HIHS serves the County of Hawaii through three animal sheltering facilities, which are detailed as follows:

• Kailua-Kona - 74-5225 Queen Kaahumanu Highway, adjoining the Sanitation Transfer Station; a County-owned facility constructed in 1975, and is leased to HIHS at no cost.
• Keaau - 1.5 miles south of Keaau on Highway 130; an HIHS-owned facility which opened in March of 1974, and is offered lease-free to the County of Hawaii.
• Waimea - On Mamalahoa Highway, next to the Waimea Airport; a Parker Ranch-owned facility (an HIHS worker "guessed" that this facility was constructed in 1972), which is leased to the agency for $100.00 monthly.

HIHS is responsible for the maintaining all 3 facilities. The HIHS Facilities Committee oversees this process. The Study Team was advised that a "facility development plan" has been developed, however this plan was not presented for review.

The location of these facilities are fairly easy to access by the general public (although some complaints were received regarding the location of these sites, the Study Team experienced no difficulties in finding these facilities). All 3 facilities offer identifying signs posted along adjoining streets and/or in front of each facility to help direct the public.

Several modifications and improvements have been made to all 3 buildings since the time they were constructed. Although a floor plan of each facility was offered to the Study Team for review, this information did not offer detailed information regarding the total square footage of each building. For the purpose of this report, specific design information is offered separately as to not confuse the reader. While some of this information is repetitive, it is important for the reader to gain some knowledge of each individual facility and its design and age limitations.

Kailua-Kona Facility - The main building is primarily constructed of wood with a composition-type roof. Separate areas (detached from the main building) are offered for administrative employees, euthanasia, after-hour citizen drop-offs, and exterior kennel portions.

The grounds in front of the main building are neatly maintained and free of debris (some clutter exists around the rear of the site). The exterior of the main building is also well maintained. Within the animal holding/kennel sections and service areas, some clutter was visible. Unacceptable sound levels were not evident in the animal holding sections.

Signs are offered inside the building, directing the public through the facility. Exit signs were also observed to inform or protect visitors. A sign (free-standing) is located at the front of the drive and on the fence near the front gate. Hours of operation are posted on the entrance gate, along with an emergency phone number. The main entrance allows the public easy access. Within the animal holding sections, the public may view dogs and cats from inside (or outside) these areas.

All animals are housed within the main kennel area or the 2 separate kennel areas (another fenced section is offered for small livestock). Security fencing is provided around the confines of the facility to protect the surrounding area. The perimeter fencing is in good condition, however it does not provide a secure place for the unloading of animals. Officers typically unload impounded animals at the rear of the main kennel area. Should an animal escape, it would take some effort to recapture it, as the perimeter fencing covers a large area. In addition, the entrance gate is left open during public receiving hours, thus an escaped animal would be able to leave the facility grounds at-will.

Outside lighting was stated to be inadequate to provide protection for employees reporting to or leaving duty in the dark. Parking for the public is available within the public access area; there appears to be a very limited number of spaces available. The facility offers limited access to disabled persons.

Keaau Facility - The main building is primarily constructed of concrete block with a metal roof. Separate sections (detached from the main building) are offered for cat holding areas, administrative employees, recovery and surgery, and exterior kennel portions.

The grounds in front of the main building are very neat and attractive, and free of debris (some clutter exists within the animal receiving and food prep/laundry areas). The exterior of the main building is also well maintained. Within the animal holding/kennel sections and service areas, some clutter was visible. Unacceptable sound levels were not evident in the animal holding sections.

Signs are offered inside the building, directing the public through the facility. Exit signs were also observed to inform or protect visitors. A sign (free-standing) is located at the front of the drive and on the building (which is somewhat obstructed by foliage). Hours of operation are posted outside, along with an emergency phone number. The main entrance allows the public easy access. Within the animal holding sections, the public may view dogs and cats from inside (or outside) these areas.

All animals are housed within the main kennel areas or the 2 separate buildings for cats (a portable corral is offered for the temporary quartering of livestock, along with a "duck/geese pen"). Security fencing is provided around the confines of the facility to protect the surrounding area. The perimeter fencing is in good condition, however it does not provide a secure place for the unloading of animals. Officers typically unload impounded animals at the rear of the animal receiving area. Should an animal escape, it would take some effort to recapture it, as the perimeter fencing covers a large area. In addition, the employee access gate to this area is left open during operational hours, thus an escaped animal would be able to leave the facility grounds at-will.

Outside lighting was stated to be inadequate to provide protection for employees reporting to or leaving duty in the dark. Parking for the public is available within the public access area; there appears to be a very limited number of spaces available. The facility offers limited access to disabled persons.

Waimea Facility - The main building is primarily constructed of metal. All animal holding areas are offered within the main building, except those areas identified for livestock and after-hour citizen drop-offs.

The grounds in front of the main building are neatly maintained and free of debris (some clutter exists within the perimeter fencing area). The main building appeared to be in structurally sound condition. Within the animal holding/kennel sections and public reception areas, some clutter was visible. Unacceptable sound levels were evident in the kennel holding sections.

A few signs are offered inside the building, offering information and directing the public through the facility. Exit signs were also observed to inform or protect visitors. A sign (free-standing) is located at the front of the drive and on the front gate. Hours of operation are posted on the entrance gate, along with an emergency phone number. The main entrance allows the public easy access. Within the animal holding sections, the public may view dogs and cats from inside these areas (dogs may also be viewed from the exterior of the kennels).

All animals are housed within the main kennel area. Security fencing is provided around the confines of the facility to protect the surrounding area. The perimeter fencing is in good condition, however it does not provide a secure place for the unloading of animals. Officers typically unload impounded animals at the building’s front entrance. Should an animal escape, it would take some effort to recapture it, as the perimeter fencing covers a large area. In addition, the entrance gate is left open during public receiving hours, thus an escaped animal would be able to leave the facility grounds at will.

Outside lighting was stated to be inadequate to provide protection for employees reporting to or leaving duty in the dark. Parking for the public is available outside the perimeter fencing area; there appears to be an unlimited number of spaces available. The facility offers limited access to disabled persons.

It should be noted that the Waimea facility is scheduled for a kennel expansion within the next few months, using donated materials, labor and grant monies to ensure the project’s success.

Specific spacial needs are addressed in other areas of this report. Although competing with facility age and design limitations, workers are striving to maintain sanitary conditions and to offer a positive environment for animals.

For the 1999-2000 Fiscal Year, the facility had impounded 15,573 live animals. During peak periods of the year, all 3 facilities generally operate at 100% capacity.

Kailua-Kona - This facility is open to the public five days a week, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Wednesday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. The shelter is closed on Sunday and Monday. In general, the shelter lobby area offers limited space and is not arranged in such a way as to accommodate a smooth, incoming traffic pattern. There is one public entrance at the front of the building; the rear entrance is primarily used for staff access. Visitors must first enter the customer service area before gaining access to the animal holding sections.

Within the customer service area, a counter is offered to separate the public from employees. However, there are no physical barriers (such as a counter window and door) to prohibit visitor access into employee work areas. During normal business hours, the public is allowed unrestricted access to the animal holding areas, and are usually accompanied by an HIHS employee. The appearance of the customer service area is bright and well illuminated.

Keaau - This facility is open to the public six days a week, Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The shelter is closed on Sunday. The shelter lobby area offers limited counter space and visitor congestion was observed frequently during the on-site visit. There is one public entrance at the front of the building; the rear entrance is primarily used for staff access. Visitors typically enter the customer service area before gaining access to the animal holding sections (however, some visitors were observed entering holding areas via an outside perimeter gate, located near the front entrance). The facility also offers a separate entrance for citizens who wish to drop-off impounded or surrendered animals.

Within the customer service area, a counter is offered to separate the public from employees. However, there are no physical barriers (such as a counter window and door) to prohibit visitor access into employee work areas. During normal business hours, the public is allowed unrestricted access to the animal holding areas, and are usually accompanied by an HIHS employee. The appearance of the customer service area is bright and well illuminated.

Waimea - This facility is open to the public five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The shelter is closed on Sunday and Monday. The shelter reception area also serves as the employee office, and offers no customer service counter. Instead, shelter visitors must utilize employee work stations in which to complete paperwork. There is one public entrance at the front of the building; another entrance is primarily used for transporting dogs to the kennel area. Visitors typically enter the main office before gaining access to the animal holding sections (the cat room is the first area encountered once a visitor enters the building).

As stated previously, there is no customer service counter offered to separate the public from employees. During normal business hours, the public is allowed unrestricted access to the animal holding areas, and are usually accompanied by an HIHS employee. The appearance of the customer service area is bright and well illuminated.

Within the Kailua-Kona and Keaau facilities, the customer service areas are frequently served by Humane Officers, kennel personnel, the Shelter Managers or volunteers. In Waimea, the Humane Officers provide all of the customer service. As reflected in other areas of this report, the Study Team found it unusual to assign field officers to work in the customer service and kennel areas. The "Front Desk Humane Officer Duties" information sheet details these specific responsibilities as follows:

• Handle all animal-related complaints and calls.
• Function as the dispatcher.
• Approve adoption applications.
• Approve adoption paperwork.
• In regards to redemptions: Checks for prior impoundments, complaint notices, and notices to comply and citations before the animal is released. Serves the customer with one of the above, if applicable.
• Direct supervision of front desk volunteers.

The "Front Desk Volunteer Duties" information sheet also details specific customer service responsibilities:

• Sell dog licenses, cat identification tags and merchandise.
• Maintain lost and found data; accept information from customers and match-up with sheltered animals.
• Handle dog/cat trap and anti-bark collar rentals.
• Intake procedure (subject to approval of the Veterinary Technician or Humane Officer).
• Adoptions (subject to approval of the Humane Officer).
• Redemptions (subject to approval of the Humane Officer).
• Contact people on "wish list" regarding adoptable cats and dogs.
• Keep enough front desk forms on hand, copy as necessary.

The Study Team was also provided a list entitled "Front Office Staff Task List," however these responsibilities were not identified with any particular group of employees. The Study Team assumes that these tasks are delegated to any employee who is assigned to work within the customer service area.

Within all 3 shelters, delays in service sometimes occur in the customer service area during peak hours of operation. In these instances, a television/VCR would provide the public some form of entertainment while waiting. This device can be used for educational tapes about the agency or general animal care issues. This practice can serve to calm customers waiting for service.

Although competing with the age and design of all 3 facilities, the HIHS staff is doing everything possible to ensure the comfort and quality care for all impounded animals.

The animal holding areas are divided into several sections, which are classified to assist workers in determining specific impounding placement. These areas are described as follows:

Incoming animals are generally placed directly in a cage or kennel or processed in the receiving area; these animals are given a quick visual evaluation by the Animal Health Technician (or other shelter employee) when impounded. If a problem is found, the animal is treated by the Animal Health Technician. For those animals with serious medical needs, the Shelter Manager or Staff Veterinarian is notified for further action. All 3 facilities also offer after-hour "holding pens" (also known as "drop boxes"). This topic is addressed further at the end of this chapter in "After-Hours Deposit Boxes: Pro & Con."

Cats are housed in a variety of areas within the 3 facilities. At the Kailua-Kona facility, some cats are visually exposed to dogs. At the Keaau and Waimea facilities, these animals are sheltered separately from dogs to decrease the risk of stress and anxiety. For the most part, puppies are not typically housed in separate areas away from larger adult dogs (the Kailua-Kona shelter does offer a puppy isolation area).

All areas frequently run at full capacity during peak periods. Within the kennel areas, dogs are housed in "outdoor designed" runs (this design may be defined as a facility which does not offer at least 2 permanent walls). The housing portions of each kennel is reflected in the aforementioned charts. It appears that these dimensions allow for larger animals to turn around freely, stand, sit, stretch and lie in a normal position. However, not all kennels include steel or concrete partitions, which offer a physical barrier between kennels (previously, the Kailua-Kona facility offered metal partitions; these dividers were removed in January of 2000 because of their deteriorated condition).

The kennels are constructed of 9-gauge or better chain-link fencing (some of which was in poor condition). At the time of the on-site review, a private contractor was observed repairing several sections of the "Original Kennel" fencing at the Keaau facility. In addition, some fencing within this area offers inverted chain-link (sharp points are at the bottom, which is a hazard to animals).

Tops are not provided on most kennels. Resting benches are also not provided for the majority of dogs (several resting benches were observed at the Keaau shelter, however none were observed in use). Whelping boxes, blankets and towels are offered to female dogs and their puppies, older dogs and injured animals. Special considerations are given older, newborn or ill animals (some HIHS policies address health, food and housing issues). Kennels are not padlocked to prohibit public access. Instead, some kennel doors were observed secured by a metal clip.

Within the kennel areas, the floors are concrete and walls are chain-link fencing. It appeared that the majority of kennel floors were sealed or coated with non-permeable materials. The majority of floors have a minimum pitch for drainage. Several areas within all 3 shelters had visible signs of deterioration, creating difficulties in cleaning and sterilizing. Drain troughs are located outside of each kennel. Sewer lines serving some of these gutters were said to be inadequate, and obstructions sometimes do occur.

Cats are housed in stainless steel cages of various sizes, and all are provided with kitty litter trays (plastic or stainless steel). The majority of cages are paper-lined (at the Kailua-Kona facility, cat cages are not lined), and cats are provided stainless steel or plastic water and paper containers. None of the stainless steel cages were padlocked to prohibit public access. Nursing mothers and kittens are given special considerations in regards to housing and diet (some HIHS policies address health, food and housing issues).

Within the kennel areas, dogs are sometimes grouped together within the same kennel. At the Kailua-Kona shelter, only puppies are held in groups. At the Keaau facility, the "new" kennel section sometimes holds 3-4 adult animals or puppies; the "original" kennel section holds 1-2 adult animals. In Waimea, 2 adult dogs and up to 5 puppies may be held within the same kennel (this facility attempts to keep puppies separated for health reasons). Adult animals are separated by temperament and sex. Unfamiliar cats are not housed together. Kittens or puppies from the same litter sometimes share the same kennel or cage. Of course, those animals held in isolation or for quarantine are housed individually. There is limited space available for isolating animals that are either sick, or suspected of being sick, from the general animal population. Isolation areas are described in the aforementioned animal housing charts. In Waimea, isolated cats and puppies are sometimes held within the Euthanasia Room, which exposes these animals to the visual and audible reactions of euthanised animals.

Since the animal holding areas offer some form of open-air exposure, an air exchange to minimize odors and to provide for disease control is not offered at any of the 3 facilities. Ceiling or portable fans are used to promote air circulation. In addition, no animal holding areas offered heating or air conditioning. Inadequate lighting was most evident within the Kailua-Kona and Waimea kennel areas for safety and viewing (the lighting within the Kailua-Kona cat areas could also be improved). Walkways and corridors are of sufficient width.

All 3 facilities are designed to handle some varieties of exotic and wild animals. In Kailua-Kona, a fenced "dog-walk" area is used to temporarily house small livestock. The Keaau and Waimea shelters offer a portable corral and livestock holding area, respectively. Each facility also offers an area for the grooming and/or dipping of animals (in Waimea, this area is the laundry room or "outside").

Kennel operations are overseen by a Shelter Manager. The Keaau Manager also serves as the HIHS Director of Operations. The Kona Manager also serves as the Waimea Manager, and travels to that facility at least once weekly to interact with employees on a personal basis. The duties and responsibilities of the Shelter Manager include:

• Maintain all physical aspects of the shelter including buildings, kennels, equipment, vehicles and grounds.
• Create employee schedules.
• Review and assign duties to shelter personnel. Complaint calls shall be reviewed and assignments made on a daily basis. It is the manager’s responsibility to prioritize incoming complaints and make assignments accordingly.
• Maintain all shelter records including complaint logs, inventory of controlled substances and daily drug usage logs, and animal records and correspondence. Shelter Manager may also be required to place orders for and assure adequate inventory of drugs, vaccines and/or other shelter supplies.
• Periodic reviews of written reports and records that are routinely completed by staff including, humane officers’ reports, adoption records, health records, citations, complaint/comply notices and all other written correspondence issued from the shelter.
• Ensure that all complaint calls received are responded to and all follow-up service is provided to each complainant.
• Supervises the enforcement of county and state animal control ordinances.
• Recommends performance standards to be used for evaluation of employee performance, development and training.
• Prepares performance evaluations for assigned personnel to determine achievement of performance standard.
• Issues disciplinary notices and counsels personnel whose performance does not meet the standard. Keep supervisor informed of progress of any employees involved in the disciplinary process.
• Develops goals for the shelters and implements programs to enhance and improve the work environment of the staff.
• Maintains good working relationships with managers and staff of other shelters, agencies such as police, prosecutor’s office, DNLR, etc.
• Keep the Executive Director/Director of Operations informed on cases or events as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

The Animal Health Technicians are directly responsible for administering "the day-to-day health care needs of the animals in those shelters." The Study Team was not presented with this position’s specific duties and responsibilities. It should be noted that an Animal Health Technician is not directly assigned to the Waimea shelter. Instead, HIHS relies heavily on the Humane Officers assigned to that facility to monitor the health of sheltered animals and to communicate any serious medical needs to the Kona Shelter Manager or the Staff Veterinarian.

The Study Team was also not presented with the specific duties and responsibilities of the Kennel/Shelter Assistants.

A part-time Staff Veterinarian offers on-site veterinary support. This employee’s essential duties and functions include:

• Select, supervise, train and perform euthanasia of impounded animals according to HIHS procedures.
• Supervise all employees of the department to provide adequate personnel for hours of operation and quality of work.
• Perform sterilization surgery and veterinary healthcare services of all shelter animals according to HIHS procedures.
• Evaluates, creates, and coordinates training and development needs of staff to assure professional standards of performance.
• Provide professional advice and opinions regarding the development and implementation of educational and enforcement programs.
• Work with the Executive Director to prepare a budget for animal care needs.
• Secure equipment and supplies for use in the department while conforming to the approved budget.
• Supervise the ordering, use, control and recording of drugs and supplies used in the department according to federal, state and HIHS procedures.
• Perform physical examination, treatment protocol, testimony, and documentation of animal(s)’s condition that are involved in a cruelty investigation for the field services department.
• Continue to educate oneself concerning veterinary medicine, animal welfare, and staff supervision; and improve or update current procedures as needed according to HIHS policy.
• Inform the public concerning questions of healthcare, welfare, and condition of animals at HIHS.
• Conducts oneself in a pleasant, courteous, and professional manner.
• Treat all animals humanely, properly and with compassion according to HIHS procedure.

Food is stored in areas that restrict the entry of rodents at the Kailua-Kona and Keaau facilities. In Waimea, the food storage shed has been infiltrated with field mice. Within all 3 shelters, an in-use supply of food is kept in barrels or buckets while the bulk supply is stored in the food storage areas. The majority of food is donated by a local business. Refrigerated storage is available for special diet and medical needs.

All adult animals are fed at least once a day, usually in the morning (caged animals are fed after their cage is cleaned). Unused portions of dog food are typically disposed of by mid-day. Within the kennel areas, stainless steel and/or galvanized bowls are used for food and water. Since multiple dogs are often held within the same run, the Study Team was advised that multiple food bowls are offered to give each dog an opportunity to eat.

Stainless steel and/or plastic food and water bowls are provided for cats. Nursing mothers, elderly and infant animals are given special considerations in regards to diet. Puppies and kittens are offered replenished quantities of food (either dry and/or soft), depending upon policy and the Animal Health Technician’s recommendation.

Food and water containers are replenished daily; containers are also required to be dumped of any existing water and food. The Study Team was told that kennel food containers are disinfected daily; water bowls are rinsed daily and disinfected at least once weekly, or "as needed." Containers provided for caged animals are typically disinfected once the animal vacates the cage. Food and water is replenished directly within the kennel or cage. The agency does offer, by policy, recommendations on the quantity of foods to be provided to animals (the "Dog and Cat Feeding Standards").

Written procedures regarding shelter sanitation and disease control are offered within the Policy Manual ("Disinfection Policy", sections 14.21-23 of the HIHS S.O.P. and the "Cleaning/Disinfecting Memo" dated 08/17/99). In addition, the Study Team was also provided a "Animal Health To Do List" which details specific daily cleaning and care tasks (for employees and volunteers).

Dogs and puppies are not removed from their kennel while it is cleaned. Current procedures prohibits "an animal to be hosed down either directly or indirectly, except as prescribed treatment, or if a loud yell or noise fails to break-up an altercation between animals, or if it cannot be helped because the dog is a water-biter. However, a water-biter should be removed from its kennel to facilitate cleaning the kennel." Puppies, sick, injured and older dogs are removed from their kennels, when possible.

During the on-site visit, the Study Team did not observe any employees removing dogs from kennels prior to cleaning. While workers attempted to keep animals dry during the cleaning process, some do become wet.

The kennel cleaning process was described as follows, with slight variations between the 3 facilities: "Kennels are rinsed with water to remove debris; the Parvosol chemical or bleach is sprayed on floors, walls and fencing and allowed 10-minutes of surface contact time; all chemicals are then rinsed with water." The Parvosol is a quaternary ammonium compound that cleans, deodorizes and disinfects, and is effective against the canine parvovirus. Chemicals are mixed automatically with water in hose sprayers.

Floors and walkways are disinfected daily. Some areas within all 3 facilities are disinfected several times per day. During the on-site study, some kennels were squeegeed, however most were allowed to air-dry, which prolongs the animal’s exposure to excess water.

Caged animals are removed from their cage prior to cleaning (usually placed in a clean cage). All materials are removed from the cage, then sprayed and wiped with a cleaning agent (Parvosol). The cage is then wiped dry with clean towels or allowed to air-dry and replaced with clean newspaper (cages at the Kailua-Kona are not lined with paper). Fresh litter is offered daily. All food/water bowls and litter pans are sanitized once an animal vacates its cage.

Cleaning is done whenever possible, with most tasks being undertaken both prior to and during those times when the animal holding areas are open to the public. Spot cleaning/watering is performed by workers when time permits.

Within the animal holding areas, the agency offers Shelter Managers, Humane Officers, Animal Health Technicians, Kennel/Shelter Assistants, and a Staff Veterinarian. As stated in other sections of this report, the Study Team found it unusual that Humane Officers were commonly utilized for shelter duties, to include cleaning, feeding, impounding, adoptions and euthanasia. The Study Team believes that the agency should secure the services of additional shelter personnel to release officers from these responsibilities (this issue is addressed further in Chapter 5, "Field Operations").

The Study Team felt that with the prevailing number of animals impounded by HIHS annually, along with current hours and responsibilities, the agency needs to increase staffing levels to release other workers from shelter obligations. A nationally recognized formula to determine kennel staffing needs appears under "Determining Kennel Staffing Needs."

The Study Team was presented with a kennel work schedule, which appears at the end of Chapter 2, "Administration."

At the time of this study, no kennel positions were vacant. The kennels are staffed seven days a week. In Waimea, both Humane Officers alternate Sunday and Monday cleaning duties and are compensated with 2 hours of overtime each day. Kennel workers and volunteers are typically assigned specific areas to oversee; each worker’s job description details unique tasks and responsibilities.

Workloads vary during the day for the staff. Early mornings are busy with cleaning prior to public visiting hours. Peak workloads occur when workers are assisting the public with returned or adopted animals, evaluating incoming animals or assisting with euthanasia.

The Humane Society of the United States has recently developed a formula for determining kennel staffing needs:

Based on the above formula, a minimum of 9 staff members is required, each day, solely for performing cleaning and feeding duties (these 9 positions would need to be distributed among the 3 facilities based on that shelter’s impounding data).

It should be noted that during the reporting period from 1996-2000, the HIHS impounding ratio was 50.9% for cats versus 49.1% for dogs. This is the first time in any NACA evaluation in which cats have exceeded dogs in impounding ratio.

The agency currently does not utilize a commercial software package, agency-wide, to track animal receiving and redemption, adoptions, etc. Instead, impounded animals must be logged on paper (intake forms) upon entering the facility and once adopted, redeemed or euthanised. Currently, the Kailua-Kona and Waimea shelters enter information into a database on animals adopted or redeemed only at the end of each month (using the intake forms and invoices for that period). The Director of Operations claims that animals can be traced from the time they are picked up until their final disposition using this system (depending upon the facility, animals are also assigned a cage number, kennel/cage card, metal tag and/or a mylar band). This system also records all pertinent information regarding the animal’s impoundment, condition and description. Since there is a central point for records (at each facility), this decreases the risk (and liability) for "losing" animals and impoundment information. The current method is designed to prevent mistakes, but errors sometimes do occur (usually because inaccurate information is entered onto the animal’s record or an animal is transferred to another kennel/cage). All information, including the animal’s description, condition, circumstances of impoundment and ownership status are recorded at the time of impoundment.

The Study Team felt that the current system of animal inventory was somewhat reliable, however the agency should purchase a professional animal tracking software package when funds become available. Such software would be able to eliminate backlogs and data duplications, which now occurs. In addition, these software programs would be able to encompass all work areas, thus enhancing data gathering efforts.

HIHS should also develop uniform animal tracking procedures for all 3 shelters. The Study Team observed varying tracking methods among the facilities (ie: the Keaau facility placed numbered metal identification tags on incoming dogs, while the Kailua-Kona and Waimea shelters did not). Tracking methods should always be consistent and reliable to minimize errors and prevent the agency from being placed in an uncomfortable (liability) situation.

Animals usually enter the facility in one of three ways: Dropped off by the public, abandoned in after-hour "holding pens" (also known as "drop boxes"), or impounded by HIHS. The majority of the animals impounded are dogs and cats, however other animals have also been confined (livestock and exotic). Wild animals are generally not handled by HIHS (typically only injured animals).

Impounded stray dogs are held for a minimum of 48 hours, excluding those days in which the impounding shelter is closed. Impounded stray cats are not legally required to be held for any minimum period of time. Owned dogs and cats are typically held a minimum of 7 days, then placed up for adoption or destroyed if unclaimed (current policy requires owner notification, by phone or letter). The Study Team felt that the average holding time for stray dogs and cats is unusually short and is not consistent with other Animal Control agencies. In the Study Team’s experience, holding times are usually based upon the "72-Hour Rule", in which impounded animals are held for a minimum of 72 hours, and can be adopted or euthanised on the 4^th day of impound.

This is the first time in any NACA evaluation in which local or state law did not require a holding period for cats. In several states, cats and dogs are considered "property" and retain some monetary and emotional value for the pet owner. The Study Team would caution HIHS on its continued practice of immediately euthanizing some incoming cats (for temperament, lack of space, etc.). Since HIHS can be considered a "quasi-public" organization when acting in an official capacity, the agency is subject to the same constitutional requirements as any other government agency and thus must respect a pet owner’s due process rights. As with any lost piece of property recovered by an official government agency, such property must be held for any potential claim by its rightful owner. Although local or state laws do not require the cat holding period, the Study Team fears that any challenge by citizens of the current policy may place HIHS in an uncomfortable (liability) position. In short, the Study Team would recommend the same holding period for both dogs and cats, regardless of current legal requirements.

The date of adoption availability is the day after the legal impound time expires, which is dependant upon the type of animal (since the holding periods for dogs and cats are not the same). HIHS also accepts animals that are no longer wanted by their owners. Unclaimed, owned animals are held as long as there is space available.

The maximum length of time an animal may stay at the shelter varies. The length of the stay is dependant upon space available at the shelter, the temperament and health of the animal, and interest expressed by the public.

Health assessments begin when an animal is first handled by field and kennel workers. A "quick" physical inspection is given to all incoming animals. If the staff recognizes a problem, the Animal Health Technician, Shelter Manager or Staff Veterinarian provides further examination. Special instruction is given to workers regarding disease recognition.

Mostly, the staff just learns on the job. In addition, area veterinarians are also available for the emergency treatment of impounded animals, whenever necessary.

The following chart details the impounding process:

When an owner does relinquish a pet to be placed up for adoption, he or she is informed that there is no guarantee that the animal will be adopted (surrender policy information sheet). Owners are asked to provide a "profile" on their animal before surrendering it (owner surrender information sheet). This profile includes information about the history of the animal (age, name, health, personality and temperament) that relate to its adoptability.

A signed release is required for surrendered animals, however proof of identification (driver’s license or social security card) is not a matter of policy. Relinquished animals are immediately evaluated for their adoptability and can be adopted or euthanised at any time (those animals deemed adoptable are held for the 48-hour isolation period).

When some person desires to relinquish, adopt or reclaim a pet, their process begins in the customer service area. Incoming animals are transported to their assigned kennel or cage, after processing, with the use of a leash, catch-all pole or carrier. Depending upon the facility, animals are also assigned a cage number, kennel/cage card, metal tag and/or a mylar band. An Intake/Release Form is submitted for all animals coming into the shelter. Once the incoming animal record is completed, a cage/kennel card, metal tag and/or mylar tag is generated and placed on the animal or the animal’s cage or kennel. Identification numbers are assigned to all incoming animals (preprinted on the Intake/Release Form). All fees are paid in the customer service area whenever any transaction occurs.

The following fee schedule is offered by HIHS:

The Study Team thought that it was unusual for the agency not to charge an escalating impounding fee for repeat offenders. Most Animal Control/Care agencies charge an escalating fee, in addition to the boarding fee. The addition of such fees would augment compliance for leash laws, punish habitual offenders, reduce the need for court appearances (as a citation would not need to be issued if the animal was already in custody) and increase revenue for the program (and thus offset program costs).

The Study Team does not agree with the suggestion of issuing a citation for every redeemed at-large dog. Currently, citation penalties are not retained by the County of Hawaii. Those fees are collected by the State of Hawaii and are not returned to the local level to offset program costs. Thus, the escalating impound fee is a more favorable alternative. In those instances in which an owner refuses to claim his/her pet based on the severity of the impound fee, that individual should be issued a citation for abandoning the animal instead, which generally carries a stiffer penalty.

During the impounding process, employees are required to scan for the presence of a microchip and search for any tattoos.

Any person reclaiming an animal will complete paperwork and pay the appropriate fees in the customer service area, then workers will retrieve the animal from the kennel or cage. Positive identification is not required from owners for any animal claimed. Adopted or redeemed animals are not required to obtain a rabies vaccination upon leaving the facility.

After the animal’s legal impoundment time has expired, the animal is then placed up for adoption or euthanised. The agency currently offers a policy (memorandum dated 02/15/01 entitled "Holding Period") which states that "adoptable animals will be held as long as space allows and the animal remains physically and emotionally healthy."

The Shelter Manager is responsible for making the final determination on the animal’s disposition once ownership reverts to HIHS.

HIHS offers an adoption program. Once the animal’s legal impoundment time has expired, workers assess the animal’s health and temperament (space is also a consideration); if approved, the animal is offered for adoption. All animals are adopted on a "first-come, first-serve" basis. Most dogs or cats found within the shelter may be adopted if unclaimed. The agency offers the following adoption policy (HIHS S.O.P. 14.31):

"The Policy of the Humane Society is to seek quality homes, not merely quantity. The Humane Society reserves the right to refuse adoption of its animals to any individual it feels unsuitable, and in being selective as to which animals will be put up for adoption and which ones are available for adoption." (End of policy summary)

Specific adoption procedures are also offered in a memorandum, dated 02/29/00, entitled "Adoption Kennel Procedures":

"In order for an animal to go from our isolation kennels/cages to our adoption areas, they must first pass a health and behavioral check. The check includes the following:

• Evaluating the animal’s general health.
• Discovering obvious and hidden behavioral problems.
• Determining the overall adoptability of the animal.
• Administering deworming medications, vaccinations, and flea/tick treatment.

Due to the fact that this is a detailed process, this procedure should be carried out only by Humane Officers and/or the Animal Health Technicians. Therefore, it is important that animals in isolation not be moved to the adoption areas unless done so by a Humane Officer or Animal Health Technician." (End of policy description)

Because of staff limitations, perspective adopters receive limited counseling prior to adopting an animal. To be considered for pet ownership, an adopter must:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Have identification (such as a driver’s license) showing a current address.
• Have the knowledge and consent of a landlord and all household members.
• Be able and willing to spend the time and money necessary to provide training, medical treatment and proper care for a pet.

Perspective owners complete and submit an adoption application. HIHS typically does not check perspective adopters for previous offenses against animal ordinances, outstanding citations or previous cruelty/neglect convictions (the lack of a shared database between all 3 facilities hinders this process). Applications must be approved by a Humane Officer or the Shelter Manager. A potential owner may be disqualified for the following reasons:

• Persons having an extensive history of losing, giving away, selling or having animals injured or killed by moving vehicles.
• Persons who will intentionally put the animal in a situation which may cause injury or death.
• Persons who mislead or fail to provide accurate information on the adoption applications.
• Persons who have lost an animal and failed to report the animal lost, or made no efforts to find it.

Sterilization of all adopted dogs and cats is mandatory and is performed before the new owner receives custody of the animal. Surgeries are performed in-house by the staff veterinarian or a participating veterinarian clinic. Adopted animals are transported to offsite clinics by Humane Officers. Participating veterinarians are reimbursed for the spay/neuter surgery by HIHS (at a generously reduced cost). Currently, 16 veterinary clinics participate in the HIHS adoption program.

The agency accepts early spay/neuter procedures, however special considerations are afforded to infant animals or those animals that experience medical conditions at the time of adoption. Not all veterinary clinics participate in early spay/neuter procedures.

Any adopted animal may be returned to the shelter within 7 days, for medical reasons, for a refund of the adoption fee. Adopted animals receive "minimum" vaccinations and physical examinations prior to leaving the shelter. Thus, the new pet owner is required to transport the adopted animal to a veterinarian for a full examination within 7 days of adoption.

License purchases are required for any adoption. The new pet owner is not required to vaccinate his/her animal for rabies once the animal arrives at the veterinarian.

Previous bite animals (evaluated on a case-by-case basis), wolf hybrids and aggressive animals are not placed up for adoption. There are no other breed specific denials. All animals are evaluated by health and temperament. The history of an animal (if known) is taken into consideration when evaluating an animal for adoption. The Animal Health Technicians or Humane Officers are ultimately responsible for determining an animal’s adoptability.

During the 1999-2000 Fiscal Year reporting period, the agency had a 11% dog adoption rate and a 9% cat adoption rate. Adoption records are kept via the computer and hardcopy. Currently, the Kailua-Kona and Waimea shelters enter information into a database on animals adopted or redeemed only at the end of each month (using the intake forms and invoices for that period). A report is then generated, summarizing the totals for that month.

To enhance its current adoption program, HIHS also participates in the "Neighbor Island Puppy and Kitten Adoption Program," which enables HIHS to exchange surplus puppies and kittens with the Hawaiian Humane Society on Oahu. Once selected animals successfully complete a physical exam and receive all necessary vaccinations, they are shipped (via Aloha Airlines) to the Hawaiian Humane Society for adoption.

HIHS also offers a volunteer foster care program, which strives to "provide temporary care for infant or sick animals with treatable health problems or any other animal to be determined by the shelter manager, so that they may be available for adoption." The Study Team was not presented with any information regarding the level of volunteer participation involved with this program.

HIHS and the Animal Rescue Coalition of Hawaii has entered into a fostering partnership "to extend the lives of healthy, adoptable dogs or cats that have been at the shelter for their allotted time and would otherwise be euthanised for lack of a home, and help to find them homes." A.R.C.H. has agreed to take full responsibility of these animals while in their care, to include any necessary medical care, spaying and neutering, and advertising regarding adoption placement.

The Spay/Neuter Community Assistance Program is a project sponsored by the County of Hawaii, HIHS and 16 participating veterinary clinics. The purpose of the program is to make available low-cost spay/neuter certificates to citizens who might not otherwise afford to have their dog or cat spayed or neutered.

For the 2000-2001 Fiscal Year, the County of Hawaii contributed $35,000 for this program. Additional monies ($10,000 for the current fiscal year), generated through HIHS fund-raising events and adoption fees, also supplement the spay/neuter program. Area veterinarians also generously subsidize the program by offering reduced surgery fees and donate additional spay/neuter surgeries in conjunction with special promotions, such as Spay Day USA. Typically, 3 "sales" are held annually, in the months of October, February and June. Households are limited to purchasing 2 spay/neuter certificates at the following cost:

• Male cat - $25.00
• Female cat - $35.00
• Male dog - $45.00
• Female dog - $50.00

The pet owner is also required to purchase a County dog license at the time of request. A $1.00 processing fee, per application, is retained by HIHS. A HIHS volunteer oversees the Spay/Neuter Community Assistance Program, utilizing a Microsoft Excel and Access database to track certificates.

In addition to the annual promotions, each HIHS Shelter Manager is allowed to issue 10 spay/neuter certificates per month, based on need and circumstance.

This is the first time in any NACA evaluation in which public funds have been utilized for the spaying and neutering of privately-owned animals. The Study Team commends the efforts of local government, HIHS, veterinarians and the citizens of Hawaii County. The following chart details the success of the Spay/Neuter CAP Program, as of 06/12/01:

HIHS uses the controlled drug "Fatal Plus" for euthanasia purposes. Fatal Plus, which is produced by Vortech Pharmaceuticals in Dearborn, Michigan, contains pentobarbital sodium as the active ingredient. The solution itself is dyed blue and labeled for easy identification or isolation. The drug’s action is described in the manufacturer’s product brochure as follows:

"Fatal Plus produces classic euthanasia by sequentially depressing the cerebral cortex, the lungs and the heart. Action on target organs gives humane euthanasia of unparalleled speed, effectiveness and specificity. Instant unconsciousness is induced with simultaneous collapse of the animal. Deep pentobarbital anesthesia ensues with blood pressure fall, stoppage of breathing and cerebral death. Cardiac function stops, quickly and irreversibly."

Depending on the animal’s behavior, some aggressive animals are sedated (xylazine or a ketamine-xylazine hydrochloride mixture) prior to euthanasia for personnel safety and to keep the animal comfortable. Use of drugs for euthanasia is well-documented. Amounts expended are tracked via the Sodium Pentobarbital and Ketamine Log. Workers monitor the intake number, species, date of euthanasia, reason for euthanasia, dosage, and name of the technician. The Staff Veterinarian is accountable for confirming the accuracy of all euthanasia and tranquilizing drug records.

The bulk of controlled euthanasia drugs and tranquilizing agents are stored within the 3 shelters as follows:

• Kailua-Kona - Bulk supply kept in a locked safe located within a locked closet located in the Executive Director’s office (unknown if this safe is bolted to the floor).
• Keaau - Bulk supply kept in a locked safe located within the Director of Operations/Shelter Manager’s office (this safe is fixed to the floor). An in-use supply is kept within a locked "ammunition box" located in the main office; the box is also chained to a file cabinet via a heavy chain and padlocks.
• Waimea - Bulk supply kept in a locked safe located within a locked closet (it is unknown if this safe is bolted to the floor; numerous materials were observed stacked on the safe at the time of the on-site visit). An in-use supply is kept within a locked "ammunition box" located in the main office; the box is also chained to a file cabinet via a heavy chain and padlocks.

The Study Team was advised that there are no state laws which restricts the methods of euthanasia. The agency offers written policies within the S.O.P. (Section 15.01) and written memorandums (dated 05/20/99, entitled "Revision to Euthanasia Policy" and dated 10/18/99, entitled "Euthanasia Procedures"). Section 15.01 offers an introduction to the agency’s policy on euthanasia:

The goal of the Humane Society is to prevent animal suffering. Although suffering is often thought of or viewed as physical pain, an animal knows of other suffering as well, such as that which comes from not having a home to call its own and no one to offer lifelong attention to its needs.

Shelters can only provide so much respite for those that are cast aside or unwanted. They can offer the possibility of a new life to only a few. The others must receive a dignified end to their existence and be humanely euthanised. For to do otherwise, to keep them in a ‘shelter environment’ the rest of their lives, is not economically or physically possible. To ‘set them all free’ would be the cruelest and most irresponsible things one could do to domesticated pet animals. Stray or abandoned animals have a greater chance of dying of starvation or disease, or killed in traffic, or being shot or poisoned or pitted against one another in mortal combat, or used for an experimental purpose.

Therefore, in the absence of a quality existence for unwanted pets, the volume of surplus pets unfortunately dictates an excess for which there are no homes and, in many instances, no shelter space available. The Humane Society’s policy is to give these animals a dignified, painless death rather than have them suffer in an unwanted and/or dangerous existence." (End of policy description)

The agency requires that only certified workers perform these tasks. On most occasions, at least 2 workers are involved in the euthanasia process; one worker performs the procedure, while the other employee assists with holding/calming the animal. The Study Team was told that the agency currently rotates workers involved in this process.

All animals are euthanised by lethal injection. When using lethal injection, intravenous (IV) or intraperitoneal (IP) injections are considered to be the primary routes when administering Fatal Plus. The agency follows protocol listed in the "Euthanasia Guide for Animal Shelters" which is highly regarded in Animal Control/Care work. This guide describes the routes of administering drugs and the methods of delivery in conjunction with those recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Within HIHS, intracardiac (IC) injections are never used on alert dogs and cats (typically a follow-up injection). The AVMA, HSUS and NACA all agree that intra cardiac injections should not be performed on alert animals.

Animals are taken to the euthanasia room via a catch-pole, carrier, leash or carried (some aggressive animals are sedated within their kennel or cage before being transported to the euthanasia room). In Waimea, cats and puppies held within the euthanasia room are covered with a blanket or towel to minimize their exposure to the euthanasia process. However, these animals are still exposed to the audible reactions of euthanised dogs and cats. The Study Team did have an opportunity to observe the handling and euthanasia methods at all 3 facilities during the on-site study. All animals were treated with compassion and dignity both before and after death. Based on this limited analysis, current methods do not cause excessive stress, apprehension or fear.

Procedures and security checks are necessary to avoid errors in selection of animals for euthanasia, and the agency does have an error-checking method currently in place. Animals are identified by the intake record, cage/kennel card, metal tag, mylar band and physical description. The Shelter Manager (or other on-site supervisor) approves all animals which are scheduled for euthanasia. Animals are scanned for a microchip during this process.

Death is verified by "lack of heartbeat" (no stethoscope is used) and/or eye/physical reactions. In some instances, the intracardiac technique is employed to check for cardiac standstill following IV or IP euthanasia. All these methods are consistent with procedures used to support that death had occurred. Death is verified in all instances. Needles are disposed of in a safe and proper manner. Scales (floor and "baby") and muzzles are also available. However, not all of this equipment is offered at each facility. Grooming clippers were not observed at any of the 3 facilities.

Each facility does have a euthanasia room. Oddly enough, none of the shelters offer a euthanasia table. Instead, animals are euthanised primarily on the floor. Except for the Waimea facility, the euthanasia rooms are large enough to comfortably accommodate animals and staff. The lighting in these rooms appear to be adequate.

Carcasses are bagged, then placed directly in a freezer or on a truck for immediate transfer to a landfill. The Study Team was told that euthanasia is performed at any time that there is a need for more space.

New employees are offered an orientation before beginning work. After hiring, personnel are trained "on the job," usually being placed with designated training staff (senior employees) and/or rotated among several workers. The length of time varies among employees, depending on previous experience and work area. Workers are designated as "in training" for their entire 6-month probationary period before officially being discharged from the training program. The HIHS Employee Manual describes the probationary period as "an orientation period and is designed to introduce new employees to the HIHS, its policies, procedures and staff."

Specific certifications and licenses are required for certain HIHS positions (anyone involved in the euthanasia process, the Staff Veterinarian, and Humane Officers). No worker is allowed to participate in the euthanasia process unless certified. The euthanasia training program was described as follows:

• The recruit spends a minimum of 2 months observing other certified workers.

• The recruit receives a minimum of 8 hours of in-house training, utilizing the protocol listed in the "Euthanasia Guide for Animal Shelters." The Staff Veterinarian provides this instruction. Once the recruit displays an acceptable level of proficiency, the Staff Veterinarian will "certify" the worker for euthanasia.

The Study Team was advised that all current HIHS staff members involved in the process are certified in euthanasia. The agency does not require the annual recertification of these employees. Instead, the Staff Veterinarian or a community veterinarian will periodically observe each worker engaged in the process.

Recommendations

4.01 The County of Hawaii should explore the possibility of expanding and renovating its current animal sheltering facility in Kailua-Kona within the very near future. Rating: 1

4.02 HIHS should proceed with plans to expand and improve the Waimea animal sheltering facility as soon as possible. Rating: 1

4.03 Eliminate any clutter inside or outside the facility. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 3

4.04 HIHS should evaluate outside lighting (at all 3 facilities) in the public and employee parking lots and offer improvements, if necessary for safety purposes. Rating: 3

4.05 Increase the number of parking spaces offered to the public. (Kailua-Kona and Keaau) Rating: 3

4.06 All areas of the facility should be upgraded to provide increased access to disabled persons. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 3

4.07 Repaint areas within the shelter as required. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 3

4.08 Repair and reseal all animal holding enclosures where needed. Any deteriorated fencing, gates and framework should be fixed or replaced. Tops should be provided for all kennels. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 3

4.09 Repair or replace perimeter fencing as required. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 3

4.10 A television with a VCR should be provided in the customer service area to play educational tapes for customers waiting for service. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 3

4.11 The customer service area should be expanded and/or redesigned; work stations should also be installed to increase the comfort of those visitors completing paperwork. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 3

4.12 Identify and remove all hazards to visitors, employees and animals. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 1

4.13 All equipment/supplies need to be stored properly, out of the reach and view of visitors. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 3

4.14 Existing equipment should be inventoried and a determination made on its usefulness. Unneeded items should be disposed of properly. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 3

4.15 Adult cats and kittens should be housed in a separate area away from dogs. (Kailua-Kona) Rating: 1

4.16 HIHS should ensure that all kennels are separated by a solid partition of either steel or concrete, both inside and out. Such partitions must be a minimum of 4 feet in height, with an additional 2 feet of fencing on top of the wall. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 1

4.17 The agency should consider expanding its current isolation areas in an attempt to segregate sick, quarantined and injured animals from the general shelter population. Whenever possible, puppies should be kept isolated from the adult dog population. Isolated cats should also be housed in areas away from dogs. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 1

4.18 Plastic or fiberglass resting benches should be provided for all kennels in an effort to make dogs more comfortable. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 2

4.19 All kennels and cages should be secured with padlocks to prohibit public access. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 1

4.20 It is not desirable for multiple animals to be housed together in the same kennel/cage, however the Study Team recognizes the fact that the current facilities are not adequate to handle the number of animals that the agency impounds. Any expansion may be cost prohibitive for the agency (actual costs should be explored and considered for capital outlay or grant funding). (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 1

4.21 Dogs and cats should not be euthanised in plain sight or sound of other live animals. (Waimea) Rating: 3

4.22 Improved lighting should be offered throughout all animal holding areas (Kailua-Kona and Waimea). Rating: 3

4.23 Increased supervision should be required within the animal holding areas in an attempt to increase (and guarantee) the level of care afforded to all animals. A certified veterinary technician should be hired to improve oversight in these areas. (Waimea) Rating: 1

4.24 A vermin-proof area should be identified for food storage. (Waimea) Rating: 1

4.25 All dogs should be removed from their kennel prior to cleaning. This prevents animals from being exposed to excessive amounts of chemicals and water. These animals may be placed in a temporary kennel or cage during the cleaning process. It should be recognized that the physical removal or transferring of animals from one cage to another will increase staff cleaning time. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 1

4.26 All kennels should be free of standing water and as dry as possible before animals are returned to them. Kennel floors should be squeegeed dry. Floor fans may also be used to expedite the drying process. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 1

4.27 All food and water containers should be disinfected daily. Rating: 1

4.28 Based on the Humane Society of the United States’ kennel staffing formula, the agency should offer no less than 9 kennel workers (distributed among the 3 facilities based on that shelter’s impounding data) for the purpose of cleaning and feeding. Other work responsibilities (such as assisting the public, evaluating and vaccinating animals and recording impounded animals) will increase the agency’s need for more kennel employees. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 1

4.29 The agency should purchase an animal tracking software program which would capture vital data regarding impounded and reclaimed/adopted animals. This software should also provide knowledge of prior offenses and name queries. Computer and printer upgrades should be offered in all work areas. Additional computer training should be offered to those employees who require it. Workers should be trained in computer usage and software. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 3

4.30 HIHS should develop uniform animal tracking procedures for all 3 shelters. The Study Team observed varying tracking methods among the facilities (ie: the Keaau facility placed numbered metal identification tags on incoming dogs, while the Kailua-Kona and Waimea shelters did not). Tracking methods should always be consistent and reliable to minimize errors and prevent the agency from being placed in an uncomfortable (liability) situation. In addition, the agency should perform a morning and evening "headcount" of impounded animals to reinforce inventory procedures. Rating: 1

4.31 The County of Hawaii should reevaluate its animal ordinances. The Study Team felt that the minimum animal holding times for stray dogs and cats were unusually short and not consistent with other Animal Control agencies. Rating: 2

4.32 Although not legally required, HIHS should reevaluate its animal holding period for cats. The Study Team felt that the minimum holding time for cats was unusually short, and is not consistent with other Animal Control/Care agencies. In addition, the Study Team would recommend the same holding period for both dogs and cats. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 1

4.33 Proper identification should be obtained from all citizens/owners during the surrender, reclaim and adoption process. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 1

4.34 The agency should introduce an impoundment fee schedule, charging escalating fees for repeat offenders. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 1

4.35 Potential adopters should undergo a criminal background check (if not allowed by law, they then should be screened for any previous animal/abuse neglect conviction). (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 1

4.36 HIHS should utilize volunteers or hire additional personnel to council prospective animal adopters. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 2

4.37 If not already provided, all drug supply safes should be bolted to the floor to prevent theft. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 1

4.38 A euthanasia table, scales (to help determine the animal’s weight for proper injection dosages), muzzles, grooming clippers and a stethoscope should be purchased for each sheltering facility. (Kailua-Kona, Keaau and Waimea) Rating: 3

4.39 The Waimea euthanasia room should be expanded to better accommodate staff members and animals. Rating:3