The Kauai Humane Society’s current policies on stray animals and feral cats were inaccurately characterized in Susan Straight’s letter to TGI published on 10/1. To be clear, KHS accepts ALL stray dogs without fee. KHS accepts ALL friendly stray cats and kittens without fee.
The $90 fee refer enced in Ms. Straight’s letter applies only to unlicensed feral cats that are brought to our shelter for the sole purpose of euthanasia. Unlicensed feral cats make up only 30% of the cats that come into our shelter, and 70% of the cats that are brought to us can be surrendered free of charge.
The cost of holding and then euthanizing a feral cat is approximately $150. The funding we receive from the county does not cover the cost in full. In order to continue our humane services for the community on a nonprofit basis, we unfortunately have to charge for some of the services we offer.
Ms. Straight claims that the $90 fee takes away a “safe” place to bring unwanted cats. However, unlicensed feral cats are not safe when they are brought to KHS for the sole purpose of euthanasia.
This small subset of cats — unlicensed feral cats — do not belong to anyone, cannot be handled safely in a home or shelter setting, and are unadoptable. The only outcome that KHS can legally provide for them is euthanasia.
By contrast, all other cats and kittens can be brought to us free of charge, and most of these find safe homes through adoption, transfer, or by being returned to their owners.
Ms. Straight is correct that the Kauai Humane Society wants to slow the spread of feral cats. Euthanasia, however, is not a humane or effective way to accomplish this.
As Mayor Kawakami recognized in his proclamation supporting the work of our friends at Animal Balance, the process of trap-neuter-release is the most humane way of controlling free-roaming unlicensed, feral cats.
KHS would welcome the opportunity to trap-neuter-release, but as the Animal Control Provider on Kauai, the County Code specifically prohibits KHS from engaging in this process.
The Kauai Humane Society’s mission is to foster “respect, responsibility and compassion for all animals and enriching lives by nurturing healthy relationships between pets and people.” We do not believe that cat euthanasia is either the most humane nor the most effective solution to our feral cat population problems.
The complexity of this issue is recognized by many of our community leaders, and KHS is committed to working collaboratively with county government to address them in ways that best serve the residents and the animals on Kauai.
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Mirah A. Horowitz is executive director of the Kauai Humane Society.
