ACTION 4 ANIMALS HAWAII
Community Cats
What's a community cat?
A cat that lives outdoors and is not owned by a single person, but is cared for—formally or informally—by one or more people in the community. These cats may be unsocialized, semi-social, or friendly strays. They often live in groups called colonies and typically rely on food, shelter, or medical care provided by local caregivers. These are called "managed colonies".
Sadly, in Hawaii, many of the community cats are actually "dumped" or relocated pets.
Is it illegal to feed a community cat?
You might have heard of "Bill 51" which was recently approved by the Hawaii County Council despite overwhelming opposition. While we can't change that bill, we can clarify what it does and does not cover.
We highly recommend carrying a copy of Bill 51 with you no matter where you are feeding cats, to assure other people also understand the bill and its limitations.
BILL 51 DOES NOT:
- Prohibit any feeding on private property
- Prevent any TNR activities on private property
BILL 51 DOES:
- After January 1, 2026, limit feeding on Hawaii County property (except though "authorized" programs which are currently undefined)
- After January 1, 2026, limit TNR activities on Hawaii County property (except though "authorized" programs which are currently undefined)
Feeding and TNR on state property was already regulated per DLNR.
Please be aware of any endangered or threatened species wherever you are feeding. Be a good citizen and remove all plates, extra food, and keep our island clean.
​We HIGHLY recommend becoming a Certified Cat Feeder through the Aloha Animal Alliance. Once certified, you will know how to responsibly feed, and will receive official materials that identify you as a certified feeder.
County of Hawaii's Animal Control & Protection Agency's role in community cat management
