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    Lanai Cat Sanctuary

    5.0 (158 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Services - Lanai Cat Sanctuary

    Animal shelters

    Lanai Cat Sanctuary Photos

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    Peggy H.

    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 :)

    Amelia R.

    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!

    Stormy M.

    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.

    Karen Z.

    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!!

    Emily F.

    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!

    Cat Sanctuary (@miguelmoralesphotography on Instagram)
    Miguel M.

    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.

    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.

    Andrew R.

    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.

    Leah E.

    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!

    Shipwreck, he loved being held
    Divya K.

    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.

    Robin L.

    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.

    Cat
    Randi S.

    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.

    Valerie K.

    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.

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Lanai Cat Sanctuary

    How long is enough to explore?

    We planned on staying from 11a-4p or closing but we found that by 2pm we were exhausted from the pure emotion of this magical place. We also were going back to Maui on the ferry. Remember to bring treats for the kitties and ensure to visit the… Read more

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    Review Highlights - Lanai Cat Sanctuary

    You don't have to be a crazy cat lover to enjoy it either, there will be tons of cats wanting your attention.

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    Leilani Farm Sanctuary - Farm

    Leilani Farm Sanctuary

    (48 reviews)

    We had a wonderful visit here today. Lauralee was a great guide & shared her beautiful space &…read moreanimals with our group. We had plenty of time & interactions with the goats, cats, pigs, guinea pigs, chickens, roosters & guinea pigs. She helped us to know them as individuals where we saw their little & big personalities. For instance, Matthew, the Turkey, is super cuddly & likes hugs. Henry, the tuxedo cat, also likes to be carried. The property is lovely, a true paradise with blooming plants. She takes volunteers on some days each week, but the admission fee was well worth the time & the cause. This is a great spot for all ages to visit. We stopped at Paia on the way there & back too, so pick up a snack or some kitschy or artsy store time on the way.

    The first word that comes to mind is magical. This is a place for rescued farm (mostly) animals who…read morehave been abused in another life. Here they will only know love, safety, and kindness. There are lots of farm animals in addition to Guinea pigs and cats. It seems the only life mission of the cats is to greet and love the visitors. There are several large tortoises and they love to be brushed! I had no idea they have so much feeling in their shells. They will even fall asleep during brushing! The animals are very cuddly, and even the turkey loves to be held. This visit may be the highlight of my year, and I am fortunate to have many highlights. Laurelee is a treasure.

    Maui Humane Society - Sand + shade make for a nice kennel break!

    Maui Humane Society

    (60 reviews)

    A friend and I decided to have an adventure with a MHS doggo. An afternoon walking on the beach,…read moresnoozing in the sand, enjoying the quiet and the sun, and having a bite of Mexican food and a pup cup before returning to the noisy and overcrowded shelter. Our doggo for the day was JT, a smaller black pitbull mix, who turned out to be a real gentleman. JT was happy to join us in our adventure, jumping into the SUV like a pro with a stuffy in his mouth and a wag in his tail, which matched our vibe exactly :) He was such a good boi at the restaurant, ignored the chickens begging from us and took a quick nap under a chair, waiting for a shrimp or a morsel of chicken to be offered from the gods. JT jumped for joy when he exited the car and smelled the sea air, life is good! We had a leisurely stroll along the sands, then he plonked himself down in the shade of a tree to destroy a tennis ball, then sploot out and have a nice snooze with a sandy nose and a smile on his furry face. We gave him a good hour, as it must have been a nice break from the noise of the shelter, with the trade winds gently cooling him and the murmur of the waves in the background. Once he woke up he was ready for the next part of the journey.....a pup cup from Starbucks :) In and out of the SUV like the pro he is, he waited patiently at the outdoor table with our friend while I sourced the pup cup. He wasn't sure for a second what it was then after his first lick he became a connoisseur of pup cups with a creamy smile and a glint in his eye. After a lot of lip licking and grooming we realised it was time to return him to the shelter. Once there he gave us a downward dog bow of thanks and he was off to his hopefully temporary home at MHS. What an adventure for all of us, and so enjoyable! If you have time to take a MHS dog out for the afternoon (12 noon pickup, 4pm dropoff), please, go on an adventure and give them a pup cup and some beach freedom, go jogging with them, take them on a drive and let them sniff the smells of Maui, give them a mini vacation. MHS provide a backpack with everything your doggo will need, blankie, stuffie, chew toy, treats, water and bowl, a safety belt addition for your car. All you have to do is provide a vehicle, time and fun! JT was a lovely boi, very well behaved, and he was a good example of a MHS dog. Unfortunately black dogs are the last dogs in the shelters to be adopted, I know I adopted one myself (I have 2 rescue bois at home), so hopefully there is someone out there waiting to meet JT and see what a fantastic doggo he is....could it be you? Why not spend some time with a MHS doggo and find out?

    Really bummed to leave a 1-star review, but this is based on mine and my husband's recent…read moreexperience. We've been coming to the Humane Society for as long as we can remember and never had issues until this visit. Service: When we walked in, we were greeted, but the lady at the front demanded we sign in. Normally we don't have to because we're just in and out to visit the animals. We love animals, but we can't adopt yet due to our living situation. We signed in online, but honestly, we've never had to do that at any other location even on Oahu. We went to visit the dogs first - the facility there was clean. But when we got to the cat house, the smell was horrible. We've been coming here for years, and it has never smelled that bad before. Opening the cat house door was like getting smacked in the face with a strong, unpleasant odor. As we were looking at the kittens (and we always sanitize in between touching them), a lady wearing a mask walked up and asked, "Are you visiting the animals or adopting today?" We told her we were just visiting, and she walked away. I was barely even touching a kitten's paw through the cage when she suddenly said, "MAKE SURE YOU SANITIZE YOUR HANDS IN BETWEEN!" I told her, "Yeah, I know." There were plenty of other people around us, but she only told us that. We moved to look at more kittens, and even though we had already sanitized, she came up behind us again saying, "MAKE SURE YOU SANITIZE IN BETWEEN TOUCHING THEM." My husband and I looked at each other thinking, what the heck? It felt so uncalled for, especially because she was only talking to us. For context, my husband and I were the only local Hawaiian couple there. Everyone else was Haole, including her. She wasn't telling any of them to sanitize, just us. Honestly, it felt kinda racist. We were minding our own business, doing everything right, and she kept targeting us for no reason. We probably won't come back until we're ready to adopt - and even then, maybe not. I don't see what's wrong with visiting and showing love to the animals. We left feeling really disappointed and uncomfortable.

    West Hawaii Humane Society - Vet Tech, Rhanie checking Phoebe in for her spay surgery

    West Hawaii Humane Society

    (2 reviews)

    This is such a beautiful place!! I absolutely love that they upgraded from the old shelter to this…read morenew and improved spacious land. The dogs look so much happier and they get more room to play. It's so cute looking at the bunnies inside too! When you get here, make sure you sign in and read the house rules. Adopt don't shop!

    If you all haven't seen the new Humane Society campus, it's so impressive…read more Humane Society is my hero! With less income than I used to have, and wanting to spay my female dog, to ensure no more puppies, I wanted to do the responsible thing. My Vet wanted around $500, which I just couldn't afford. Humane Society to the rescue! For a $50 donation, I could get our fur baby, Phoebe, spayed. I was able to donate more than $50, but was so grateful for the fabulous, caring, professional services. Spay coordinators Rhanie and Aimee, took care of all the details, and were so professional, responsive, warm and caring. They tenderly cradled our shaking dog, before and after surgery. All the staff and volunteers were truly fabulous. And the Humane Society campus is so beautiful...from the dog parks to the Welcome and Education Center. It was exciting to see the hospital, under construction, too. Our Humane Society provides so many great services, and I am proud to be a supporter! Phoebe is now resting comfortably. I found this belly protector on Amazon, so she doesnt need to wear an uncomfortable cone collar, to keep her from licking her incision. Our last fur baby, Bodhi, will get neutered when he is 8 or 9 months old, after hormones allow for bone development. :)

    Hawai'i Dog Foundation - LeeAnn, Jacquie, & Kay- HDF Board Members and volunteers featuring Santapaws!

    Hawai'i Dog Foundation

    (18 reviews)

    Completely filled out an application for adoption meet and greet. I called, left messages and even…read moretexted them. Waited weeks. NO RESPONSE. What a crock. I totally regret completing the form. Do not complete the application form! There is no telling how/if they manage privacy and cyber security! NO KILL Oahu SPCA is VERY responsive and provides all the information they have on any available dogs. I drove out to their clinic tp pick up a foster and there were droves of people waiting to get their pets spayed/neutered as well as adopt. I was happy to donate a ton of supplies to Oahu SPCA because I can see it will go to good use. I am happy to say I helped get the foster adopted!

    I have read through the reviews and my heart goes out to this organization and bless them for…read moremaking the right decision. Its not easy to say no but it is on occasion the right thing to do for the soul they've been caring for on their own time and they do know what's best for him or her because of their time with them and the circumstances that landed them there. Granted not everyone is in a place in their life to understand what it takes to do what you do and how you do it... but we must accept a no now and again, we all do... its okay, sometimes we don't see the path, actually most of the time we don't, keeps life annoying, frustrating and interesting! I was involved in rescue before cell phones no less, on the big island taking in abused & broken dogs from veterinarians and the humane society to heal, socialize & foster til a good home was vetted... I did require those adopting to pay the humane society for the dog ensuring it was legal, licensed with a certificate for spay or neuter if still needed and we followed up on that having had them sign a contract to that effect. I always tried to do it before placing them and we always turned the new owners on to the vet that knew the dogs history. I still have a little album with polaroid's of most of them lol. Funny how more often than not, they picked their Owner. A memorable red haired man in a red truck was immediately approached by our red pittie that already had her 12 puppies adopted went straight up to him, sat and stared til he said she's the one lol. He spoiled her rotten, he was a professor at the university and a brilliant humble soul himself. She was suppose to be euthanized because they didn't allow pregnant dogs at the humane society....she was (one of many} we snuck out the back door lol So bless all of your wonderful volunteers and fosters, may you folks continue the good work and I tip my pāpale to your ability to keep your heart in one piece, you've obviously already earned your wings... human-angels every last one of you. E Malama Pono

    Hawaii Island Humane Society

    Hawaii Island Humane Society

    (14 reviews)

    After doing the shelter dog field trip in Kauai, I was happy to learn that they had a similar…read moreprogram on Big Island. We were able to book a 9:30 am Sat appointment online and it was nice they had us answer some questions to pair us up with a dog. You can also see which dogs are available to be taken out for a field trip from their website, since they have a filter option. At their brief orientation they'll give you a pamphlet with suggestions on where to visit, but they are all mostly taken from the Lava Dogs Hawaii site if you want to plan ahead. There are also some suggestions on dog friendly places to eat. They'll also provide a backpack with all the supplies for the day - some food, water bowl, water, towel, toys, poop bag, etc. All dogs will have a leash and a bandanna advertising for adoption, and the shelter will provide a seat belt for the dog to use in the car. The only catch is that you have to bring the dog back before 4 pm. We got paired with Riley, a roughly 4-year old girl who was a former stray. Riley was a bundle of energy and a great hiking buddy! My fiance isn't much of a dog person but really warmed up to Riley (and even ran with her on the beach). You don't really feel exhausted when you have a dog buddy to hike with. I would caution you'll want to keep an eye on where you take the dogs so they don't overheat, also because the hot lava rocks can be rough on their paws. Although Kaloko-Honokohau National Park is dog friendly, the guide at the visitor center suggested we take the trail head at the harbor to explore Honokohau Beach and the Ai'Opio Fish Trap due to heat concerns (dogs have passed out on the trails through the lava rock fields). I hope the sweet girl gets adopted - they do have programs set up for folks from the mainland to adopt. If your island accommodation is dog friendly, they even have a program set up to let you have a shelter dog stay overnight. Totally recommend looking into taking out a shelter dog, and be sure to book an appointment online and research (I suspect Story C. didn't do this, hence the 1-star review).

    The facility is incredible and the volunteers so kind and gentle with the animals. I know that my…read morelittle kittens will be well cared for until adoption and they will go to good loving homes because of the extensive screening that will be done on the potential new owners. Thank you HIHS.

    Hawaii Animal Sanctuary - Christmas village display

    Hawaii Animal Sanctuary

    (10 reviews)

    I saw an online ad for a rummage sale benefiting this place and it excited us all to go. It was a…read morevery mixed visit to say the least. The Hawaii Animal Sanctuary isn't what you'd think; it's mostly a safe zone for feral cats. The smell is immediately noticeable when you get out of the car: feline feces. The hot day we were there just made it worse the longer we stayed. The coolest part of this place is that the property owns a number of World War II era tunnels. They were used for munition and food storage before being decommissioned. Now the sanctuary uses them for large rummage sales to raise money for the property. The tunnels smell old; they're humid and a bit uncomfortable for people bothered by that type of climate. They offer $5 historic tours with a guide at noted times, so be sure to be there early if you're interested. Now for the unpleasant things. We brought our dog along and I felt unwelcome. I was so confused due to the name. Asking about the makeup of the animals they care for (as stated above) it's only cats. After we did our shopping, the dog and I waited outside. It was unbearably hot in the sun. We waited under the tarp area and were quickly met with fire ants biting our feet. Going under the trees, the smell was even worse, and immediately our feet were covered with flies. They were unrelenting. It was then we headed back in to the tunnel - I'd much rather deal with humidity than filth. In come the volunteers. I was reprimanded and rudely talked to on more than one occasion while I was minding my own business. No details are necessary, only they were "yelling" at the wrong person. It really turned me off to wanting to come back or bring others here. I'm unsure about their mission even less so when rudeness is all I experienced; outside of the stench that is.

    My wife and I decided to tour the bunker tunnels at the Hawaii Animal Sanctuary in Aikahi on a…read moreSaturday in July at 11:00. First, the parking is very limited and you might have park a block away or so in the residential neighborhood. If you park outside, be aware that there is a very long and very steep driveway that you would have to walk up to get to the bunkers. Be prepared for a long hot tour if you go during the summer like we did. Bring water to hydrate and make sure you use the restroom just before you arrive because there is no public restroom. The fee for the tour is only $5 and $3 for children. Unfortunately our 11:00 tour was very large with about 70 people attending. So, as we enter the bunker we crowd together so we can listen to the tour guide but the air gets warmer because of everyone's body heat so you start perspiring from the start. The tunnels add to the acoustics so that with a large crowd you can hear everyone talking which makes it hard to hear the narration. People started shushing others but that only made them talk softer which really didn't help because their voices still can be heard in the tunnels. They say that the 1:00 tour is the least crowded so that might be the best option if you want to go. After the first half hour we gave up. We were dripping with sweat and frustrated because we couldn't hear the narration so we cut our losses and left. What history we did manage to hear was very interesting so I may return when the weather cools. There is also a thrift shop in the bunker where everything they sell is really cheap. My wife managed to find a few items and it only cost her $5. All proceeds go the the animal shelter so your money goes to a good cause.

    Lanai Cat Sanctuary - animalshelters - Updated June 2026

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