Published in the Honolulu Civil Beat on June 20, 2018
Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources unnecessarily provoked alarm by claiming that cats “pose a significant health risk to people.” (“3 More Monk Seals Die From Disease Linked To Feral Cats“) Just three months ago, the Hawaii Department of Health testified to the legislature that cats “do not pose a public health threat.”
Feeding bans for cats are not the answer, either, and just encourage cats to search farther for food. The best approach for Hawaii’s community cats is Trap-Neuter-Returnsound public policy that manages the population while reducing euthanasia. It saves taxpayer dollars and is the most humane and effective option.
Becky Robinson, Bethesda, Maryland, president and founder of Alley Cat Allies