Ask the Mayor: Can a Cat Colony Be Registered on Maui?

Feral fowl and feline together on Maui. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the most-asked questions submitted to his office staff.

Aloha Mayor: 

Q: Can someone register a cat colony in a residential area? If so, what is the limit on the number of cats, and what (if any) can the neighbors do to prevent them from invading their property (yards, garages, vehicles, etc.)?

I cannot see spending my hard-earned money to prevent a neighbor from being an irresponsible pet owner.

A: Yes, it is possible for an individual to voluntarily register with the Feline Foundation of Maui as a caretaker for a cat colony in a residential area. It is not illegal to maintain a colony on one’s own property; however, the animals should be contained on that property, not allowed to roam, and either spayed or neutered.

If the cats do wander to a neighbor’s property, the neighbor may humanely trap and transport the cat(s) to the Maui Humane Society (MHS). As with many other neighborhood issues, however, it’s best if neighbors can attempt to work things out together before resorting to other tactics.

While there is no “official” registry of cat colonies, there are approximately 300 known colonies of feral cats being monitored by volunteers on Maui. This means that it is essential that cat owners and caregivers make sure their cats aren’t reproducing and adding to the number of feral cats in our community. MHS further encourages people to keep their cats indoors, especially if they refuse to have the cats sterilized. For more information on responsible pet ownership and other animal control-related topics, visit the MHS website.

Want to Ask the Mayor?

Submit your questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email at [email protected], by phone at 270-7855 or by mail to 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the Ask the Mayor column.