More of our furry friends may be saved from the chopping block.

A bill proposing to prevent the euthanasia of sheltered animals passed its first reading at Wednesday’s Honolulu City Council meeting. Council member Tom Berg introduced the bill.

The Humane Society puts down roughly 10,000 cats and a “few thousand” dogs each year, according to a testifier representing the organization.

The bill proposes to amend Honolulu’s animal control law by requiring the city’s animal control contractor to notify the public and all shelters and rescue groups before putting an animal down. 

Among those testifying was Cathy Goeggel of Animal Rights Hawaii, Frank DeGiacomo of Animal Haven and Stephanie Ryan of the Hawaii ASPCA. 

They supported the bill but had reservations, noting that its provisions could lead to overcrowding in the shelters.

— Alia Wong