Mayor Roth's recent state of the County address highlighted some positive developments with the Hawai'i County Animal Control and Protection Agency (ACPA). However, Roth missed a crucial opportunity for transparency to rally public support for the ongoing animal control issues across Hawai’i Island. 

Yes, the County has set up a reactive enforcement organization tasked with impounding sick, injured, and dangerous companion animals from the streets at a cost that will soon be more than $4M annually (Proposed Operating Budget, FY 2024 - 2025; see page 41 of 105).  This is a start to making our streets safer, I guess.  But today, nearly half of the pets entering their facilities will not leave alive.  

And the ones that do get a chance at a loving home? Adoption services are not included in that $4M+ cost.  It is only thanks to the hard work and dedication of our local nonprofit shelters and rescues raising funds to support their care and adoption that these homeless pets have a chance.

Mayor Roth also missed the opportunity to thank these animal welfare organizations working tirelessly alongside animal control officers and highlight the many citizens who have stepped up to help foster or adopt animals.  This type of collaboration is how we are going to solve the crisis. Additionally, he missed the opportunity for a call to action to the public to microchip and spay and neuter their pets.

Let's stop pretending that we can enforce our way out of this problem.  This is an 80’s approach that has never worked on the mainland, and it is not going to work here.  It's time to acknowledge that solving this crisis will require us to work together on proactive and proven measures. 

The good news is that we don't need to reinvent the wheel.

Let's remind our leaders today what 82,000 of us asked for in our Petition two years ago . . . 

It's An Election Year, and These Are Our Tax Dollars at Work.  Let's Be Clear About What We Want!  

·     Transparency: Open shelters, comprehensive and accurate Shelter Activity Reports, and detailed budget data. The shelters remain closed to the public, and no public plans to reopen have been announced. 

·      Accountability: Full-service operations, an animal abuse registry, and implementing proven lifesaving humane programs that serve people and pets alike. A clear statement defining the new agency's roles and responsibilities and how the agency collaborates with nonprofit partners and the public to solve the animal welfare crisis. 

·     Effectiveness: Implementation of Island-wide animal data tracking and sharing, use of and funding for proactive, proven lifesaving programs, and humane overpopulation management strategies. 

The current plan, as proposed, appears to call for us to spend ~$4.7M annually, mainly on REACTIVE enforcement efforts, with an additional $25M for capital building improvements (Capital Budget, FY 2024 - 2025; Animal Control portion starts on page 11 of 160). This cannot be an enforcement effort alone. 

Here's how you can help:

Contact the Decision-Makers & your County Officials to express your thoughts. Near the end of our Petition, we list the pertinent decision-makers and their contact information.

For further context, Mayor Roth's recent address mentioned the County's new Animal Control Agency's achievements, including the hiring of staff and removal of over 1,900 animals from the streets.  However, discrepancies arise upon closer examination of the Shelter Activity Reports.  The reported intake and euthanasia figures do not align with the numbers presented by Mayor Roth, raising concerns about data accuracy and transparency.  Decision-makers must address these discrepancies and clarify the agency's operations moving forward.

Thank you for your continued support and advocacy for humane and effective animal control policies in Hawai’i County.

"Roth offers State of the County: first term mayor touts accomplishments"