Cats proceed to prowl the Queens’ Marketplace regardless of efforts by advocacy teams to rehome 98 feral felines final 12 months.
In May, volunteers with native rescue businesses Aloha Animal Oasis, or AAO, and Hawaii Animal Kuleana Alliance, or HAKA, teamed as much as seize and rehome cats from the Waikoloa mall.
After being captured, the cats had been spayed and neutered, vaccinated and microchipped earlier than being delivered to their new houses throughout Hawaii Island.
The relocation venture was created in response to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ prohibition of cat feedings and the removing of feeding stations on the mall as a result of elevated presence of nene, which is a protected species.
Volunteers and an animal rescue group had usually fed the cats across the mall, owned by Alexander &Baldwin, because the cat inhabitants grew over the years.
The DLNR gave animal advocacy and rescue teams time to entice and rehome as many cats as potential earlier than fully stopping feeding and trapping.
“Unfortunately, we ran out of homes to take them to. We knew it would happen, and we still want to (trap, neuter and release) the cats that remain, but unfortunately, we don’t have the traps, money and manpower to do that,” stated Lori Luchette, vp of AAO. “Everything we did at Queens’ cost about $20,000 with all the traps, kennels and other necessities.”
Although the teams had been capable of rehome 98 cats, a number of feral cats nonetheless roam the world and had been unable to be neutered and spayed, finally resulting in the replica of extra cats within the space.
A consultant of Alexander &Baldwin didn’t reply to a request for remark in time for this story.
According to Luchette, the DLNR and the Division of Forestry and Wildlife have been talking with AAO about securing land that would supply a protected haven for these cats and kittens.
“We would cat-proof fence the area, provide food, water and vet care as we work toward the ultimate goal of a cat sanctuary on the Big Island,” Luchette stated. “We talked with DLNR and DOFAW, as well, and they said they are in favor of the cat sanctuary, it’s just a matter of finding land.”
According to DLNR spokesperson Ryan Aguilar, workers are unaware of any recent communications concerning efforts to create a sanctuary on the west facet of Hawaii Island.
While the cat sanctuary is a vital purpose for the safety of each cats and native wildlife, animal rescue teams proceed to press the significance of entice, neuter and launch packages, or TNR, for decreasing the quantity of free-roaming cats.
The Keauhou Shopping Center was as soon as inundated with over 100 feral cats till the nonprofit group AdvoCats spayed and neutered almost all of them. About 30 cats now reside across the space.
“You couldn’t ask for a better situation when it comes to feral cats,” Luchette stated. “I wish people understood the issue of not fixing cats. Cats can have four litters a year, and a 4-month-old kitten can become pregnant.”
Kamehameha Schools owns Keauhou Shopping Center and has allowed the general public to feed cats since there may be nowhere for them to go.
Allowing feedings has given volunteers the chance to seek out newly dumped or misplaced cats within the space, in line with Luchette.
“One of our volunteers was feeding the cats at Keauhou when she found six kittens in the bushes,” Luchette stated. “We do our best, but they really are dumped every day. We are always trying to find more fosters for the kittens and friendly adults we find, because we don’t want them out there either.”
In November, AAO was capable of coordinate spay and neuter surgical procedures for 201 cats in a single weekend. This 12 months, Luchette hopes to host low-cost or free clinics at the least as soon as a month.
“It’s difficult, because we have to coordinate with our vet and her vet techs on Oahu to fly out here for a weekend to service hundreds of cats,” Luchette stated. “Our clinics are a ‘pay-what-you-can’ price, and many people pay it forward, which is amazing.”
The first spay and neuter clinic this 12 months will probably be from 8 a.m. to five p.m. on the Old Airport Pavilion in Kailua-Kona on Sunday, Feb. 11.
AAO has been working since 2020 and hopes to proceed addressing the feral cat inhabitants on the island and to “one day” build a cat sanctuary in West Hawaii.
“We are thrilled that DLNR wants to work with us, because it would be a win for everybody. We’re really hopeful that there are people out there who want to help,” Luchette stated. “Sometimes, I don’t think we’ve done enough in our first year, but when I look back, it seems we have.”
To be taught extra about fostering, adopting, volunteering and donating to AAO, go to hawaiiaao.org.
Email Kelsey Walling at [email protected].
