HILO, Hawaii — The Hawaii County Council and Mayor Mitch Roth’s administration have taken steps to improve animal control services on Hawaii Island.

A collaboration between Council Chair Heather Kimball, Council member Cynthia Evans, the Roth administration and the Hawaii Police Department, Bill 22 aims to establish the Animal Control and Protection Agency to provide dedicated care and maintenance of impounded animals while fulfilling requirements under state and county law.

What You Need To Know

  • Bill 22 will create the Animal Control and Protection Agency to provide dedicated care and maintenance of impounded animals

  • Bill 22 will have its first reading on Feb. 21 before a county council committee

  • To testify, individuals can contact Council Services at 808-961-8255

“We understand and appreciate the importance of animal control services within each of our communities and we are optimistic that Bill 22 will be well-received at council,” said Kimball in a news release. “The goal is to pass this bill in time to have the newly proposed agency funded in this year’s County budget so it can quickly and properly address these important animal control concerns of our community.”

Bill 22 will have its first reading on Feb. 21 before a county council committee. Individuals can contact Council Services at 808-961-8255 to testify.

The Hawaii Island Humane Society had historically been contracted to provide county animal control until it declined to submit a bid during contract negotiations a couple of years ago. As a result, the Hawaii Police Dept. assumed animal control services in a pilot program that began in July 2021, addressing challenges while still abiding by state law.

The county is required to feed and shelter impounded dogs, cats and domesticated animals under the Hawaii County Code and state law. It includes dogs deemed “dangerous.” However, the county doesn’t provide spaying and neutering programs or accept feral animals. The Hawaii Island Humane Society and other nonprofit organizations provide these services.

Once the agency is created, the Roth administration and its partners will continue collaborating on how to best address issues outside the county’s responsibility, such as reducing the population and feral animal control.

“We’re confident that this collaboration will lead to efficient and compassionate response to this issue, which touches so many people and communities,” said Mayor Roth. “Let’s work together toward an acceptable resolution.”

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.