If you’re a cat lover, then this attraction is a dream come true for you. And even if you think that cats are just a common sight in everyday life, a trip to this cat haven with nearly 500 felines is sure to change your mind. Because this isn’t just any random animal shelter, it’s a sanctuary with a heart and a story to tell. Located on a tiny island called Lana’i, this place came into existence because of the sheer overpopulation of stray cats on the island. The non-native creatures were brought over on whaling boats over a century ago, and multiplied profusely. Soon, they were a common sight everywhere, begging food from tourists and locals alike. They quickly became seen as a nuisance by the residents, who took to trapping and killing them as pests. In order to halt this practice, a volunteer programme was set up to catch and neuter the felines before releasing them back into the wild. When it was discovered that the cats had begun to endanger the local population of Ua’u birds, Lanai was created. Today, it engages in both the rescue of cats and the conservation of birds, maintaining a balance in the island’s delicate ecosystem. Fortunately, this means that you get to experience the ohana they’ve created and show some love to these cuddly kitties.