This Cat Sanctuary in Hawaii Is a South Pacific Purr-adise
The Lanai Cat Sanctuary is home to over 600 previously homeless cats
When Kathy Carroll moved to Lanai, Hawaii 20 years ago from Chicago, she found an island without an animal shelter, rescue group, organized spay program for strays or even a veterinarian. The cat lover wasn’t going to stand for that. Taking matters into her own hands, she founded the Lanai Cat Sanctuary, a paradise for over 600 homeless cats. The sanctuary on the small rural island next to Maui, Hawaii’s second-biggest island, celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2019.
“We designed the sanctuary to replicate the area the cats came from to make it a more comfortable environment, like growing tall native grass to allow them to hide. We wanted to create a playground so appealing that guests will happily roll in the grass with the cats.”
Today, cats frolic under the Hawaiian sun, climb structures and trees, snooze in the shade, and delight in the treats visitors give them at the outdoor sanctuary. Think of it as a cat café, except ginormous (over three acres) and free (donations are welcomed). The cats are…
