Relating To Animal Importation.

Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Members of the Committee,
I am writing in strong support of HB 1594, a bill that promotes responsible pet ownership while addressing Hawaiʻi’s ongoing cat overpopulation crisis.

HB 1594 requires pet cats to be spayed or neutered by five months of age, with limited and reasonable exceptions, and establishes a funding mechanism to help cat owners access sterilization services. This approach focuses on prevention and support rather than punishment. Importantly, the bill specifies that no funds may be used to sterilize and release cats into the environment.

Unintended breeding of pet cats continues to contribute to large populations of stray and feral cats across Hawaiʻi. While cats can be wonderful companions, unmanaged populations create serious challenges for communities, animal welfare organizations, and public agencies. Animal shelters and animal control programs are already overburdened, and preventable litters increase long term costs and strain limited resources.

Free roaming cats are also an introduced predator in Hawaiʻi and pose significant risks to native wildlife. Hawaiʻi has more endangered bird species than any other state, and reducing avoidable predation is critical to ongoing conservation and recovery efforts. Addressing pet cat reproduction at the household level is one of the most effective ways to reduce these impacts over time.

HB 1594 offers a practical, humane solution that benefits pets, people, and wildlife alike. By encouraging responsible ownership and providing financial assistance for sterilization, this bill helps reduce suffering, improve public health outcomes, and support healthier communities statewide.

I respectfully urge the Committee to pass HB 1594 and move this important legislation forward. Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony and for your consideration.

Respectfully,