Welcome to purr-adise…well certainly fur cat lovers anyway! =^..^=
Lanai is the 6th largest Hawaiian Island sometimes referred to as Pineapple Island because of its past as an island-wide pineapple plantation. With a population of just over 3,000 people, Lanai is a romantic destination of untouched tranquility featuring world-class resorts and distinctly unique attractions.
For feline fans the best part of the island is that it’s home to the Lanai Cat Sanctuary. This 25,000 square foot cage-less sanctuary is home to nearly 500 cats that can roam free and explore at their leisure. People fly in from all over the world just to visit this magical cat-land and cuddle the kitties! How pawsome is that!
The sanctuary’s executive director {Keoni Vaughn} playfully refers to the sanctuary as the “Furr” Seasons! He opened the nonprofit facility in 2008 with the aim of giving homeless Hawaiian cats a safe place to live.
There’s no shortage of cuddle opportunities here!
[clickToTweet tweet=”A cat sanctuary in paradise known as the “Furr” Seasons!” quote=”A cat sanctuary in paradise known as the “Furr” Seasons!”]
The sanctuary is open daily to the public from 10am to 3pm. All the cats are available for adoption (or to foster), and any cat that doesn’t find a home is safe and will spend the rest of its life at the sanctuary.
Cat, cats everywhere! How fun!
Every cat is spayed/neutered, micro-chipped and given a health exam before being introduced to the main population.
This meow-velous cat haven has a dual purpose of protecting endangered indigenous birds. The team focuses on trapping stray and feral cats from bird-sensitive areas and then brings them into the sanctuary. The nest result is a win-win for both native birds and the cats.
The cats are referred to by the sanctuary operators as “Hawaiian Lions.” You’ll understand why by the photos…there are plenty of large huts and trees to climb on, and huge patches of grass on which the cats (aka lions) can sun themselves and attract all the hooman attention they could ever want.
Cats nestling in one of the many trees is a common sight.
We found out that one particularly dedicated man flew all the way from Japan just to hang out with the cats for a day.
What if you can’t afford a trip to Hawaii? No problem — the sanctuary offers an “adopt in place” program that lets cat lovers sponsor or adopt any cat of their choosing.
Here are a few more photos to enjoy!
Sure beats the local petting zoo!
Nap time is anytime.
Got treats?
Come visit us soon!
Photos courtesy of Lanai Cat Sanctuary
Want to help? Contribute to their latest rescue program => Lanai Cat Rescue
This place is amazing!
We need more of these cat-topias! Would like to see some dog-topias also. They all look so happy. What a wonderful place.
Having already explored Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii, I guess a trip to Lanai will be in my next Hawaiian itinerary. I’m particularly partial to tabbies, so this would be heaven for me! Just looking at the photos of this tribe of tabbies got the flow of serotonin and dopamine going . . .
Oh how fabulously wonderful! I would LOVE to live in the sanctuary…I’d help take care of the cats! Just need a little Katrina Cottage placed on the sanctuary property and I’ll be there…seriously!
God Bless you all for what you do to help our winged and whiskers friends!