The Lanai Cat Sanctuary - A Haven for Cats & Those Who Love Them
Are you a cat lover? Then, you must check out a kitty paradise on your next visit to Maui.
The Lanai Cat Sanctuary is the happy home of nearly 600 cats of various colors, shapes, and sizes. The Sanctuary is located on the Hawaiian island of Lanai, a short ferry ride from Maui.
Born Out of Need
The Lanai Cat Sanctuary was founded by Lanai resident and cat lover Kathy Carroll.
According to my friendly shuttle driver, who took me from the harbor to the Sanctuary for $10, the cats used to help control the rat population back when Lanai was a leading producer of pineapple. It seems that rats enjoy munching on sweet pineapple stems. The island stopped producing the fruit years ago, the rat population declined, but the cats remained - so the story goes. Also, the island's Ua'u, native flightless birds, were sitting ducks for these cute little predators.
Enter Kathy. With no vet, animal shelter, or system to take care of the many feral cats that called the island home, Kathy organized a sterilization and housing program. In doing so, she helped take care of her beloved cats and the Ua'u. Thus, the Sanctuary was driven by a desire to protect native species as much as by kitty love.
Because of her efforts, in a little over a decade, Lanai has gone from having no shelter to having a stable home for cats that provides lifelong housing, medical care, and much-needed TLC. The Sanctuary has also become a source of tourist revenue, as visitors come to visit and spend the day and dollars on the island.
The Lanai Cat Sanctuary - A Happy Place
Spanning over 25,000 square feet, the Lanai Cat Sanctuary provides shelter, food, and a playground for the lions of Lanai. Shade trees, kitty condos, obstacle courses, and feline buffets fill the temperate home of these playful tabbies.
Guests of the Sanctuary will enjoy the laid-back style and the ability to interact with these happy felines.
The operators of the facility could not be more friendly and enthusiastic. For them, it's truly a labor of love. They know most of the kitties by name and understand their unique personalities. Depending on the time of day, they may give you a box of treats to shake and distribute during your stay – it's amazing to see them all come charging when they hear the rattle of the kibbles!
For formerly feral cats, they are surprisingly friendly, the result of having been exposed to so many visitors. On a recent visit to the Sanctuary, we were told one man traveled all the way from Japan just to spend six hours with them. The Lanai Cat Sanctuary has even hosted a wedding...now that's what you call "cat fancy!"
The Lanai Cat Sanctuary is a Nonprofit 501c3 Charity
In 2009, the Sanctuary became a nonprofit charity and relocated to a new and better plot of land with access to running water. The main goal: protect cats and endangered birds, and provide a haven for cat lovers!
In 2014, executive director Keoni Vaughn made plans for an expansion that would include a medical system and a high-tech mobile veterinary clinic.
Teams were recruited from Oahu and other Hawaiian islands, and over the last few years, the Lanai Cat Sanctuary has expanded to host a cat-family number of nearly 600. The goal is to eliminate cat overpopulation on Lanai, and they continue to rescue cats from protected areas where native endangered birds nest.
The staff at Lanai Cat Sanctuary believe that cats deserve the highest quality of life possible. Those who are not able to cuddle the cats in person can still make tax-deductible donations via their website http://lanaicatsanctuary.org/. You can also purchase a snazzy T-shirt there.
Open 365 days a year from 10 am to 3 pm, the Lanai Cat Sanctuary is a great little spot for a family outing. No appointment is required, and groups of any size can stop by for a visit. Bring along a snack and something to drink, and enjoy a fun day full of purring and playing! If you really fall in love, you can even discuss adoption!
Getting to The Lanai Cat Sanctuary - Expeditions Ferry Service
Getting to Lanai is easy from Maui.
Expeditions offers scheduled ferry service to Lanai from Maalaea Harbor, conveniently located between West and South Maui.
Check out the daily schedule and make reservations on the Expeditions website.
The crossing takes around one hour, and during whale season, from November to April, you may even enjoy the spectacle of breaching whales on the journey. The price is $30 each way for adults and $20 for children (2 - 11); active military and IATA Card-holding travel professionals enjoy discounts. Tickets may be purchased on a walk-up basis, but we advise that you reserve ahead of your visit just to be safe.
You arrive at the port in Lanai. The Lanai Cat Sanctuary is located on the plateau in the center of the island. Lanai City, where most of Lanai's 3,500 residents live, is at 1,600 ft., so it can be pleasantly cool. The Sanctuary is located about two miles from town, near the airport. The Lanai shuttle service will charge you $10 per person each way to go from the port to Lanai City or the Sanctuary.
Lanai City has a gallery, shops, and restaurants, and there is accommodation for those who want to spend a night or two on the island. The Four Seasons operates a luxurious hotel on the shoreline near the harbor.
While Lanai may not be the most traveled Hawaiian island, it is preferred by many billionaires, perhaps for its remote feel. Larry Ellison of Oracle fame purchased most of Kauai some time back and has invested significant resources into the few resorts.
Visitors are encouraged to leave a tax-deductible donation to help the Sanctuary continue its rescue work and provide life-long care for the cats.
If you like cats, we encourage you to visit Lanai and the Lanai Cat Sanctuary.
You'll be able to play with lots of happy cats and check off a visit to one of the lesser-known Hawaiian islands. Who knows, your next kitty may be waiting for you here at the Sanctuary!
