LIHUE — On any given day, there are between 200 and 250 dogs and cats at the Kauai Humane Society. Caring for them, feeding them, trying to find them homes, is expensive. And KHS, says Executive Director Penny Cistaro, doesn’t
LIHUE — On any given day, there are between 200 and 250 dogs and cats at the Kauai Humane Society.
Caring for them, feeding them, trying to find them homes, is expensive.
And KHS, says Executive Director Penny Cistaro, doesn’t have the money it needs to provide for those tasks.
That means changes are necessary.
“After careful consideration, KHS staff has made the decision that our shelter will be closed on Sundays,” she said Thursday.
The move, which starts July 7, is to help reduce its operating costs, which have increased over the last three years.
KHS is also laying off one position, and cutting back on part-time hours.
In its most recent budget request, KHS asked the county for $973,000. It received $770,000.
“So we’re still a couple hundred thousand dollars short,” she said.
KHS reviewed ways to save money, and came up with closing Sundays, usually open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and restructuring schedules for animal service and care staff.
“Unfortunately, over the past several years, we have expended our own reserve funds in order to comply with our obligations under the contract with the county. We cannot continue to operate in this manner,” said Cistaro, who became the organizations executive director in March.
Cistaro said she appreciated the county providing $100,000 in its recently adopted budget to help KHS deal with an abundance of cats.
The county is only legally responsible to provide funding for dogs, but cats are a “community problem,” Cistaro said, and a costly one, too.
Still, the $100,000 will definitely help.
“We’re hoping we will increase that next year,” she said.
Freddie’s Dog Park, which is a dog park for Kauai Humane Society members, will remain open on Sundays, but dog owners and guardians are advised they are using the park at their own risk when the shelter is closed.
“Dog owners and guardians should be proactive and develop an animal-related emergency plan as the shelter is not open to respond to any incidents,” a KHS press release said.
The budget, Cistaro said, is still tight, even with the changes.
“Very,” she said.
The best way people can help? Donate, said Cistaro.
KHS accepts donations through its website, mail or dropped off at its site, 3-825 Kaumualii Highway.
Anyone with an animal-related emergency, such as a sick or injured animal, an animal in distress, an animal in traffic, or an aggressive animal threatening public safety should can the Kauai Police Department dispatch at 241-1711.
