We’re in a difficult situation and help is needed right now. If you love cats like we do and have any spare change, your donation will especially help out. We’ve been taking care of dozens of cats here at our home in the tropical rainforest of Hana, on the island of Maui, Hawaii.

Five of them live indoors, but the rest are outdoors. Some were born on our property or in the dense jungle surrounding us. After the Lahaina fires numerous adult cats were dropped off because their owners had to move and couldn’t take their kitties. We don’t turn away the cats – and the colony keeps growing. We’ve found homes for many of them, and our friends know there is a standing offer to adopt a cat or kittens.

We treat the sick ones, but, unfortunately, our Hana vet passed away shortly after COVID hit, so it’s not unusual for us to drive to the other side of the island for emergency vet services. It’s 2-1/2 hours each way. Cleaning up their eyes, fixing their wounds and providing them with vitamins is a constant, but rewarding job. Knowing and seeing that we’ve been a part of their healing process is very special. Earlier this year, the Humane Society helped to spay/neuter/vaccinate/chip, but there are many more to be cared for. We’d much prefer to take every one of them to our veterinarian for their spaying or neutering, but it is cost prohibitive at this time. Maybe you would like to name and adopt a kitten?

Cat food alone is expensive, and the daily feeding is costing us more than we have, especially with the lack of tourism and fearful economy. Every donation counts. Even a $10 donation will help buy a bag of food. Many of the outdoor cats live on our front lanai in Amazon delivery boxes positioned under a large table and patio umbrella. We will be repurposing a former chicken coop to house more cats and give them a safe sanctuary in the near future.

Sometimes, emergencies require a trip to the distant vet. You might remember our posts about lovable Larry. An orange kitten that we named Larry was found near the house, after he’d been missing for over a day, during a rainstorm. He was injured, couldn’t move, and was shaking and dehydrated. We took him inside and fed him water and kitten food through an eyedropper. One leg appeared to be broken. The next day we drove him to a vet on the other side of the island, where they diagnosed him as having a leg fracture. Because of his young age (probably six weeks old), they suggested it might be best to see if the fracture would heal on its own. We purchased a large pet cage from Walmart to set up in our living room.

Midnight and Cagney (two of our indoor cats) quickly formed a bond with the patient. After about a month, Larry’s recovery seemed to be progressing well until we noticed rapid breathing. Another journey to the distant vet. X-rays showed a problem with his diaphragm, necessitating emergency surgery, which was too much for his little body to take. Larry passed away on the operating table. It’s hard to even talk about Larry because we were all so attached to him, even our Vet. The next day we buried him in a corner of the property during a short ceremony attended by two of our outside cats, Buttons and Tiny and several ferals watching from the edge of the jungle, as well as our inside cats watching from the windows. The whole experience was traumatic….. and costly. Vet bills alone were over $2500 and we’re still paying on the CareCredit bill.

Breakfast and dinner feedings are a major event. Cats and kittens begin arriving about an hour before regular feeding times. As soon as they hear the front door handle rattle, they quickly jostle each other for a prime space. The small kittens are fearless, pushing their tiny heads through whatever opening they can find. And the purring at mealtime is a sweet healing sensation.

Cat food alone runs about $600+ per month. Much is ordered on Amazon and delivered to our local post office. We also pick up cat food from Walmart and Costco when traveling to the other side. Vitamins, supplements, flea treatments, and worming medication add to the monthly cost, much more than we make in this economy.

And we can’t forget the ever popular cat treats. Each afternoon we sit down outside to pass out their favorite “cookies”. Even the most skittish kitties have no problem coming up to us for their share.

Anything you can share will help and will be greatly appreciated and please know that every donation ever received for this endeavor has gone to the cats. It’s an ongoing obligation to continue to care for the cat colonies. Thank you for reading this and considering a donation. May you always be blessed.

About us: We moved to Maui from NYC in 1991. Both of us were in media and marketing for over 40 years. We’ve always taken in stray cats and kittens and gotten them the medical attention they needed, but the local colonies have grown and we need some help.

Every contribution supports the kitty community welfare and health. Mahalo for helping to make a positive difference in their lives.