result in so many loving pets receiving homes on Kauai.
We welcome Scott Pisani. We like what he has to say and we like what he has done so far. We believe he can take KHS to the next level. Let’s give him every opportunity to succeed.
