Hawaiian Humane Society
Newsletter
March-May 2012
People for animals. Animals for people.
Cat rescue calls for community to find role to end suffering Hawaiian Humane Society is a charitable nonprofit committed to animal welfare and supports the Honolulu Police Department to uphold certain animalrelated laws. That poses a unique negotiation between enforcement and education. The Society’s most recent cruelty case in which humane investigators rescued 13 cats from a Waimanalo residence illustrates that challenge. “Where do you draw the line between helping versus enabling or when to educate and when to enforce?” says Pamela Burns, Society president and CEO. “Our
organization faces that question every day and each situation has a unique set of circumstances.” After working for several months with an owner of more than 60 cats, care was not improving and in some cases was getting worse. “These owners seem to love their animals,” Burns said. “We gave them ample opportunity to improve the standards of care, but it got to the point where these cats were in tremendous suffering and needed immediate medical attention.” Continued on page 3
Photo by Wag and Snap Photography
Animal Care Coordinator Jessica Dunn helps nurture a rescued cat back to good health.
2012 Hero Pet Contest Winner Congratulations to the winner of our 2012 Hero Pet Photo Contest – the adorable Chi Chi Bun. The angelic pooch garnered more than 500 votes, making her our top dog.
Photo by Brandon Tabiolo Photo by Wag and Snap Photography
Chi Chi Bun is nine years old and loves her daily walk through Waikiki with her dad, Michael Courto. She soaks up the attention from visitors and often has to stop
for impromptu photo shoots. When Chi Chi Bun is not in the spotlight, she gets to work brightening the lives of the elderly at a care home in Kalihi as a member of the Hawaiian Humane Society’s Pet Visitation Program. Mahalo to runners up Lani and Malia. Visit hawaiianhumane.org to see all our 2012 Hero Pets.