Maui sends dozens of cats to Washington animal shelters. Where can you adopt them?
A Maui nonprofit has sent dozens of cats to shelters and rescues in Washington to make room for pets that have been injured or displaced during the devastating wildfires.
These animals were already in foster homes before the wildfires began, Seattle Humane spokesperson Brandon Macz told McClatchy News on Aug. 18.
Multiple wildfires ignited in Maui on Aug. 8, killing 111 people and displacing thousands as of Aug 17. The largest fire burned through 2,168 acres, including wiping out Lahaina, a town with about 13,000 people.
Now animal shelters and rescues in Maui need space for pets impacted by the fires.
So far, Good Cat Network, a nonprofit “foster-based rescue organization” in Makawao, has transported 17 cats to Seattle Humane in Bellevue.
Several cats have already been listed for adoption on the Seattle Humane website. To find these cats, look for a red sticker on the photo that says “Maui lifesaver rescue.”
The organization also flew 18 cats to The NOAH Center — an adoption facility in Stanwood.
So far six cats from Maui have been adopted, according to the nonprofit.
The nonprofit is asking the public for donations or cases of wet food.
“We are stepping up our efforts to assist the pets and people affected by the Maui fires, but we can’t do this alone,” the center said in a Facebook post.
The Progressive Animal Welfare Society in Lynnwood will receive cats from Maui on Monday, Aug. 21, Good Cat Network spokesperson and co-founder Darlene Rayhill told McClatchy News by email.
“The support from the Maui community and extended ohana in the PNW has been overwhelming. We feel loved. We feel your aloha. Thank you. Your support keeps us going,” Good Cat Network said on Facebook.
The Maui Humane Society is also sending cats to the Oregon Humane Society.
This story was originally published August 18, 2023 at 4:36 PM with the headline "Maui sends dozens of cats to Washington animal shelters. Where can you adopt them?."
