Your Views for October 28

HIHS responds

The Hawaii Island Humane Society would like to respond to questions, misinformation and issues recently raised regarding our Keaau shelter (“Animal ‘death camps,’” Tribune-Herald, Oct. 27).

Our mission is to prevent cruelty to animals, eliminate pet overpopulation and enhance the bond between humans and animals.

The letter mentioned 10,000 dogs were euthanized at one shelter. Allow us to correct that information.

For the 12 months ending June 30, 2015 (our fiscal year), the total number of dogs euthanized at all three HIHS shelters combined was 3,189. Of these, 2,185 had some sort of condition that would have required additional medical or behavioral treatment prior to adoption; 250 were euthanized at the request of the owner; 620 were “non-rehabilitatable,” and 134 were ready for adoption but were unable to find homes in our community.

During that same 12-month period, 1,968 dogs were successfully adopted into new homes, and another 1,059 were reunited with their owners.

HIHS offers special values throughout the year to encourage people to adopt. HIHS adoptions are a great value and always include spay neuter service, microchip, first set of vaccinations and health screening.

There only is one reason adoptable dogs are euthanized, and that is a permanent home could not be found. There is no monetary incentive to euthanize any animal.

In East Hawaii, HIHS partnered with Aloha Ilio Rescue to expand our capacity for positive outcomes. Understanding our island has exceeded its adoption capabilities, HIHS works short- and long-term to further reduce the need for euthanasia: (1) HIHS is transporting dogs for mainland adoption, and (2) HIHS offers free and low-cost access to spay/neuter services.

The more unwanted litters we can prevent with spay and neuter, the more likely we will be successful at fixing the problem of animal overpopulation.

Donna Whitaker

Executive director,

Hawaii Island Humane Society