The Lanai Cat Sanctuary on the Hawaiian island of Lanai is a unique four-acre open-air refuge home to over 700 cats, created to protect both the feral feline population and the island’s vulnerable native bird species. Founded by Kathy Carroll in response to the island’s growing number of unsheltered cats and the threat they posed to endangered birds like the Hawaiian petrel, the sanctuary evolved from an old horse corral into a well-maintained haven with specialized enclosures for cats of different needs. The sanctuary operates on donations, feeding the cats daily and providing a safe environment that reduces roaming cats, thereby protecting native birds from predation.

Beyond its conservation mission, the sanctuary also focuses on socializing feral cats to prepare them for adoption, facilitating 50 to 100 adoptions annually, with some cats finding homes as far away as New York and Florida. It welcomes over 12,000 visitors each year, offering a cat-lover’s paradise where guests can interact with the cats, many of whom seek affection and treats. The sanctuary also serves as a community hub, hosting events such as weddings, and recently aided in rescuing cats displaced by a wildfire on Maui, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to animal welfare and ecological balance.