The City Council Budget Committee voted yesterday to remove the name of the Hawaiian Humane Society from animal control ordinances. Humane Society may be
removed from ordinancesBy Gordon Y.K. Pang
gpang@starbulletin.comThe action would make it easier to remove the Humane Society from its annual contract from the city for animal control, if city officials so chose.
The nonprofit organization has been receiving annual grants to operate animal care and animal control for decades. Its most recent contract for $1.64 million this fiscal year will run out June 30.
The Humane Society has had a relationship with the city dating back to 1915, said city Customer Services Director Carol Costa.
But some animal rights groups have criticized the Humane Society's treatment of animals, even filing several lawsuits against the society.
Meanwhile, the Humane Society has also recently announced it would no longer handle complaints about barking dogs and crowing roosters with the Honolulu Police Department, blaming increased calls and a stagnant budget.
An informational hearing by the Budget Committee addressing some of the concerns was scheduled for today.
Under Bill 69, the words "animal control contractor" would replace the words "Hawaiian Humane Society" in the section of the city animal control ordinances. The bill defines "animal control contractor" as "a duly incorporated humane society or organization formed for the prevention of cruelty to animals."
Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi, who introduced the bill, questioned the appropriateness of placing an independent contractor's business name in a city ordinance.
"That isn't a good way to do business," she said.
Kobayashi said the Humane Society already has an advantage over other groups because it has a $1-a-year lease from the city for its Moiliili facility. The Humane Society owns the building on the site.
"This ordinance, I believe, was enacted well over three decades ago," Costa said. "But if it's the wisdom of this Council that it would like to remove the name, so be it."
Hawaiian Humane Society President Pamela Burns submitted written testimony supporting the change, acknowledging that "this contract could be awarded to another entity."
Several organizations and individuals testified in support of the bill.
"We think it's a wonderful step forward toward potentially putting (the animal control) contract up for competitive bid," said Frank De Giacomo of the Animal Care Foundation.
Costa said after the meeting that if the bill is approved, the city likely will be setting up a way to solicit vendors for the services.
City & County of Honolulu
