Caring for Maui Cats After the Rescue

Beyond the Headlines

Our hearts are with the community of Lahaina as the recovery from the devastating Maui wildfires continues. Thanks to you and the generosity of our President’s Circle donors, Oregon Humane Society is ready to respond to natural disasters and answer the call for help. We partnered with Greater Good Charities and Maui Humane Society to move 92 shelter pets to OHS—freeing up critical space and resources so the team at Maui Humane Society can help lost and injured pets directly impacted by the wildfires.  

The shelter pets flown to Oregon from Maui were the first disaster-related, large intake at OHS’ new Behavior and Rescue Center. Luckily for these cats, the community rallied around OHS, adopting almost all  92 cats in about a week! But after the headlines fade, our team continues to work hard for two of the cats still in our care.

Meet Uni & Meteor

Some of the cats rescued by Maui Humane Society were community cats living directly in harm’s way when the fires hit. Meteor and Uni are two of these cats, and they are getting the personal attention and training they need in our Behavior Modification Program before they are eligible for adoption. While they have not lived in a home, they are familiar with people as the Maui community diligently cared for them during their lives in Hawaii. But the shelter environment and Oregon have been a tough transition for these two cats who are used to living on their own. 

Erika Sims, Feline Behavior Modification Manager is leading the effort to help Uni and Meteor find their way in Oregon. She says, “We are working on building confidence and trust with them. I believe they will both come around, but it will take some time.” The staff is working patiently, to establish bonds with each of the cats, using delicious treats, calm movements, and a steady routine to help gain their trust.  

Because of your generosity, we can provide all animals at OHS with no time limits for the length of their stay. Time is one of the most valuable assets we get to provide, especially in cases like this where animals are being introduced to a whole new way of life.  

Erika recognizes that there are a lot of myths surrounding cat behavior, “Cats have a reputation for being independent animals that don’t need social relations with people. We’re finding more and more that this is not true. These cats have their own personalities, likes and dislikes just like people. Once we learn who they are, we end up building long lasting relationships between people and cats.”  

For cats like Uni and Meteor, who arrive at OHS fearful and shy, the relationship building begins while living in in the newly built Behavior and Rescue Center. Complete with a sunroom that houses cats together, spacious kennels with natural light and more room for jumping, exploring, and fostering playful curiosity, this purpose-built space is the purrrfect way to ease into their journey finding a new family and a new life in Oregon.