Following deadly fires in the city of Lahaina, 92 Maui cats and kittens took a flight to Portland, Oregon. When the fires came, these kitties were fortunately already safe at the Maui Humane Society. Flying them all out allows the Hawaiian rescuers to focus on upward of 3,000 traumatized and injured animals separated from their families. It also helps efforts to reunite lost pets with their families. Each reunion brings a much-needed morale boost and hope to the entire community.
However, it will take time, perseverance, resources, skill, and aloha (love and affection) to help so many animals and their families in Maui. Sadly, many pets were caught in the flames, like a kitty they named Ho’omau, which means “to persevere.” Covered in burns, Ho’omau will need intensive specialized care for months.
Saving these animals requires extraordinary measures, and wonderfully, that’s what’s happening now!
Images via Oregon Humane Society and Facebook
92 Maui Cats Fly to Safety in Portland, Oregon
On August 18, Greater Good Charities partnered with the Oregon Humane Society and booked all 92 cats a flight on Southwest Airlines. The cats are the first large-scale rescue for the new Behavior and Rescue Center designed for animals in peril.
At the center, the Maui cats will receive top-notch care and lots of love as they prepare for new lives in Oregon.
We love how excited this kind rescuer is to receive the precious cargo from Hawaii!
“We are proud to lend a helping hand to our partners during large-scale disasters. These lifesaving rescues are possible because of our supporters,👏” the Oregon Humane Society shared.
It took many hands to carry all 92 Maui cats to their destination.
Most of these cats and kittens will be available for adoption in the Portland area. Meanwhile, the dogs traveled to shelters further south in California.
“Our hearts go out to the pets and people of Maui who’ve been affected by these devastating fires. OHS is honored to be able to transfer these shelter cats, freeing up critical kennel space for displaced or lost pets on the island,” they shared.
Video via Instagram/Oregon Humane Society
Adult Maui Cats Jennifurrr and Ava
While the adorable kittens are usually the first to find homes, adult cats tend to have longer waits. But adult cats are purrfect companions for quieter homes where wild kitten energy can be overwhelming. For example, here are two Maui cats looking for their humans in Portland.
“Meet Jennifurrr and Ava ❤ Two of the cats from Maui Humane Society who were already in the shelter and looking for a home before the wildfires. They are among the 92 cats and kittens who were moved off the Island to make room for lost and injured animals and to help reunite people with their pets,” they shared.
To see how you can adopt or donate to help the Maui cats, you can see more on the Oregon Humane Society’s website, Facebook, and Instagram. It’s the purrfect time to offer aloha and adopt a Maui cat in Portland or make an emergency gift on their website.
Likewise, the Maui Humane Society will need every penny to help the animals recover from the fires. You can see more in our previous article. Please be sure to only donate to their official websites to avoid ever-present scammers.
