Hawaii’s Big Island bans feeding feral cats in an effort to help endangered native species
December 25, 2025
Hawaii’s Big Island is banning people from feeding feral cats in an effort to protect native species, including an endangered goose. The law takes effect at the start of the new year and carries fines of up to $50 for a first offense and $500 thereafter. Biologists say it’s needed to protect the native species both from feline attacks and from parasites found in cat feces. But the measure is not sitting well with many cat lovers, who say it could drive their efforts underground or force hungry cats to hunt more, not less.