Who is to blame? ADVERTISING Who is to blame? I am getting so saddened to see the hatred toward the local humane society. Have the people writing these letters ever worked in an open-door shelter? (I have, as well as
Who is to blame?
I am getting so saddened to see the hatred toward the local humane society. Have the people writing these letters ever worked in an open-door shelter? (I have, as well as a no-kill and countless volunteer hours with rescue groups.)
The amount of animals being euthanized is a result of the amount of animals being brought to the shelter. How can our community call the staff murderers and a death camp? There are animal lovers there who have to hold those animals and watch them take their last breath because Mr. and Mrs. Backyard Breeder had too many puppies, or because Fido was tied up his entire life and never learned to trust people, or because a puppy was sold too young and lacks the social skills to cope. How about the senior dogs dropped off because they are a bother to their owners?
How is it that you can’t be outraged at this? … Am I saying the humane society is perfect? No. No business is. There always is room for improvement. Instead of attacking, offer solutions. What good is blasting the humane society going to do?
Are you trying to take away their support? Because if you do, how do you think that is going to help the animals? Do you want to make people fear the humane society? What do you propose someone does if your dog gets lost? Where will they bring it? What should the backyard breeders do with their litters they cannot sell? Turn them loose?
Should dogs found as strays just be left as strays? The more you try to turn people against the humane society, the more you hurt the animals in the long run.
In September alone, the Keaau shelter took in 290 dogs, 329 cats and 75 “other” (rabbits, chickens, etc) — 619 dogs and cats alone! I have seen so many different numbers posted about animals euthanized per year, and almost every post/person has a different number, counting chickens and mongoose as part of those numbers.
Comparing our numbers to big cities is comparing apples to oranges. Plus, read the papers; the West Coast has issues, too. I am not saying we don’t have high euthanasia rates. I am appalled as well, but putting them in rescues and sending them off island is NOT the solution. Stopping animals from ending up in the shelter is.
Everyone who is outraged at the euthanization numbers should be out in their community encouraging spay and neuter, educating about backyard breeders, boycotting pet stores, and helping neighbors and families get dogs off chains. This island has a pet problem, and it isn’t the humane society.
Get mad at the numbers of animals turned in to the shelter! Don’t be disgusted at the people who have to clean up after the community. Be disgusted at the community.
Dawn Goehring
Pahoa
A treasured symbol
“To honor, preserve and perpetuate the combined culture, science, tradition and protocol of the Hawaiian Koa Canoe” (HCRA bylaws, Article II, Purposes).
The koa canoe symbolizes to the people of Hawaii the gathering of many into one. It embodies our cooperation, our willingness to take on challenges together and be made stronger by them.
Our votes at the annual Hawaii Canoe Racing Association meeting are the foundation of tomorrow. As canoe paddlers, we have an obligation to ensure our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have the same rights and privileges their parents and grandparents enjoyed.
In 1940, there was approximately one approved koa canoe for every 12,811 people. In 2015, there is approximately one approved koa canoe for every 26,111 people.
A single-log koa canoe is a living treasure: its beauty, importance and history are not diminished, or their production limited, by allowing koa logs to be cut into planks. Providing canoe builders with this option will in no way restrict the creating of a single-log canoe; in fact, it increases their historical importance and value.
Please contact your association HCRA representative attending the annual meeting Dec. 5, and let them know you support the construction of koa canoes by the planked method to ensure the continued availability of our most treasured symbol, the koa canoe.
Brian Curll
President, Hui O Mana Ka Pu‘uwai Outrigger Canoe Club
