Question: My dog of 18 years died recently. Mourning her loss and wanting to do the right thing, I took her body to the Hawaiian Humane Society for disposal. At the receiving counter, I was asked for a $60 cremation fee. I paid it, but why does any fee need to be charged? I pay taxes that support the Humane Society, and the one time that I need their services, I am charged a fee. If I had known about it and didn’t love the dog as much as I did, I could have just dumped her body into the trash. The inhumane society needs to really reassess this policy, or more dead animals will turn up in the trash.
Answer: The nonprofit organization provides many services related to animals, but only some are funded by taxpayer dollars, said spokes- woman Jacque LeBlanc.
"Owner-requested euthanasia and private cremation are offered to the public as a service," she said. "All our services for owned pets including adoptions, pet loss support, microchipping, pet food bank, pet visitation outreach to health care centers and more are charitable programs."
The city funds stray animal services and rescues, investigations and emergency services.
"The government does not pay for the euthanasia and cremation of people’s pets, and this is why we offer it as part of our charitable services, at the lowest rate possible," LeBlanc said.
According to its website — www.hawaiianhumane. org/euthanasia.html — the Humane Society fees for euthanasia (or cremation) are $60 for dogs, $50 for cats and $30 for other small animals.
It offers private cremation with return of ashes for additional fees: $175 for cats and other small animals and $225 for dogs.
Meanwhile, a Pet Loss Support Group, led by volunteers, meets 6 to 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month at the HHS. Call 356-2216 for information and to attend.
Question: I have a Book It! Reading Award certificate, which allows a child to receive a free one-topping personal pan pizza at Pizza Hut. It is given out to children who turn in a list of books read within a month. The expiration is one month from the date issued. I forgot to redeem one and was told that it had expired and was not redeemable. I thought gift certificates were supposed to be good for two years. Is this certificate exempt from the two-year expiration date?
Answer: Yes, according to the state Office of Consumer Protection.
Section 481B-13 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes says that electronic gift cards should be good for five years, while paper gift certificates are good for two years. The dates of issuance and expiration should be clearly identified either on the gift certificate or, for electronic cards, printed on the sales receipt.
THE law applies to gift certificates/cards that are sold. It does not cover certificates that did not involve any exchange of money.
State law says that gift certificates issued "as part of an awards, loyalty, or promotional program, or to a not-for-profit charity organization, where no money or anything of value is given to the issuer by the consumer in exchange for the gift certificate, are exempt from this section; provided that the expiration date, if any, appears on the gift certificate or accompanying printed receipt."
Mahalo: To all the good people who helped when I had the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time in a store in Makaha on Sunday, Jan. 13. A stocker in the store slid a pallet of wine bottles onto the floor in a stunning crash of white wine and broken glass. One of the broken pieces gashed a 3-inch laceration into my leg. The store clerks were wonderful, as were other customers, in helping to stanch the flow of blood and assist me. My thanks also to the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (specifically Kim, Esther and Dr. Bonham) in getting me in and out in a timely manner, 11 stitches later. You all rock. — Kelley Billings
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Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
