ROH §12-6.10
How the animal control contractor must handle cats
Read the official text at honolulu.gov ↗The animal control contractor must do one of five things with each cat it holds: adopt it out, return it to its owner, foster it, transfer it to another shelter or rescue group, or euthanize it. Euthanasia is only allowed after the required holding period and only in specific situations.
state agencies
The ordinance, as written (Honolulu County) — Procedures for release by the animal control contractor
A copy, taken August 22, 2026. The version published by Honolulu is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
(a) The animal control contractor shall do the following for each cat in its custody:
(1) Adopt out the cat;
(2) Return the cat to its owner;
(3) Place the cat in foster care;
(4) Transfer the cat to another animal shelter or animal welfare group; or
(5) Euthanize the cat if permitted under subsection (b).
(b) A cat may be euthanized after the mandatory confinement period as required under § 12-6.5 , if applicable; provided that the animal control contractor has determined that:
(1) The cat is suffering from an injury, terminal illness, or other health problem that severely affects the cat’s or another animal’s quality of life;
(2) The cat exhibits unsocial or feral behavior that would preclude adoption;
(3) The cat exhibits behavior that is likely to result in bodily injury or death to another animal or human being; or
(4) The owner of the cat has relinquished custody of the cat to the animal control contractor and has requested that the animal control contractor euthanize the cat.
Published by the City and County of Honolulu through American Legal Publishing.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.