Aloha! I have just returned from an emotional trip to Maui accompanied by Tara Triplett. Tara was formerly from Durango where she worked at the Durango Animal Hospital and is now currently a Vet Tech at the Pecan Grove Vet Clinic in Texas. We spent time at the Maui Humane Society (MHS) learning about their Reunification Program for the hundreds of cats that survived the Lahaina fire. Touring the devastation of the fire first-hand and feeling the continued duress of the natives and their pets was completely heartbreaking.
This has moved me to support Operation Fire Cat created on Maui to reunite missing cats with their owners, as well as re-home the local cat colonies that were displaced by the fire. MHS has joined efforts with Maui's Neighborhood Cats in efforts to provide new homes to the many Lahaina cats who do not have a place to return to, as well as offer peace of mind for their Lahaina caretakers who compassionately cared for these feral colonies in the past. They are taking pairs of colony cats and placing them in a temporary housing enclosure at various locations for 3 weeks in order to acclimate them to a new area. MHS is providing all the food, materials and support needed so that these cats can then be released to continue living the fulfilled lives they once had, prowling pests and basking in the sun.
I want to do my part to contribute to their cat community mission. I have started my own local campaign to bring a number of the Lahaina domestic cats back to my cattery to provide care and adoption opportunities for them. I have selected a number of friendly cats that are unable to return to their homes on the island, as they no longer exist. This effort will involve raising funds be able to purchase direct flights to Albuquerque to bring the cats to the mainland. From there we will rent a van to drive them back up to my cattery in Durango. Currently, there are over 700 displaced cats and I want to do something to help make a difference and relieve some of the pressure on MHC from this current overpopulation of their facility and their resources.
I am in the process of applying for a grant to help assist with the cost of the flights but I personally ask you to please consider helping the fire cat victims of Lahaina by making an 100% tax-deductible donation to Cat Care Durango for supporting our efforts of giving these cats a future. I appreciate anything you can offer towards help with this project.
Thank you for considering-
Padgie Kimmick
