Support Needed for Maui Humane Society after Lahaina Wildfire

Jan 25

In the aftermath of the Lahaina fire, while governmental bodies and non-profit organizations are diligently working to provide housing for fire survivors, the Maui Humane Society finds itself in need of assistance to accommodate animals displaced by the tragedy.

The facility is facing a critical shortage of foster homes as it has reached full capacity. Among the more than 600 animals currently under the care of the Maui Humane Society, approximately 250 are cats from Lahaina who have been directly affected by the wildfire.

Director of Marketing and Communications at the Maui Humane Society, Victoria Ivankic, underscored the challenging situation, stating, "It puts our shelter in a really tough position when we're at capacity like we are now." While shelters across the country are dealing with similar challenges, the unique island setting amplifies the struggle due to the limited alternatives available.

Ivankic emphasized the urgent need for public support, urging individuals to consider adopting or fostering. Fostering a cat from Lahaina comes with its own set of considerations, given that many of these west side cats were accustomed to a free-range lifestyle. Consequently, the foster program involves keeping them outdoors on a lawn before eventually releasing them.

"If anyone knows the Lahaina area, there are community cats, and they're cats who are not really comfortable being in a home environment, so they're not available for traditional adoption. They much rather prefer to roam the neighborhood, fend for themselves, a lot of them are friendly with people but not in the way of a normal house cat," explained Ivankic.

Compounding the challenge is the absence of available kennel space at the humane society, leaving the staff in a desperate situation as they typically receive new animals on a daily basis.

In response to this pressing need, the Maui Humane Society is activating its "SOS Foster" program, which is specifically designed to welcome individuals with no prior fostering experience. Ivankic stressed the importance of community involvement, stating, "We really encourage the community to come adopt, foster, or take in one of our fire cats through Operation Fire Cat Placement Program." This initiative not only aids the animals in their care but also extends support to the people of Lahaina who have been directly affected by recent events.

For those willing to contribute to this essential cause, detailed information on how to adopt, foster, or participate in the Operation Fire Cat Placement Program can be found here. Your active involvement can make a meaningful impact on the well-being of these animals and provide much-needed support to the Lahaina community during these challenging times.

Ways to Donate

Monetary donations are one of the most efficient ways to help, as they allow organizations to access more quickly what they need in a constantly changing environment without straining resources.

The Maui Humane Society is accepting the following: