Save 1,000's of innocent Hawai'i Island companion animals from Animal Control failures!

• ALL ANIMALS DESERVE A LIFE FREE FROM CRUELTY AND SUFFERING.
• ROUTINE MASS KILLINGS OF STRAY ANIMALS ARE PROVEN NON-EFFECTIVE IN POPULATION CONTROL.  IT IS ALSO INHUMANE.
• OUR TAX DOLLARS MUST NOT CONTINUE TO FUND POOR MANAGEMENT AND LIMITED SERVICES OF ANIMAL CONTROL FUNCTIONS.

July 1, 2023 - Since starting this Petition nearly a year ago, Hawai’i County has decided to transition Animal Control services from the Police Department to a new, dedicated Agency – the Animal Control and Protection Agency - operating under the Mayor’s Office.  This transition is effective July 1, 2023. Some of the County contacts listed at the end of the Petition have changed due to this transition. 

While this dedicated Agency has both the potential and budget to provide effective Animal Control services, many of the organization’s positions remain unfilled and this Petition’s demands unresolved as of the transition date.  Therefore, this Petition and its demands remain active as the Animal Control and Protection Agency takes over responsibility for Hawai’i County’s Animal Control services.   

We will continue to post updates to the Petition, as deemed important.  To see previous updates, please scroll down to the end of the Petition.  Mahalo for your support!

~Hawai’i Island Pets Alive ~

[PLEASE NOTE: After signing this Petition, you will arrive at a screen that will ask if you can chip in to “get this Petition on the agenda”.  All contributions go directly to Change.org to help promote this Petition on their site; it does NOT go to our group, Hawai’i Island Pets Alive.  We are not affiliated with Change.org; we are utilizing this platform to raise awareness for the cause.  If you’d like to help us more, please share the Petition within your network and contact the decision-makers and influencers mentioned within the Petition.  Mahalo!]

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DEMAND:  

We’re demanding humane treatment of animals, immediate TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY and EFFECTIVENESS from Hawai’i County Animal Control (HPD AC).  Your signature will give the County, including the County Council Members and Mayor Roth, notice that we demand a complete solution to Hawai’i Island’s Animal Control problems.

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PROBLEM:

In July 2021, the Hawaii County Police Department took over duties for Animal Control (HPD AC) – duties of which they had limited-to-no direct operating experience.  Before then, private contractors – Hawai’i Island Humane Society (HIHS) and Hawai’i Rainbow Rangers (HRR) – held that responsibility for over 35 years*. 

HPD AC’s budget for AC services has increased to $3.4M for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023.  This is 56% higher than HIHS’s, and 142% higher than HRR’s budget, giving HPD AC adequate funding to provide full services.  

Despite a much higher budget, HPD AC is providing only a fraction of services provided by prior contractors with unsatisfactory results. This lack of critical services has resulted in many adverse problems, including closed-to-the-public shelters, out-of-control overpopulation issues, mismanagement of 1,000’s of lost and abandoned pets, killing due to overcrowded shelters, and inaccurate/incomplete accounting of shelter operations. The animal welfare and rescue organizations are overwhelmed with the many animals they are trying to save. 

The residents of Hawai’i Island are frustrated, exhausted, disappointed and fed up!  As the ones funding HPD AC’s budget, the residents have earned and demand AC services that support, rather than undermine, their principles.  More importantly, the animals are paying for it . . . with their lives.

*Hawai’i Island Humane Society (HIHS) – 35+-year Animal Control contractor; Hawai’i Rainbow Rangers (HRR) – 1-year Animal Control contractor, ending 6/30/21.

THEREFORE, WE DEMAND THESE ACTIONS FROM HAWAI’I COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL:

Transparency:

• Open the animal shelters to the Public
• Provide comprehensive and accurate Shelter Activity Reports (intakes, outcomes, service calls) (1)
• Disclose detailed Budget and Expense data

Accountability:

• Provide full-service operations as mandated in HRR Contract (County Proposal #3950, 2020) (1)
• Maintain a Registry of animal abuse cases and coordinate with Federal and National systems
• Implement crucial recommendations from the National Animal Care & Control Association’s “Independent Evaluation of the Animal Control Program of the County of Hawai’i” (2001) (1):
• Oversight Committee to review and oversee AC practices and procedures
• Ordinance update to eliminate ambiguity, incorporate animal “care” and strengthen enforcement
• Separation of Field (Law Enforcement) and Shelter Operations functions

Effectiveness:

• Reinstate intakes at animal shelters
• Implement preventative protocols to reduce intakes and increase safety for humans & animals
• Prioritize return-to-owner procedures & support for lost/found pets
• Employ lifesaving programs and collaborative opportunities (spay/neuter, adoptions, transfers, TNR, fostering, and surrender counseling)
• Humanely manage overpopulation (Hawai’i County has one of the highest kill & intake rates in the U.S.)
• Engage and educate the Community
• Stop the killing due to lack of space

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SOLUTION:

Effective Animal Care and Control Agencies across the U.S. have expanded their role, creating a blend of enforcement and community service.  Unfortunately, HPD AC’s lack of transparency, accountability and effectiveness have perpetuated an environment of community distrust.  Without community involvement, trust and support, HPD AC cannot succeed. 

We can bridge the gap by working together to solve a long-term, multi-faceted problem . . . 

. . . it starts at the top.  Leadership – HPD AC, County Council, Mayor Roth - must be supportive and committed to consistent law enforcement, implementation of effective procedures, lifesaving programs and policies.  The taxpaying community is providing adequate funding; HOWEVER, throwing money at a problem won’t solve it without dedicated leadership, community participation and collaboration.

“As the operation of the animal shelter and care of the animals is the people’s business, is paid for by the people, must be accountable to the people, and should reflect the people’s values, the contractor shall be committed to transparency, public access, legal compliance, humane policies, progressive practices, and maximizing lifesaving. Taxpayers and community members have a right to have their government-spent tax money on programs and services whose purpose is to save and enhance the lives of all animals. Taxpayers and community members have a right to full and complete disclosure about how their animal shelter operates.”  
“Contracting for No Kill”, No Kill Advocacy Center~

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HOW YOU CAN HELP:

First, PLEASE sign this online Petition demanding humane treatment of animals, immediate TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY and EFFECTIVENESS from HPD AC!

Then, contact those listed below, telling them that you’re no longer going to accept the current status quo from HPD AC. We've made it convenient for you to contact these decision-makers and influencers of our Petition Demands.  Under the Files section of our FaceBook page, you'll find a document titled "Sample Letter for County Contacts".  Feel free to use this as a launch pad (courtesy of one of our supporters who has already taken this step!):

o   Mayor Mitch Roth 
Email: MitchD.Roth@hawaiicounty.gov
Phone: 808.961.8211

o   Managing Director, Deanna Sako
Email:  Deanna.Sako@hawaiicounty.gov
Phone:  808.961.8234

o   Administrator - Animal Control and Protection Agency, Matthew Runnells
Email: Matthew.Runnells@hawaiicounty.gov
Phone:  808.327.3558

o   County Council Members:

• To contact ALL Council Members:
  counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov
• Heather Kimball - District #1
  heather.kimball@hawaiicounty.gov 
  [North Hilo and above, including Wainaku, Pepe‘ekeo, Honomū, Ninole, Papa‘aloa, Laupāhoehoe, Pa‘auilo, Honoka‘a]
• Jennifer Kagiwada - District #2
  jennifer.kagiwada@hawaiicounty.gov
  [Portion of South Hilo, including Hilo, Bayfront, University Heights, Waiānuenue]
• Sue Lee-Loy - District #3
   sue.leeloy@hawaiicounty.gov
  [Portion of S. Hilo & Keaau including, Banyan Drive, Hilo Industrial Area, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Pana‘ewa, Kea‘au Shopping Area, Kea‘au High School]
• Ashley Kierkiewicz - District #4
  ashley.kierkiewicz@hawaiicounty.gov
  [Lower Puna]
• Matt Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder - District #5
  matt.kanealii-kleinfelder@hawaiicounty.gov
  [Upper Puna]
• Michelle Galimba - District #6
  michelle.galimba@hawaiicounty.gov
  [Portion of North Kona, South Kona, Kā‘u, and the Greater Volcano Area]
• Rebecca Villegas - District #7
  rebecca.villegas@hawaiicounty.gov
  [Portion of South Kona, Central Kona, and Portion of North Kona]
• Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba - District #8
  holeka.inaba@hawaiicounty.gov
  [North Kona, Kailua View Estates, Malulani Gardens, Hualālai Farms, Keōpū Mauka, Kona Heights, Kealakehe, Pu‘uanahulu, Waikōloa Beach]
• Cindy Evans - Distict #9
  cynthia.evans@hawaiicounty.gov
  [North and South Kohala]

MAHALO for your support!
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(1) You can view this report under the “Files” section of our FaceBook page.

PETITIONER CONTACT:  
Hawai’i Island Pets Alive
Please visit our FaceBook page or email us at lauren@HawaiiIslandPetsAlive.com.