Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary — Attraction in Lānaʻi

I don't know where to even begin with this....as you drive up you can almost feel the energy radiating off of this place. As you pull into the parking lot you will see a large fenced off area. This is heaven!! As we got out and walked over to the door we were joyously greeted by Amanda. (Who has THE best job on the islands) she was quick to tell us about the cause and how they operate. We walked around as she invited cats over and introduced everyone along the way. She has ONE MAGNIFICENT memory!!! As we walked around we couldn't keep our composure. We had to greet everyone and see who was all ready to get some rubs!!!😸😸

We first ventured up to the barn style enclosure for feral cats and just about any other cat that wants to join. Up top there is a walkway for cats who are still feeling a bit to nervous to come down. Some of the feral cats will hang out up there and some of the more friendly ones as well!

There is no shortage of chairs to sit on around here and you won't last long without someone in your lap. Take a seat by the barn style enclosure and grab yourself a kitty/call one over and be in heaven!!!

We continued our way along the property and came to the cateteria. This has got to be the most HAPPENING place in all of the sanctuary!! So. Many. Cats. We stayed in the cateteria for a majority of our time as we were continually greeted by all the cats!! Some you need to be cautious upon approaching as they could have bad eyes or just an overall fear of communication. Every cat there just about was wanting love!!! Talk sweet, get to there levels and be gentle. They will come to you. It started to rain a bit when we were there, so all the cats and humans huddled under the roof!

As you leave the cateteria, you will see to the left a vast open space of greenery. This is where you see a majority of the cats bathing in the sun if they aren't eating or relaxing in the shade. There are cats up high in boxes and baskets, climbing in trees and flowers, getting onto roofs and just about anywhere else you can imagine them!

To the right of the green space is a hold spot for cats who are sick, need to see the vet, or just came back from the vet. They are all SO SWEET when you crouch down and talk to them through the fence. If I could take them home. I would. There are little tunnels running along the fences as well so you will be able to tell you're in the correct spot for the sick and vet fences.

As we left we were met again by Amanda. She talked to us the entire trip and was very helpful. She definitely deserves the roll she does at the sanctuary. We got to go over and see some of the senior cats as well. You can't go in but we were shown around the senior facility and introduced to some of its home residents. I always will have a special spot in my heart for all the senior cats.

If you can, a donation would be GREATLY appreciated!!! We need to spread the love and awareness for the guys! I will be coming back one more time before I leave the islands. I will also be coming back yearly to visit and volunteer. This beats a theme park, a restaurant or any other activity that you think is fun. This is like nothing you've experienced before.

I LOVE THIS PLACE

So, people go to the islands to enjoy, and relax. Even fewer people go to Lanai to unplug and recharge, because Maui is too busy, and active. But there's an even more significant elite minority, and those are people that don't even care about coming to an island, or the weather, or the slow pace of life. It's that people who love cats come from all over the world to visit this island near and island, and this wonderful project that saves feral cats from the native bird people who would have them "eradicated" in the name of saving a different animal. Step in a genius, with a wonderful plan to save both! The native birds being killed by feral cats was a problem that came to a head, and Kathy Carroll came up with this idea of putting the cats somewhere they loved to be, saving these native animals, and poor feral creatures... It's a really amazing story.

Now the wonderful part is that you can visit the sanctuary (please make sure to donate), and you get to see and play with, at last count, 596 rescues! I need to upload some pics, because it was such a joy to see so many happy felines able to do what they love... relax, play, eat, sleep, and be safe and cared for.

I was so surprised this existed... it was not on my radar for my lovely vacation. Once we heard about it, it was a must, and we had the time of our life! You could spend 15 to 20 minutes, but you could also spend hours. For some people, this is cat mecca, and frankly, a wonderful business model to spread to other areas.

So I wouldn't miss this. It's an adorable treat. If you like, and are not...

An outstanding stop on your Hawaiian visit! My wife and I set out from Maui for a day trip to the island, we went specifically for two reasons the world renowned beaches and the cat sanctuary.The workers and volunteers were incredibly friendly, but not quite as friendly as the cats! There are roughly 600 cats currently on the premise however they taken roughly 100 more every year. This is not only to protect the cats but for the avion in population as well. The grounds were incredibly clean in the sanctuary offered everything from a kitten room to a cafeteria for the cats all with appropriate puns included. If you’re missing your dog or cat on vacation or if you’re thinking about getting a cat, this should be a great stop on your vacation. These cats are dying to meet you, honestly there are the friendliest cats I’ve ever met. If you go, or even if youre half a world away, please be sure to donate. The sanctuary is seeking to double in size and I know they can use any volunteer or monetary support they can get.

As far as travel, It is easy enough to get to the island. My wife and I stayed on Maui and took a very nice ferry. It was roughly 45 minutes through some of the most beautiful waters on this planet. On the island, there are a few places to stay and a few food options as well. All the locals are incredibly friendly. My wife and I took a taxi from the ferry and learned about the history of the island from the taxi driver .

If you go, you’ll love it. If you don’t, you’ll be missing out! 600 whiskered friends await...