HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	60
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING state departments and private LAND OWNERS TO SUPPORT EFFECTIVE AND HUMANE REDUCTION OF FREE-ROAMING CAT POPULATIONS USING THE TRAP-NEUTER-RETURN-MANAGE STRATEGY.

 

 

     WHEREAS, free-roaming cats are a diverse population that includes:  owned cats that are allowed outdoors, abandoned and lost pets, and feral cats; and

 

     WHEREAS, there are many locations in Hawaii where free-roaming cats face numerous challenges, especially if they are not spayed or neutered; and

 

     WHEREAS, the trap-neuter-return-manage (TNRM) strategy is a humane and effective long-term strategy to reduce the number of cats at large and improve their quality of life; and

 

     WHEREAS, TNRM programs have been established for years in Hawaii and are run by volunteers using their own time and money often with the help of a variety of nonprofit organizations, saving the government the expense of trying to control free-roaming cats in many areas; and

 

     WHEREAS, TNRM programs have not been pursued in areas where endangered or native species are common in Hawaii and, by controlling the number of cats in urban areas, there are fewer cats roaming into areas where they could cause damage to endangered or native species; and

 

     WHEREAS, free-roaming cats also help control the populations of destructive animals such as rats and mice; and

 

     WHEREAS, effective TNRM programs reduce complaints about free-roaming cats, discourage nuisance feeders, and remove newly abandoned pet cats and kittens for spay/neuter surgery and placement in homes; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii has several successful, well-run TNRM programs in a variety of areas, including state lands, that have shown great progress in lowering the number of cats in colonies and modifying the cats' behaviors; and

 

     WHEREAS, cats are sentient beings, bred to be companion animals and because they are not free-roaming by choice but rather because of decisions made by humans, they deserve our compassion and we should honor our responsibilities to them; and

 

     WHEREAS, banning cat feeding lacks compassion, increases animal nuisance behaviors, and is an ineffective way to reduce the population of free-roaming cats on the landscape; and

 

     WHEREAS, three states and Washington D.C., plus counties in an additional twenty-four states have policies supporting TNRM and at least four hundred thirty local governments incorporate TNRM into their animal control practices; and

 

     WHEREAS, the American Bar Association has urged state, local, territorial, and tribal legislative bodies and governmental agencies to interpret existing laws and policies, or to adopt laws and policies, as applicable, to allow the implementation and administration of TNRM programs within their jurisdictions to promote the effective, efficient, and humane management of free-roaming cats; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2018, the Senate concurring, that state departments with jurisdiction over state lands are urged to support the use of TNRM as an effective and humane way to reduce the population of free-roaming cats; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that private landowners in the State of Hawaii are urged to support the use of TNRM as an effective and humane way to reduce the population of free-roaming cats; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that prohibitions on the use of TNRM be reserved for areas designated as critical wildlife habitats; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to all state departments that manage state lands, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources for distribution to the twenty largest private land owners in Hawaii.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Free-Roaming Cats; Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage (TNRM); DLNR