Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary

Animal rescue service · Maui County

Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary

Animal rescue service · Maui County

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1 Kaupili Rd, Lanai City, HI 96763

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Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary by null

Highlights

Lanai Cat Sanctuary is a lush island haven where 700+ rescued cats roam, mingle, and charm visitors with free treats and endless purrs.  

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1 Kaupili Rd, Lanai City, HI 96763 Get directions

lanaicatsanctuary.org
@lanaicatsanctuary

Information

Static Map

1 Kaupili Rd, Lanai City, HI 96763 Get directions

+1 808 215 9066
lanaicatsanctuary.org
@lanaicatsanctuary

Features

gender neutral restroom
crowd lgbtq friendly
crowd trans safespace
parking free street
wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Jul 31, 2025

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If you have a few hours, head to this sanctuary for the hundreds of feral cats on the island. Without natural predators, the cat population is humanely managed by this sanctuary. A kitty lover’s dream!

Away from it all in Lana’i
View Postcard for Lanai Cat Sanctuary

Laura Plourde

Google
Spent all day here. As soon as you choose a chair to sit down in, you get 3 or 4 cats climbing all over you looking for treats. Some of them are very friendly, most are a bit skittish. Bring your own lunch, they have picnic tables outside of the cat area. Bathrooms are a portable setup but very clean considering. Cool T-shirts for sale as well.

Rachel Nguyen

Google
Visiting this cat sanctuary is a top 10 lifetime experience for me. My husband and I are avid cat lovers and chose to spend Valentine’s Day here. One of the best we have had so far. The cats are so cute and friendly, letting you pet them, blepping (tongues out) , cute little meows, etc. Upon check in, you get a bag of treats and a wonderful welcome committee. I cannot recommend this place enough for any cat lover traveling to Hawaii. My only regret is that we only spent 1.5 hours here instead of the whole day. Transportation on Lanai can be a bit dicey - so definitely recommend calling ahead for the shuttle service. We did not , since we thought it would be an off time for travel (February), but I think the shuttle just barely had room for us for the day. We plan on returning to Maui for a future trip and will definitely come back to Lanai and the Lanai cat sanctuary for the whole day next time :)

Shelley Ting

Google
There were more than 700 cats there. All the cats were cute and friendly. Some of them came to us for patting and snack. The place was well managed and it was very clean and neat. Staff were very friendly. It was an impressive experience and impressive place.

Arthur Martirosian

Google
Over 700 cats, that were feral at one time. Now they have a large area to roam and greet people interested in their story. Let's be honest, there's not a lot to do on Lanai, this is some place that's both family friendly and can use up an hour of your day.

Aaron Beardslee

Google
If you are visiting the islands, and love cats, the Lanai Cat Sanctuary is a must visit! I had so much fun feeding all the cats bags of treats and seeing all their cute, fuzzy little faces. The city of Lanai is pretty cool too! It's just like Colorado with all the Cook pine trees and mountain backdrop but with a small town vibe. 11/10 Awesomeness!

Carly M

Google
I came here to see the cats and it did not disappoint! When I visited there were over 800 cats wandering around the rescue. It’s clear that the rescue cares deeply about all of them and their wellbeing. They gave us treats for the cats when we walked in and all of the staff members I talked to were very friendly. Definitely a must visit!

Greenleaf Diamonds

Google
Let me just say …Those kitties are adorable and people who are running the sanctuary are very caring and professional.

Maddy L Photo - Maui, HI

Google
Wonderful sanctuary doing such good work. I’ve photographed two weddings here meow and absolutely love it! Cats have such a wonderful space with multiple different enclosures for cats of all varieties. Highly recommend visiting and donating to support 💕
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Peggy H.

Yelp
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 :)
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Shelby-Ann B.

Yelp
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.
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Amelia R.

Yelp
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!
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Karen Z.

Yelp
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!!
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Stormy M.

Yelp
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.

Jim R.

Yelp
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.
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Emily F.

Yelp
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!
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Marie P.

Yelp
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!!
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Miguel M.

Yelp
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.
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Grace L.

Yelp
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.

Nadia N.

Yelp
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
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Robin L.

Yelp
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.
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Randi S.

Yelp
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.
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Divya K.

Yelp
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.
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Andrew R.

Yelp
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.
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Ana F.

Yelp
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.
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Maryann K.

Yelp
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!
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Susan L.

Yelp
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
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susan s.

Yelp
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.
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Leah E.

Yelp
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!
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Mike B.

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

Yelp
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!
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Sheri M.

Yelp
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!
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Jeni O.

Yelp
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
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Tammy L.

Yelp
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.
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Denise O.

Yelp
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!
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Valerie K.

Yelp
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.

Elizabeth H.

Yelp
This sanctuary is a cat lovers dream. I visited twice during my stay on Lanai. The cats are all happy and well cared for. It was very clean and no smells at all, which was surprising given the number of cats. It was very relaxing to be at the sanctuary and hang out with so many kitties. Make sure you bring cash to make a donation and if you can wear pants. The cats have claws and want to sit on your lap. You could also bring a towel just to keep on your lap. I did get a cut on my thigh sitting under the tree by the main entrance when a fruit fell off the tree and spooked the cat on my lap. Don't forget to visit the senior cats and the medically fragile on the other side of the property.
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Danni K.

Yelp
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.
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Paul N.

Yelp
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!
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David N.

Yelp
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.
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Tina H.

Yelp
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.
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AAron M.

Yelp
An amazing experience for any cat lover. If you're visiting Maui, be sure to hop on the ferry in Lahaina and head over to Lanai for a once in a lifetime experience. Over 600 cats vying your love and treats...treats are included with price of admission (which is FREE by the way, so MAKE SURE TO DONATE!) It's a bit of a drive from Manele Harbor but there are plenty of options, all that info is on their website.
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Mr. And Mrs. S.

Yelp
A purrfect day trip from Maui to the Lanai Cat Sanctuary! Pack a picnic and catch the 9 or 10am ferry and prepare to be charmed and loved by the gorgeous felines and the warm hearted staff at the Lanai Cat Sanctuary. My children were absolutely thrilled with our adventure and it will forever remain a precious memory of childhood for them. Be sure to purchase t-shirts and gift items and make a donation while you are there. A truly worthwhile and meaningful day trip. No wonder the Egyptians worshipped cats. The palpable love there gives me hope for humanity. Cat-astic!
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Marisa K.

Yelp
This place was beyond magical. The staff were so friendly and knew so much to share with us. We stayed all day and hungout in purrradise. Definitely make sure you bring your own food or snacks to eat as they only sell drinks at the sanctuary. So many sweet kittens and sweet cats.
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Steve G.

Yelp
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.
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Nina J.

Yelp
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!!!!!!!!
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Ori N.

Yelp
Absolutely amazing. We came here during our trip to Maui and it was one of the best experiences so far! I booked our trip through Lost on Lana'i. The tickets were $85 per person. This includes the ferry from Lahaina to Lana'i Manele harbor, shuttle from Manele to the Cat Sanctuary, and the same route back. There are several time slots you can book and the shuttles run pretty frequently in the case you want to change any of the times you want to depart. The ferry is on a set schedule though so make sure you check in 30 mins in advance at the ferry stand at the Lahaina harbor. The ferry ride is roughly 1 hour depending on the wave conditions. We ended up seeing whales and dolphins on our boat ride which was awesome! My boyfriend gets motion sickness very easily and he got sick on the ride. definitely bring medicine if you get sick easily! We were greeted at the harbor by our shuttles and quickly loaded in to take us to the sanctuary. There is a small general store (basic drinks, snacks, sunscreen) at the harbor. Just ask the driver if you have time to stop by. The drive from the harbor is about 20 minutes. Once we got there, we were signed in and a volunteer gave us some info about the sanctuary. They are a non profit and there is no entrance fee but they really need donations. There are cats EVERYWHERE. It's absolutely insane. We brought a large box of treats with us that we were allowed to feed them but the sanctuary provides treats as well. Most of the cats are social but others hide in the boxes, ladders, baskets, and boards placed all around the sanctuary. There is a FIV+ area as well as a senior cat area and kitten area. The experience was absolutely a must when on Maui. It was great to see so many cats so well taken care of!
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Monica H.

Yelp
Literally have no idea how anyone could visit and not give it 5 stars. We arrived right before it opened and was able to have some more time talking to staff and hanging alone with the cats before more people arrived. I don't think you have to be a cat lover to know it really is a special place. It's so clean, well run and most importantly created with all the different kinds of cats in mind. The staff is open and knowledgeable, they know their names and their little quirks. It's hard to think why a cat would ever want to leave paradise! Make sure to help keep a good thing going - adopt, donate or help buy supplies off Amazon list.

Matthew S.

Yelp
Let's start by saying that the people that work here are saints! This place is absolutely amazing in their quest to feed, house, adapt/adopt, and overall love these kitties. We will visit again, but in the meantime, we will be donating more money & food, blankets, etc. to this noble operation! I suggest you visit them, and you will feel the same!
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Anton E.

Yelp
Adorable place to visit...must have a rental car. It is one of those once-on-a-lifetime visits! Over 500+ cats held here for adoption. They have three basic sections of cats...kittens, adult cats, and senior citizen cats. The senior cats habitat is depressing and sad, as you gaze upon death looming over these guys. Some are just walking bones. Not to be cruel! There are other sectioned off areas for cats with various diseases, which they are separated so they don't infect other cats. The cats were placed here because the wild cats on the island kept attacking protected birds on the island. Trappers use to capture these cats in cage traps and then shoot them on sight. So, this sanctuary was created to protect the orphaned cat population.
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Allen T.

Yelp
We were staying in Maui and took the 9:15am Lanai Ferry from Lahaina to Manele Harbor in Lanai, arriving just after 10am. Waiting at the harbor was a driver from the Lanai shuttle service waiting to drive passengers to Lanai destinations for $10/person. As it turns out, 6 out of the 8 passengers riding in the shuttle were also going to the Cat Sanctuary! After a quick stop in Lanai City, we arrived at the Cat Sanctuary at 11am, and we made arrangements for the driver to pick us up again at 12:45 in order to make it back to Manele Harbor for the 2pm ferry back to Maui. When we arrived at the cat sanctuary, we were given a tour by a very friendly young lady who seemed to know all of the cats names and stories. Many of the cats were very friendly and were waiting by the front gate for visitors. Many of the cats enjoyed being petted, and a few even wanted to be picked up and held. An exceptionally friendly cat named Azzure climbed up on my shoulder and enjoyed going for a ride as I walked around the sanctuary. We had brought a few bags of cat treats with us from Maui, and they were extremely popular with the cats, with at least 40 cats swarming around us when they figured out that we had treats. We had a very fun time playing with the cats when we visited, and they certainly seemed to enjoy our company. When we left, we noticed that a dozen or so cats were waiting by the front door hoping for more visitors. Definitely a must visit if you like the idea of visiting more than 500 cats.
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Marcia K.

Yelp
This is what we needed. The staff was friendly and awe were able to give a lot of love to the cats. We recently lost out fur baby and this was exactly what our son needed. Kitty love. Purradise! Thank you for this!!!
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Jennifer N.

Yelp
This amazing sanctuary houses over 600 kitties that protects both them and native rare bird species on the island of Lanai. If you're staying in Maui, you can take the ferry to the Lanai harbor and then the Lanai City Shuttle can take you to the sanctuary. I had booked in advance through Lost in Lanai and it included the ferry and shuttle back and forth to the sanctuary-very easy to do online and they handled all the details. As for the sanctuary itself, it's free to visit but donations are welcome. They also sell shirts and cold beverages (credit cards accepted.) When you enter the property, they will take you on a short tour. Groups of cats will immediately run up to greet you and solicit pets and/or treats. The layout of this place is quite impressive-basically a kitty dream come true. The true beauty of it, though, is that while they have fresh air and room to roam, they are not living a feral life of danger or disease. A vet regularly checks them and they are secure on the sprawling property (enclosed sanctuary but plenty of room to run, rest, play or hide.) There are wooden kitty barns, kitty condos, baskets up in the trees and plenty of food, water and toys for them to play with. Sitting on that grassy hillside, a cool breeze blowing through and a steady stream of cats climbing on my lap was a perfect way to spend the afternoon. Some cats will run right up to you, others will hide and many will play coy but will grudgingly lean in to some chin rubs. Truly a cat lovers dream and the work this sanctuary does is quite remarkable. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for regular doses of cuteness and, oh by a shirt, definitely buy the shirt from them.
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Jean C.

Yelp
My husband and I just visited this delightful place yesterday. We had a wonderful 1.5 hours spending time with the cats and one of the caretakers. The cats are in a beautiful environment and are extremely well cared for. We took treats with us but they had them available if a guest hadn't brought any. We truly hated to leave - the kitties are so loving and affectionate. Definitely worth the trip to Lana'i!!
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Sara L.

Yelp
This is heaven for cats lover and animal lover! They can even held weddings here! It's the peak of my trip! Nothing can go wrong when hanging out with 630 cats!!!
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Ivy V.

Yelp
I love love love this place! Can't wait to go back! There's cats every where! Well kept sanctuary, the staff and volunteers really takes great care not only the cats but also the whole sanctuary. Very clean, a nice environment to hang out and relax with these lucky felines!

Sean S.

Yelp
This might seem skeptical since every review is 5 stars. It IS NOT a scam!!! The sanctuary is amazing. The island and staff has done such a great job in providing a beautiful home for all the cats. Plenty of food, healthy cats, and shelters. Not all the cats are social, and that's fine. There's over 600 that you can interact with! tough getting there, but highly recommend Albertas private mini van! very nice and knowledgable. Fair Is $100 for sanctuary and town round trip. She allows split parties if all have been vaccinated and agree to share with one another.
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Lex S.

Yelp
I am a crazy cat lady and this was truly one of THE best experiences of my life lol. This has been on my to do list for some time now and I couldn't be happier that I finally made it out! I was visiting Oahu and decided to go to Lana'i for the day. But the easiest way to get here would be to visit Maui and take the ferry. Got here right when they opened and were the first ones there. We were greeted by many wonderful kitty caretakers and almost 600 friendly felines! Amanda gave us the tour and she was absolutely lovely! She showed us around and gave us lots of info about the sanctuary and the cats. All of them have names and she knows them all by name. You can tell the cats are extremely well cared for. There were cats everywhereeee (obviously). Ranging from four months to 18 years old. They all come up to you and are so excited for pets! I brought treats with me and that attracted them even more. Basically a super awesome, life changing place if you're crazy about cats! They accept donations and they have awesome, comfortable shirts to buy for $20! Definitely gonna try to come back and visit a few times a year. If you can't make it out, they have a wishlist on Amazon :)