DLNR proposes new rules for cats and other animals on state lands
Hawaii wants to crack down on stray and roaming animals on state land, which is good news for native birds and monk seals but alarming for cat rescuers and nearby pet owners.
- The proposed rules would ban feeding or abandoning any animal on state land.
- The most disputed part lets officials impound or kill domestic animals and wildlife roaming loose on those lands.
- Wildlife groups point to toxoplasmosis, a parasite spread by cats, as the top killer of endangered monk seals — another young seal just died from it.
- Cat advocates want trap-neuter-return instead, warning the rules would mean starving or shooting animals and could sweep up people's pets.
- The parasite can survive in the environment for a year or more and also infects dolphins and humans.
Outlook: Public testimony closes Wednesday, and the fight over whether killing roaming cats is acceptable will decide how far the final rules go.