Posted on: Tuesday, June 6, 2006
Humane Society Promotes Love-a-Cat Month
Advertiser Staff
To celebrate Love-A-Cat Month in June, the Hawaiian Humane Society is launching a campaign that showcases the bond between felines and people.
As part of the campaign, the Hawaiian Humane Society is encouraging cat adoptions, microchip IDs, sterilization and vaccination to improve the health and safety of our feline friends.
For those thinking about expanding their family to include a feline, the Humane Society is offering cat food and a cat toy with every adoption, in addition to sterilization; microchip identification and vaccination for a nominal adoption fee of $55.
Other ways that cat lovers can make a difference is to get identification for their pet.
"This year marks the 11th anniversary of the Cat Protection Law, which the Humane Society helped to establish," said Pamela Burns, CEO and president of the Humane Society. "This ordinance has helped to reunite thousands of lost cats on Oahu with their owners, and has reduced overpopulation."
All Oahu cats must have ID, and all cats (6 months or older) allowed outdoors must be sterilized. The first year after the law passed, the Humane Society found a 137 percent increase in reunions of lost cats with their families.
A recent survey found that 17 percent of Oahu residents are feeding cats that they don't consider part of their household.
"For those that are feeding one or two, we encourage them to take ownership of these special friends to ensure that they live longer and better lives," said Burns.
Supported by community donations, the society's free sterilization program for ferals meant that 2,871 cats were spayed and neutered last year. This has prevented thousands of unwanted litters.
For those with domestic cats, cat owners can purchase reduced-rate sterilization certificates as part of the city's Neuter Now Program that the Humane Society administers at no cost to the city or tax payers. Cost is $40 for a male cat and $50 for a female cat. For those with EBT cards, the certificates are $20 flat rate with no additional charges by participating veterinarians. The certificates and a list of participating veterinarians are available at the Humane Society at 2700 Waialae Ave. or at Satellite City Halls.
For more than 20 years, Crazy Shirts has been a Humane Society supporter i creating a signature T-shirt every June that raises funds for the society. "The community loves these shirts," says Mark Hollander, CEO of Crazy Shirts. "These limited-edition shirts that promote cat adoptions really have become a local favorite and a collector's item." A portion of T-shirt sales are donated to the society.
As a bonus, shoppers at Crazy Shirts at Ala Moana or Pearlridge Center or at the Humane Society Shop in June will receive a coupon for a free microchip ID from the Humane Society with every purchase of an Adopt-A-Cat shirt.
"Cats bring so much joy to our lives," says Burns. "It's estimated that more than 120,000 cats share our homes. Our goal is to place as many cats as possible in loving homes where they will have lifelong companions."
The Humane Society is also collecting emotionally touching "Cat Tales" which will be posted on their website.
The Humane Society is open for adoptions and retrieval of lost animals weekdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays. The receiving desk for incoming animals is open all day, every day for emergencies. To report lost or found animals, call 946-2187 ext. 1.
For more on the society, visit www.hawaiianhumane.org.
