Maui Fire Recovery
Project Overview
FieldHaven spent 75 days on Maui working diligently to coordinate the rescue and recovery of cats from the Lahaina fire. From early September to mid-November 2023, executive director Joy Smith and TNR Program Manager Jen Paul partnered with Maui Humane Society, Neighborhood Cats, and UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine to lead rescue and recovery efforts.
During the first two weeks of the mission, we spent nights in the fire zone, assessing the population of cats, determining their locations, and setting up feeding stations to nourish the cats until they could be rescued. We also did some initial trapping before moving onto to the next part of our mission.
We coordinated the setup of the MHS Annex Recovery Center to house and recover fire after they were rescued in the fire zone. Using the experience we have with fire cats, we implemented FieldHaven’s best practices for the special needs of rescued fire cats.
The final count of cats being rescued from the fire zone will be north of 500. At the writing of this, trapping is still in progress. During our time on Maui, we cared for over 200 cats in recovery. Local staff and volunteers were trained by Jen and Joy, leaving the ongoing recovery process in good hands and hearts. Former FieldHaven staff member Jeanie Schumacher is still part of the mission, coordinating reunification efforts.
Blog
Maui Fire Cat Reunion: Rocky
By Joy Smith, executive director Three months to the day after the fire Rocky was trapped. His parents tell the
Maui Fire Cat Reunion: L769
By Joy Smith, executive director When Noe and Genera were able to get access to their Lahaina home after the
Five Years of Saving Fire Cats
By Joy Smith, executive director This week was the 5th year anniversary of the Camp Fire, in northern California, and
Rescued and Reunited: The Heartwarming Journey of Henry and Hank
By Joy Smith, executive director Providing pathways to outcomes for the fire cats is an essential part of the recovery
Mamoa Goes Home!
By Joy Smith, executive director Today it happened! Mamoa aka L557 aka my (former) boyfriend went home with his momma
Mamoa is Making Waves After Leaving Maui!
By FieldHaven Feline Center Remember Mamoa? We shared his adventure as a Maui wildfire survivor after he took a plane
Big News on Mamoa!
By Joy Smith, executive director BIG NEWS on Mamoa aka L557 aka my (former) boyfriend. Meet Terri. She is adopting
Maui Fire Cat Arrives at FieldHaven
By Joy Smith, executive director Mamoa, a Maui Fire Cat, Arriving at Sacramento Airport Tonight Nearly two months ago, the
Reunions at the Annex
By Joy Smith, executive director Reunions are happening more frequently. We will have a couple more stories coming out of
Easing the Fear of Fire Cats
By Joy Smith, executive director Cats, when rescued from the fire zone, often exhibit behavior that isn’t normal to what
Joy’s Maui Diary: Highlights of the Week
By Joy Smith, executive director October 14 – Apela Colorado was looking for her favorite kitty. She lost her husband,
Joy’s Maui Diary: Highlights of the Week
By Joy Smith It has been a busy recovery effort in Maui as we wrap up another week of hard
Cat Magic at the Annex Recovery Center in Wailuku
By Joy Smith, executive director Cat magic is happening here. This is the Annex Recovery Center in Wailuku. It is
Week 3 in Maui
By Joy Smith Today marks the start of week three here in Maui. Two weeks ago when my plane landed,Get Involved
If you want to see and hear more:
- Watch a Facebook video here (and meet Maui the kitten)
- Follow our adventures in Maui and subscribe to us on YouTube
- Listen to an interview with Kitty O’Neal, of KFBK News Radio here
- Follow our Facebook and Instagram pages
- As far as how you can help, here’s a special link for our Maui Cat Team
Thank you for your support!
FAQs
Why isn't Maui Humane Society providing supplies?
A few people have been asking why we put together a wishlist and are asking for donations when Maui Humane Society has “received millions in donations.” As much as we’d like to think the “millions” they have is an endless bucket of cash, it’s not: this project is literally costing millions of dollars. FieldHaven made a commitment to provide mutual aide to Maui Humane Society because this is a ginormous project that is requiring 1000s upon 1000s of hours in staff and volunteers time and expertise to manage and conduct. It will not be over this month or next month and not even this year.
Maui Humane Society is supporting FieldHaven’s presence here. Mutual aide typically provides reimbursement for expenses, which in the case of this project is extremely expensive. It does not cover our salaries. FieldHaven is not a large organization in terms of funding, but we are enormous in skill, commitment and energy. We want to be here for the long haul, butut we can’t do it without the help of volunteers and supporters.
Why is FieldHaven in Maui when there so much to be done at home?
There are only two staff members here in Maui. Disaster response is part of our mission and is mutual aide. If the disaster were in our neighborhood, we would be accepting all sorts of help from many agencies outside our area. Our main goal is to assist felines and all nine of their lives.
News & Media
10/25/2023
CBS
10/15/2023
KCRA 3
10/4/2023
Cole & Marmalade
9/13/2023
Cole & Marmalade