Requesting The Department Of Agriculture To Identify Existing Departmental Lands That Are Unsuitable For Agricultural Use But May Be Utilized As Pet Animal Sanctuaries.
Impact
The resolution aims to address the ecological and public health issues associated with the feral cat population, which is estimated at around two million in Hawaii. Feral cats are known to be responsible for the deaths of billions of birds annually and pose a risk of transmitting parasites, like Toxoplasma gondii, which can affect both wildlife and vulnerable human populations. By establishing pet animal sanctuaries, the resolution proposes to mitigate the feral cat's adverse effects on endangered species and enhance their management through sterilization and adoption initiatives.
Summary
Senate Resolution 139 requests the Department of Agriculture of Hawaii to identify departmental lands that are currently unsuitable for agricultural use, which may be repurposed as pet animal sanctuaries. This resolution is a response to the increasingly critical issue of feral cats in Hawaii, which pose a significant threat to the state's indigenous wildlife, contributing to the extinction of numerous species. The bill highlights the urgent need to assess how existing lands can be utilized to benefit both domestic animals and the fragile ecosystem of Hawaii.
Contention
While the resolution is geared toward protecting endangered species and managing feral populations more effectively, there may be contention regarding the management and operationalization of such sanctuaries. Existing methods, like Trap-Neuter-Return programs, have seen limited success, and concerns may be raised about the humane treatment of these animals and the logistical challenges in implementing a sanctuary system. Moreover, it is critical that any proposed legislation resulting from this resolution balances animal welfare with ecological protection, which could lead to debates among stakeholders.
Same As
Requesting The Department Of Agriculture To Identify Existing Departmental Lands That Are Unsuitable For Agricultural Use But May Be Utilized As Pet Animal Sanctuaries.
Requesting The Department Of Agriculture To Identify Existing Departmental Lands That Are Unsuitable For Agricultural Use But May Be Utilized As Pet Animal Sanctuaries.
Requesting The Department Of Agriculture To Identify Existing Departmental Lands That Are Unsuitable For Agricultural Use But May Be Utilized As Pet Animal Sanctuaries.
Requesting The Department Of Agriculture To Convene A Feral Game Mammal Working Group To Find, Solicit, And Distribute Grants For The Control Of Feral Game Mammals.
Requesting The Department Of Agriculture To Convene A Feral Game Mammal Working Group To Find, Solicit, And Distribute Grants For The Control Of Feral Game Mammals.
Requesting The Department Of Agriculture, Department Of Land And Natural Resources, Department Of Health, And The City And County Of Honolulu, To Create A Working Group To Identify Solutions To Mitigate And Control The Significant Increase In The Population Of Feral Chickens And Roosters Across The Island Of Oahu.
Requesting The Department Of Agriculture, Department Of Land And Natural Resources, Department Of Health, The City And County Of Honolulu, And The County Of Hawaii, To Collaborate To Establish And Implement A Five-year Pilot Program To Mitigate And Control The Significant Increase In The Population Of Feral Chickens, Roosters, And Pigs.
Requesting The Office Of The Auditor To Conduct A Performance Audit Of The Plant Pest Control Branch And Plant Quarantine Branch Within The Plant Industry Division Of The Department Of Agriculture.