As a volunteer foster “parent” for the Hawaiian Humane Society, I’m not privy to the inner workings of the organization and I don’t claim to speak for them. However, observing some of the goings-on in the admissions department, and knowing the staggering number of animals that are surrendered, I imagine it works a little like triage on a battlefield: Limited resources must go to the animals not only most likely to survive, but most likely to be adopted.

Obviously, if the euthanasia numbers are not on par with the national average, then there definitely should be an investigation. But portraying the organization as one run by sadists who are killing unnecessarily is counterproductive and ultimately hurts animals.

After all, as a shelter that turns away no animal, the Hawaiian Humane Society is left to clean up the messes of irresponsible owners who fail to spay or neuter their pets and a society that has allowed the feral cat population to exceed 200,000.

Sterilization of every animal is the only way to eliminate the suffering of these innocent creatures and end the soul-crushing work of euthanizing the unwanted.

Marcy Wilhelm

Waipahu

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