HGVC Waikoloa Email to Member – Fact or Fiction?

We first want to address the email from Phil Murray that was posted by a supporter a few days ago. We reported about this in our update on March 31st because a few weeks prior, HGVC management informed owners they were in the beginning stages of setting up a TNRM program with local rescues indicating they wanted to reach a positive resolution between local management and the rescue groups. We said that our hope had diminished because after 4 weeks no real progress had been made. It is now 25 days later and they are still talking about their intent with no TNR programs in place. There are only 3 or 4 rescues on the Island that do TNR so we ask “what is taking so long?” Also, we’d like to add some perspective to Phil’s email about having 1 feeding station at the Bay Club and 1 feeding station at the Kohala Suites and that they are working on getting 1 feeding station at Kings Land. The Kings’ Land property spans approximately 30 acres, with the Bay Club and Kohala properties each being around half this acreage. This means that only a few cats are being fed and because cats do not easily or quickly move on to search for new food sources, they will remain at the guest rooms and restaurants. We think that if Management truly wants this program to succeed, they would have immediately started a TNR program at each property and there would be the appropriate number of feeding stations throughout each property to draw the cats away from guest areas. Hilton Waikoloa Village Hotel A few days ago, we were advised by one of our supporters on the Island that cats are no longer being seen in the parking lot of the Hilton Waikoloa Village Hotel. We know that the trapping at the Hotel was not being done by any of the local rescues or the local Humane Society. The Humane Society will not take TNR cats, which before the Hotel ceased their TNR program, were the majority of the cats on this property. TNR cats are easily identifiable because their left/right ear is tipped by the rescues. Our only conclusion can be is that a pest control company was hired to exterminate the cats. As a rule, pest control companies do not uthanize the animals they trap. Our fear is this has also been happening at the HGVC properties to reduce the cat population. It is Kitten Season We are very concerned because the Hotel and the HGVC properties have not allowed the rescues to do TNR on their properties, the Hotel and Bay Club in the last few years and Kings’ Land and Kohala Suites never. This means that litters of kittens have or will soon be born on these properties thereby substantially increasing the numbers in the cat communities. A well-managed TNRM program removes the kittens and if they can be socialized, places them for adoption. Otherwise they are sterilized and returned to their community. What We Are Doing Last week a group of owners and petition supporters met via conference call to discuss ways to increase the public’s awareness of our petition and what is happening at Hilton Waikoloa properties. We are taking several actions including creating a Facebook page, reaching out to local media and local officials. We are also very excited as a national advocacy organization is partnering with us and is creating a social media campaign directed to their membership. What You Can Do Many thanks to all who have supported this petition and the efforts of those who have made calls or emailed on behalf of our endeavor. Please continue to share this petition because public opinion IS the only way to stop this travesty against these helpless cats. And please KEEP CALLING to speak up for the cats and encourage Management to follow through with their plan to bring TNRM to their properties. At the local level Phil Murray of Hilton Grand Vacations and Simon Amos and Tim Owens from the Hotel have the power to make a positive change for the cats and their pet loving patrons. HGVC Corporate 407-722-3100, Hilton Hotel Corporate (972) 770-6099 Call local management to let them know you want them to follow through and take immediate action to implement TNRM programs on their properties The Bay Club 808-886-7979, Kohala Suites 808-886-8700, Kingsland 808-881-3000 Hilton Waikoloa Village Hotel 808-886-1234