STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1648

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 211

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 211 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HAWAIIAN HUMANE SOCIETY TO DEVELOP A PROGRAM TO ASSIST LOW-INCOME PET OWNERS AFFORD EMERGENCY CARE FOR THEIR PETS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Hawaiian Humane Society to develop a program to assist low-income pet owners to afford emergency care for their pets.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from twenty-one individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from three individuals.

Your Committee finds that there are physical health benefits of pet ownership such as increased opportunities for exercise as well as many mental health benefits, such as managing loneliness and depression through the companionship pets can provide. Your Committee further finds that keeping a pet healthy by making regular visits to the veterinarian and purchasing medication or enlisting medical services can be expensive. Families should not have to choose between the health of their pet or incurring debt. Therefore, this measure requests the Hawaiian Human Society to develop a program to assist low-income pet owners in providing feasible emergency medical care for their pets.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 211 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair