Pet sterilization contract returns to Hawaiian Humane

Animal Care Foundation, a nonprofit veterinary service based in Hawaii Kai, has lost its contract with the city because its planned mobile pet sterilization clinic never hit the road. The foundation was the low bidder last year to operate the city's Neuter Now program designed to reduce Oahu's population of unwanted and abandoned pets. The city contract called for 5,000 operations during the one-year duration of the $300,000 contract.

The Honolulu Department of Budget and Fiscal Services notified the company March 16 that it had not met the minimum contract specifications. The contract was canceled effective April 7.

The Hawaiian Humane Society, which held the contract for some 22 years, was the only other bidder and will be awarded the contract after the procurement exemption process is completed, a city spokesman said.

Animal Care Vice President Frank De Giacomo said delays in working out contract details with the city led to a $500,000 rolling clinic being awarded to another city. "The city delayed, so they gave our vehicle elsewhere. It was a comedy of errors, but it's not very funny," he told the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.

Under Neuter Now, a dog or cat owner buys a certificate from the city to be used to have an animal spayed or neutered. Cost is $40 to $75. Welfare or food stamp recipients pay $20. Hawaiian Humane Society spokeswoman Kawehi Yim said the society has 14 veterinarians ready to accept the set fee.