HILO — It’s turning into a real dogfight.
Critics say the Hawaii Island Humane Society has an unacceptable kill rate, and they want its $1.9 million annual county contract tightened. Supporters say the society is an open admission shelter required to take in all animals, and its euthanasia rate shouldn’t be compared with the so-called “no-kill” shelters that cherry-pick the most adoptable dogs.
About an equal number of testifiers on both sides lined up in heated testimony for more than an hour Tuesday, as the County Council Committee on Public Safety and Mass Transit called for the Humane Society to report on its operations.
The dispute seems to be centered between the humane society and a group called Big Island Dog Rescue. The humane society in July temporarily suspended adoptions by the rescue group until it would sign a memorandum of agreement spelling out legal responsibilities of its operation.
Among the requirements are reports on what happens to the animals that are adopted from the humane society shelter and transferred to other shelters or agencies.
Some humane society supporters said Tuesday they worried that no-kill shelters, especially those sending animals to the mainland, are profiting by selling dogs to unverified destinations, including medical research labs.
“Any individual or organization adopting an animal with the intent to transfer it to another rescue organization must comply with HHIS post-adoption requirements of the partnership agreement,” said Deborah Hillman, a former Big Island Dog Rescue volunteer. “If you are not adopting this animal for the sole purpose of it being your personal family pet, you need to submit verification info that the HIHS post-adoption contract asks for.”
Thirty-two Big Island residents signed similar testimony submitted to the committee.
“We have a responsibility for animals that go out our doors,” said humane society veterinarian Elizabeth Jose. “We care where they end up.”
Tasi Autele, founder of Big Island Dog Rescue, said he sent 75 humane society dogs to mainland shelters in a little more than five months. The humane societies are clamoring for animals and have the potential to reduce to zero the number of adoptable Big Island dogs that are euthanized, he said.
“The Hawaii Island Humane Society is killing animals when they don’t have to,” Autele said.
During the fiscal year that ended June 30, about 70 percent of dogs and 29 percent of cats at the Kona shelter were adopted, according to a report provided to West Hawaii Today. The Waimea shelter adopted out 49 percent of dogs and 16 percent of cats, while the Keaau shelter adopted out 30 percent of dogs and 10 percent of cats.
The shelter took in 13,857 animals during that time and adopted out 2,755.
Humane Society officials, however, stress that their overall statistics include feral cats, chickens, mongoose and other animals in addition to vicious, sick and injured animals. A better measure, they say, is the humane society’s 90 percent adoption rate for adoptable animals.
An aggressive spay and neuter program and more education of pet owners is the best way to keep unwanted animals out of the shelters to begin with, said Executive Director Donna Whitaker. North Kona Councilwoman Karen Eoff suggested the county appropriate more money for those programs.
It was apparent as the hearing dragged on that there are no easy answers.
Puna Councilman Dan Paleka, the committee chairman who asked for the briefing, said the best approach would be for all animal lovers to work together.
“I know this is emotional for many of us,” said Paleka. “It’s about working together to solve this problem.”
Kohala Councilwoman Margaret Wille agreed.
“I do think we’re all in this for the right reasons,” Wille said.
