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Question: I have a question about cats. How many can a person have in a household?
Answer: There is no law that sets a maximum for residential households on Oahu — the way there is for dogs (10) and chickens (two) — but community associations and landlords may restrict pets on residential property. So be sure to check your homeowner or condominium association rules or your rental agreement (lease) to see whether any restrictions apply.
Although the city and state don’t specify an allowable number of household cats, there are laws aimed at cat owners that are intended to foster responsible ownership.
Among the requirements spelled out in Chapter 7 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu:
>> Sec. 7-6.2 requires the owner of any cat over 6 months old (with two exceptions) to make sure the cat has identification. By law, identification means a collar or tag that includes the current name, address and telephone number of the owner; an ear tag issued by an authorized animal-control contractor; or a microchip registering the owner with the National Computer Recovery Network or the animal-control contractor.
>> Sec. 7-6.5 requires anyone who picks up what seems to be a stray cat (“cat at large”) to immediately notify the animal-control contractor (such as the Hawaiian Humane Society) so that the rightful owner can be found (assuming the feline is properly tagged), offered for adoption (after being spayed or neutered) or euthanized.
>> Sec. 7-6.6 makes it unlawful for owners to allow a cat over 6 months old to roam outside (be “at large,” or an outdoor cat) unless the cat is sterilized.
In addition, litter laws, noise ordinances and anti-cruelty statutes apply as warranted. The latter offense is treated more seriously when 10 or more animals are involved, regardless of the type of animal. Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 711-1109 elevates second-degree cruelty to animals from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony when the “offense involves 10 or more pet animals in any one instance.”
Q: Can snakes be rabid?
A: No, because they are reptiles, not mammals. Rabies is a preventable viral disease carried only by mammals, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Q: Is there Lyme disease in Hawaii?
A: No, not cases that were contracted here, according to the CDC, which maps the disease at 808ne.ws/maplyme. The bacterial illness, which is spread to humans through the bite of infected deer ticks, does not occur nationwide, according to the health agency. In 2015, 95 percent of confirmed Lyme disease cases were reported in 14 U.S. states, concentrated heavily in the Northeast and Upper Midwest.
The distribution of the illness appears broader because “maps showing the distribution of human cases are based on where people live, which because of travel, is not necessarily where they became infected,” the CDC states. “Cases are sometimes diagnosed and reported from an area where Lyme disease is not expected, but they are almost always travel-related.”
Hawaii had no confirmed cases from 2005 through 2015, the latest year for which data are available, according to the CDC’s health surveillance data.
Mahalo
While exiting the 7-Eleven store in Wahiawa on Thursday morning, I tripped and fell. Thank you to the young lady who came to my assistance. May you have many blessings! — A grateful senior
Mahalo
Many thanks to the volunteers who help clean up city parks when they can. I saw another group out this weekend, and it does make a difference. — A reader
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.
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