Feral Cats
Feral Cats
The consequences of our decisions
In the eight-plus years since we’ve moved to the Big Island, we’ve adopted two kittens from the Hawaii Island Humane Society and have been adopted by four strays. Three of the starving strays that presented themselves at our door were already neutered and house- or people-friendly, so we suspect they were abandoned pets.
The fourth was clearly a feral stray that we had neutered. All of the strays and, of course, the kittens were vaccinated and tested for disease and found clear.
Last week, one of our older cats became quite ill. A complete blood workup was done and we were told that he is now feline immunodeficiency virus positive.
We are upset. We did everything that caring pet owners should do – yearly physicals, shots – and yet, because this cat is a fighter and because there is such a large community of infected feral cats, he is now infected.
The groups who work to contain the number of new kittens are fighting an uphill battle, but thank goodness they are fighting it. Our island has too many cats.
But questions should be asked — and I think the community as a whole should participate in the discussions. Is it right to let disease run rampant so healthy cats are at increased risk of becoming infected?
Any analogy with humans falls short. Humans can be educated about their infectious conditions and be instructed on how to limit contamination. They can be held responsible. Cats can’t. Cats do what cats do – they fight to defend territory and food.
Is it right to euthanize large numbers of infected cats? Of course not. Is it right to let diseased animals run free to potentially infect the healthy? Of course not.
But which is the least wrong?
I don’t know, but it is clear we need the discussion. I do know that while I continue to be a caring pet owner, I am a sadder one.
Virginia Maxwell
Kailua-Kona
Relay For Life
A sincere mahalo
We thank all the relay teams who gave time and energy to raise funds and awareness at the recent Relay For Life of Waimea.
Their individual and team efforts at relay go toward providing air transportation for West Hawaii patients needing treatment on Oahu and gas cards for those driving to treatment locally. It funds researchers, who may find a cure for cancer. It helps women feel a little better about themselves as they look in the mirror after hair loss.
They help provide a child battling cancer and enduring months of treatment with a special week of great memories and fun at our Camp Anuenue on Oahu’s North Shore. For example, in the last six months, your American Cancer Society provided 688 free services to help West Hawaii cancer patients.
The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is an event that draws on the strength and amplifies the goodness each community has to offer. We are reminded of that every time we attend a relay — and collectively we’ve attended well over 100 relays in the past five years — be it in Kona, Kohala, Hanapepe, Koolauloa, Wailuku, Hilo, Honolulu or Austin, Texas. Like all these communities, the Relay For Life of Waimea showcased the goodness, the greatness, and the individuality of that community with its theme of “Hope on the Range.”
A volunteer touched us all when he said, “Relay For Life is about one day, one night, one community, one fight.” That was what Relay For Life of Waimea was all about — the Waimea community coming together in support of local cancer survivors and to take up the fight against cancer.
For all of you who participate in one of our relays, thank you for giving of yourselves to support your neighbors who are battling cancer.
Jackie Young
Chief Staff Officer
Erin Moncada
Regional Director
Cathy Hashimoto
Community Manager
American Cancer Society Hawaii Pacific