Such an amazing experience. The folks who work here, the volunteers, and the facility is wonderful. They do an amazing job caring for every cat - from those who are young, spry, and healthy, down to those who are medically fragile and on "quality of life watch". There are 650+ cats on site and YES most are adoptable!! They will ship the kitties to you, also. This is a worthy mission with a fantastic outcome. Not all kitties are friendly or willing to interact, but they give you treats to give the kitties to help them socialize with you. You can also bring wet food treats (the tubes) to feed them and win their love immediately. Haha. We didn't come here for this particular experience but it definitely influenced our decision. Love this! read more

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This place is a cat-lovers dream!!! Nearly 1000 cats to see, play with and feed. The staff was very welcoming and take great care of the cats as well ad the facility. Not going to lie, it was quite a trek to get to, but it was also fun to explore this little island and what life is like for the people on it. We will definitely be back whenever we return to Maui again! read more

Lanai Cat Sanctuary - Animal Shelters Near Me - Lanai City, Hawaii

If you ever find your self on the beautiful island of Lana'i and love cats, you need to make your way to the Lanai Cat Sanctuary. When you think of Lana'i, you normally wouldn't think of a cat sanctuary, but thanks to the Sanctuary's founder and their amazing staff through out the years, there's a home for these lovable cats. I am fortunate to have visited the Sanctuary many times and each time I've enjoyed myself. This current visit, I went with my cousin and her family, who were also visiting from Oahu. There were ample of parking as we were the only ones there. It did pick up though after half an hour into our visit. We were greeted by a very helpful staff member who informed us about the Sanctuary and also gave us mini bags of cat food that we can feed the cats. Also available were homemade cat toys we can use to play with the cats. The Sanctuary consist of my different areas where the cats has plentiful of space and room to roam around. Each area is designated depending on the cat's age. There's an area where all the older cats go, as well as younger cats and adult cats. We visited all areas and I think our favorite area was where all the kupuna cats were. They were so chill and loved being petted and held. Side note: not all cats were as friendly as they are still considered feral cats, so some caution when trying to handle them. All in all, my cousin and her kids enjoyed the Cat Sanctuary. So much that one of them did not want to leave! It is such awesome place to visit if ever on the island and it's mission to save and protect the cats, as well as the island birds, this place definitely deserves a place on this beautiful island of Lana'i! read more

Lanai Cat Sanctuary - Open Daily: 10am - 3pm - Animal Shelters Near Me - Lanai City, Hawaii

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Attention all cat lovers visiting Maui: absolutely plan a day on Lanai, to include the amazing cat sanctuary! Home to literally hundreds of cats from across Maui County, the sanctuary does incredible work to feed, shelter, and care for these beautiful animals. You can sponsor one (or more!) of the cats, and even adopt one if you're smitten during your visit. Most are friendly and will interact with you, especially when you've got a baggie of kitty treats (which the staff provide when you arrive) in your hand. There are toys you can use to play with the cats, who have plenty of cool areas to hide, sleep, play, eat, and just hang out. It's a fun place to relax and get your cat fix while you're away from home. How to do it: book a trip there and back on the ferry, then book the Lanai City shuttle. They will pick you up at the ferry dock, then drive you to the sanctuary. When you're done there, you can take the shuttle back to the dock, or get off in Lanai City for lunch and some exploring...then catch another shuttle from there back to the ferry. You will have a fun and memorable day :) read more

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Wow!!! I can't believe I finally made it to the lanai cat sanctuary. This has been on my bucket list for so long. Lanai cat sanctuary hosts over 800 kitties throughout their enclosures on the property. They have several different enclosures to meet the needs of the sanctuary. The manager of the operation told us she knows close to 300 names of all the kitties. Upon arriving they give each visitor a small Bag of treats complimentary. All of the cats are eager to get pets and treats! I was surprised how friendly and outgoing the cats were on our visit. It was an absolute must stop for us and we can't wait to come back! read more

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Such an amazing non profit organization. Lots of space with even more cats. While we were getting our tour, rundown of the place. She mentioned that they saved about 200 cats from the Lahaina fire! Ugh my heart was melting. Anyway, they'll give each person in your group a bag for treats for the cats. They have one large enclosure. And a few more to the side. One area for the seniors, one for the "teens" one for the cats that need "TLC" so ones that need more medical attention. We got carried away here but I wish we had more time. Loved spending time with all the cats. They're all spayed/neutered and microchipped and they're adoptable! I can't wait to come by again the next time we visit the island. I definitely enjoyed my time here. read more

Full disclosure - I am not a cat person, but I give this place full stars based on their mission and ability to execute. This cat sanctuary came about as a way to protect the bird population by removing the feral cats that would hunt them and eat their eggs. These cats are now housed at this cat sanctuary and have been microchipped, spayed/neutered and are available for adoption. This shelter is super clean, doesn't smell, has lots of activities for the kitties, perches and catwalks, as well as small cathouses for resting. It's an amazing place that all cats would find delightful. They also separate the cats based on their needs, such as age and infirmities - to help the cats in the different enclosures have an environment that is accommodating to the individual cat. They are very thoughtful about their care of all these cats. I enjoyed the "teenager's" enclosure. Quite a bit more energy with these kitties and some were more interested in getting human interaction than eating the kitty food. You won't be able to walk away from this place if you love cats. read more

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This was such an amazing experience! We loved it! The staff is very knowledgeable, very caring of the cats, and they genuinely look happy to be there! They are willing and ready to answer any question anyone might have, and are happy to help! We will definitely be returning soon! This was an unforgettable experience! The cats are awesome!! 10 out of 10, totally recommend!! read more

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We had an amazing time with our toddler during our first visit. The kitties are so sweet and friendly, and they're taken care of so well. What a happy place definitely a bucket list experience for us cat lovers. Make sure to donate to them! read more

Is this paradise? Yes? No? Meow? THIS WAS SIMPLY AMAZING. WOW. Okay so first of all, I love cats. I might be biased, but this was an incredible experience. Also, Lana'i Cat Sanctuary is home to around 700 cats and I'm surprised how well taken care of each and every cat appeared. You'd also think it'd smell quite a bit like poop but it did not!! Of course with any animal you will get a whiff of their poo/pee if you're near the potty area, but considering the amount of cats, it was extremely clean. We were informed each cat was microchipped, had a name, and was neutered/spayed. This was absolutely wonderful to hear how responsible the sanctuary handled their cats! Additionally, sooo many were very well socialized. The minute you walked in, multiple came to greet newcomers with little mews and a whole lot of head bumping. As soon as I sat down, a lap cat snuggled onto my lap and purred. Granted, I was also holding a bag of treats, but even after the treats were finished the lap cat stayed! They had an array of cats, from the classic tabby to midnight black, some calico, and even a ginger. They also had a tuxedo cat that reminded me of our late family cat named Samuel. All-in-all, an awesome experience with a bunch of adoptable fur babies that deserve all the love and pets the world has to offer! read more

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This is HEAVEN ON EARTH!!! There is no charge to go visit. They do ask for donations. On entering, they give you treats to feed all the kitties. There are separate enclosures for the senior kitties , young kitties and special needs kitties. You will want to take them all home with you, I did! You can adopt the cats or sponsor them, donate food or just enjoy . Some follow you around and want love while others just want to bask in the sunshine. They have the cleanest bathrooms you will ever use. This was beyond amazing to experience. There is no smell with how well it is kept. You don't have to love cats to have a wonderful time here.... loving cats just makes it that much better!! read more

The cat sanctuary not only does amazing service for Lāna'i and the cats there, but also for visitors looking to enjoy themselves and relax with the cats. There's so many cats there and they're all really friendly and fun to feed/play with so long as you respect them and give them their space. read more

Lanai Cat Sanctuary - Cat Sanctuary (@miguelmoralesphotography on Instagram) - Animal Shelters Near Me - Lanai City, Hawaii

The actual happiest place on earth! I had wanted to visit for several years and it was even better than I imagined! We spent a few hours at the cat sanctuary and had the best time! There are SO MANY ADORABLE, HAPPY CATS! They are relaxing in cat bungalows and in trees, on every horizontal surface, playing in every hiding spot. We got to visit the cats and feed them treats. I particularly enjoyed meeting the cats in the special needs area and the senior cats. All the cats seemed to be happy and well cared for, and like they were enjoying hanging out in "Purradise." This was a highlight of the trip and well worth the trip over to Lanai! Definitely bring cat treats if you can. We brought some of the tubes of liquid cat treats and they loved them! The people here are doing great work for cats from Lanai and Maui! They have a small gift shop area and options to donate, sponsor a cat, adopt a cat (I wish I could have!), or sponsor and name one of the cat bungalows. read more

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WOW. When planning to go to what we expected to be an animal shelter, we ere pleasantly surprised to see how well these cats are taken care of. The staff that assisted us when we checked in were friendly, informative, and REALLY seemed to care. While it is free to visit, they do offers sponsorship opportunities and sell shirts and sweatshirts to make money - they were SUPER cute! read more

I saw a video of the Lanai Cat Sanctuary a few years ago and it was a must-do on my trip to Maui. This place isn't easy to get to, but I honestly think that's a good thing, because it keeps it from being too crowded with tourists, and it is definitely worth the trek! We were greeted by a staff member who asked us to wash our hands, provide some info about ourselves, then gave us a bag filled with cat treats to feed the kitties! There are three different sections, which you can roam about freely. My favorite was the medium-sized section with the mango tree, where there were 20+ cats sitting throughout different branches, some of which must have been 10ft+ high up there! The cats are almost all friendly, and they were really active when we went (around 1:00pm) and loved the treats we gave them. There were only about 5 or so other groups when we went, so it's definitely pretty intimate. The staff give more details on how the sanctuary works, how it was started, and how donations can help them, so I think it's really important for any and all visitors to give at least a little donation! It is free to visit after all! This is a must do for any cat lover, and getting to the sanctuary ended up being a fun adventure in itself. We took a ferry from Maui, took a shuttle to Lanai City (there will most likely be shuttle drivers waiting at the ferry dock), then rented a Jeep in Lanai City to drive to the sanctuary. I believe the shuttles also go directly to the cat sanctuary if that's all that you're interested in doing on Lanai. read more

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Is this purradise? Yes it is! There is truly something special about the Lana'i Cat Sanctuary. It could be the passion of the manager that was there to welcome us and give us bags of cat food. Or the volunteers that are keeping this place pristine. Or it could be that these cats are just so happy to see you. I grabbed a brush and spent a good twenty minutes brushing the cats in the kupuna sanctuary. Not all these cats are old, some have special diets or need special attention or medication. Nevertheless, this is a feel good, well maintained establishment. The founders own the art gallery in town and they sell a variety of t-shirts that were designed by the founder's husband. I heard so many other visitors sharing how much they missed their cats. If you are on vacation and need some cat love, this is your spot to reconnect! read more

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If you are a cat lover, this is a MUST-DO day trip if you are staying in maui. I found there wasn't much else to do in lanai so I would pay for the cat sanctuary package which handles all needed transport (https://lostonlanai.com/product/lanai-cat-sanctuary-ferry-combination-package/). Once you arrive at the sanctuary you receive a bag of treats and you can meander freely through the section of the cat sanctuary. There are 2 areas for adult cats, 1 for kittens, and 1 for senior cats. The cats are very social and I had a great time. I was impressed by the facility and the cats seem to be thriving. read more

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This was our reason for coming to Lanai and it was for sure a highlight of the trip. About the location, it is quite a ways from the harbor so you will need to take a shuttle or rent a vehicle. We took Rabacca's Shuttle service (and I wrote about that as well on their Yelp page). Get checked in and it is off to feline central. Grounds are well kept, staff is friendly and welcoming, and you are given a small bag of kitty treats. Admission is FREE FREE FREE, which is spectacular considering how everything seems to cost money (and is pricey). Do consider donating, it's how they stay afloat and running. There is cute merchandise available. We picked up a hat and some t-shirts. They even have a section of shirts that are no longer being printed and are just $10 each. Highly recommend this trip, particularly if you are a lover of the kitties. read more

Honestly, this was my favorite part of visiting Hawaii. I had lost my 17yr old kitty just weeks before our vacation and my heart was hurting. I spent a solid 4 hours with all the kitties and it was wonderful. Very clean place for the amount of cats there. They all seemed pretty happy. read more

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The cats are so cute! Many of the cats are very tiny and round. A few cats are shy but most are very friendly and love pets and treats. One of the cats in the senior cat zone found a very cozy spot on our laps and did not want to move. The cats seem to enjoy back scratches and treats. read more

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One of the best places on earth! All the cats are fully adoptable and they have kittens, middle aged kitties as well as seniors. There are over 600 cats at the sanctuary and it's a whole lot of fun. Take a ferry for $30 from Maui and spend the day there. They close at 2, so you want to take either the 630am or 930am ferry to ensure you have enough time to spend there or in Lanai city. They provide you with treats to feed the kitties, but I would definitely suggest bringing your own as well. It was all I could do to not come home with one of the kitties! We were able to grab a shuttle right at the port to get to the sanctuary. As another reviewer mentioned, they have shirts for purchase and some are no longer being printed, so they are discounted. read more

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One of the highlights of my vacation. This is a cat lady's dream! Acres of well cared for cats to feed, pet and play with. They take such good care of the cats so please donate if you can. We had two nights on Lāna'i and visited the sanctuary twice. Don't forget to check out the old cats area and the newer area in the back to make sure all the cats get some love! read more

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There's different areas to discover and explore so make sure to get through all of them. Try to give the seniors more love (not many people go through there!). They give you a bag of treats to hand out to the cats, and will also give you more treats if you ask. Be careful of the cats trying to get out (Ferrari, here's looking at you and how I allowed you to escape twice so you can try to steal food from the seniors). Cats will come up and immediately befriend you. There are more shy cats hiding in trees, grass, back areas etc. Some of these cats have claws and are not afraid to claw! Not aggressively but just wanting attention or food. I bled and learned my lesson Bring cash if you want to donate to the sanctuary. Things to keep in mind if you are doing a day trip: -The Ferry from Maui to Lana'i takes 45 mins. HOWEVER, keep in mind the boats don't leave on time (people are late, loading etc). So factor that buffer travel time -When pre-booking shuttle service (Rebaca's), the shuttle also takes time to load and the shuttle will make different stops on the way there (if you are only doing a day trip this will make a difference since ferries are pre-booked) -You really only need like 1.5-2 hours or so read more

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This cat sanctuary is a MUST SEE if you visit the island of Lanai. We just spent 2 hours with over 600 cats spread out in different enclosures. Many cats are socialized and friendly. We enjoyed hearing about the origins of this place and it's mission to not only help save the bird population but also provide a humane and safe home for the cats that get collected across the island. I highly recommend a visit here, donations if you're inclined, and you can follow them on IG@lanaicatsanctuary.org. read more

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I give the cat sanctuary 5 stars. The santuary Is ocean front. Cats live in several enclosed outdoors areas with plenty of perches and shelter And they looked well cared for. However, unless you plan to do other activities on the island it's not worth the money you pay for the ferry and shuttle ride. to go from lahaina Maui, the ferry cost $69 each way for age 12 and up. Age 2-11 cost $34 each way. The shuttle costs $10 each way for 12 yo and up, the toddler was free. So for our family of four adults and 1 toddler it cost over $700 just for round trip transportation. We donated $40 to the sanctuary when we were there. It's disappointing to as I found out the cat sanctuary doesn't get any of this transportation money. If you're a cat lover, you'd better off saving that money to donate directly to them. while I loved the cats and I am happy they have a nice home and food in their little bellies, I felt guilty for wasting that money that would have gone a long way towards helping the cats. read more

The Lanai Cat Sanctuary is such a lovely, important haven! For those who have cats at home, just keep in mind that these strays are still fairly feral. They're not really used to human touch or affection. They're not going to be as cuddly and sweet as the cats you might meet at a cat cafe or even a shelter. We still loved it, but were a bit surprised. read more

Saw an ad at the Maui Airport for this place and decided we just had to see it. We were not at all disappointed! 786 cats currently housed there, multiple enclosures to segregate older, younger or special needs. Sure, there were a few that didn't want to be petted, but most seemed happy & content. read more

Beautiful place to visit! If you love cats you will be very happy! Make sure and spend time with the Senior cats and other areas! Beautiful grounds and caring staff! read more

Lanai Cat Sanctuary - Animal Shelters Near Me - Lanai City, Hawaii

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Amazing, friendly staff and very well kept facilities. They keep the area clean and it doesn't smell like an animal shelter. Sanctuary is run by donations only. They provide you treats to give to the cats. read more

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My husband and I spent my birthday here and had the Purrrfect time and loved our exPurrience at the cat sanctuary. I admire how passionate and caring the staff are and how well-organized the shelter is. I wish more people would visit and support this wonderful place. It's definitely worth a visit when coming to Lanai read more

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So many cats! It was heaven. There was a shuttle from the harbor that took us straight there. Good stuff! read more

Lanai Cat Sanctuary - Cats! - Animal Shelters Near Me - Lanai City, Hawaii

Even if you are not an animal lover, this place will change your mind! Staff is very friendly and kind. There are over 660+ cats rescued. The cats are friendly and loving. It was fun to see so many different personalities. Please help support this great cause by donating, every dollar counts! read more

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Such an incredible location to check out on the island of Lana'i, and this is literally cat heaven for those who love the felines. I've been to the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum on the other side of paradise in Key West, Florida, where they have their own cats (mostly polydactyl), but the Lana'i Cat Sanctuary has the most cats (at least 300 or something like that?) you will ever find anywhere and they are well taken care of by the staff and volunteers. As long as you are not allergic to cats or don't mind them coming up to you, this is a great place to spend at least 1-2 hours. Best of all, it's free to visit, but the non-profit organization always appreciates donations. They do also adopt out their cats and it is $35.00 though they have to be cleared by the veterinarian (who visits twice a month) before they can be transported to any neighboring islands. This was certainly one of the top highlights of my recent April 2018 visit to Lana'i. Would certainly love to go back with some friends who have a desire to see this location! read more

Loved spending time here. So clean, quiet, serene with amazingly friendly cats! This place is well kept, no smell and cats are adorable!!! Please donate so they continue this great sanctuary for cats as well as humans read more

Lanai Cat Sanctuary - Front area - Animal Shelters Near Me - Lanai City, Hawaii

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Just in case my profile picture didn't give it away, I'm a huge cat person. I had cats growing up and I have two adorable little kitties right now, so when I heard that there was a cat sanctuary near Maui, I knew that I'd be there at some point during my trip. The Lana'i Cat Sanctuary is Actually located on a small island near Maui, so we had to take a ferry and a shuttle bus to get to the place. It wasn't the most fun journey but any and all complaints were rendered moot once we arrived at our destination. After giving an employee our information, we were shown into the cat sanctuary itself and we immediately found ourselves face to face with literally hundreds of cats. If there's a heaven, I really and truly hope it resembles this place. We only spent a couple of hours there but I could've moved in if they would've let me. There are just so many kitties and while some of them are expectedly skittish and wary of people, many will just come right up to you demanding pets and attention. One of the first things I did was sit down on a nearby chair and an adorable tabby immediately ran over and sat on my lap. A couple of other cats hung around either side of me also demanding pets, so I was as content and as happy as I can ever remember being. I spent the remainder of my time there wandering around, meeting new kitties at every turn. And while some of the cats looked a little too sick to really receive my full attention - there was one really unwell cat with, as I soon learned, skin cancer - I was definitely happy to lavish affection on any and all kitties that would accept it. All in all, the Lana'i Cat Sanctuary is and will remain the highlight of this Hawaiian vacation. It's a truly special place. read more

WELL...For the price we paid to take the Ferry, plus lunch, plus donation, plus van ride to the sanctuary..It was ALOT of money. The cats were definitely strays that found themselves a perfect home! It's great that they have such a place for them. But I would say if you are going to make them trip to Lani'i make sure you figure out the other things to do! If you are "just" going to see the sanctuary~was was too much! Ferry was $30 each way per person, Van $10 each way per person, donation((we did $20), lunch $20. But make sure you take LOTS of adorable photos! The cats were all friendly and cute to talk to. read more

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If you find yourself in Maui, or Lanai, absolutely visit the cat sanctuary! Bring a packed lunch and spend the day with these beautiful cats. The cat sanctuary made my trip to Hawaii. Thank you for your incredible work and for protecting the cats of Lanai. read more

Lanai Cat Sanctuary - Animal Shelters Near Me - Lanai City, Hawaii

My husband and I visited the Lana'i Cat Sanctuary yesterday and were pleased to find the cats happy, healthy, well fed and safe!!! There are many cat towers to choose from, "little houses" to rest in, trees to climb and a huge place to roam. Loved our time with them! We will be definite repeat visitors for sure! read more

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This is a definite "must see" if you are on the island of Lanai....if you enjoy cats. 650 cats are here in different caged areas, along with chairs and tables cor feline interactions. The cats are separated by age group, kitten, middle age, and elderly cats. They give you a bag of treats to feed the cats if you like, and this is a nice touch as it makes you very popular with the friendlier cats. Admission is free, tho you can give a donation to help with the sanctuary. Plenty parking is available...and you'll need a bike or car to get here from town or the hotels. read more

Lanai Cat Sanctuary - Welcome sign - Animal Shelters Near Me - Lanai City, Hawaii

All cats should be so lucky to end up here, what an Incredible place to have feral cats!! Each cat seems so happy and certainly not hungry!! I was surprised at how many cats didn't even care about the treats, but just wanted to be loved on and followed us around for the attention. I'm not much of a cat fan because I think they're all kinds of odd and anti social, but these cats were different and made me want to just sit and pet them!! I took a friend over to Lana'i for 5th Friday and to see the cats, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed myself. Take the time to go visit and love on the cats, you will both benefit!!!!!!!! read more

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