Why do we need Pōpoki Place on O‘ahu?
A WIN FOR CATS
A WIN FOR SEA MAMMALS
A WIN FOR BIRDS
Pōpoki Place will be a forever home for stray cats that are not readily adoptable. All cats will be spayed or neutered and receive medical care to support a safe, happy life in a secure enclosure. All cats will be available for adoption, as we know that many just need time and space to bloom! See how it works.
A WIN FOR BIRDS
A WIN FOR SEA MAMMALS
A WIN FOR BIRDS
We believe we can protect cats and birds. Cats are just one of many threats facing ground-nesting seabirds. Our sanctuary would provide a humane alternative to culling as a way to remove cats from protected habitat. Learn more about how you can help Hawaii's seabirds.
A WIN FOR SEA MAMMALS
A WIN FOR SEA MAMMALS
A WIN FOR SEA MAMMALS
Cats can shed toxoplasmosis, which can sicken sea mammals. There is no vaccine so to reduce this threat, we must reduce the number of outdoor cats on O‘ahu. Litter boxes at the sanctuary will be carefully managed. Learn more about how you can help monk seals.
A WIN FOR EVERYONE
A WIN FOR SEA MAMMALS
A WIN FOR SEA MAMMALS
Whether we love or hate cats, we all want to reduce the number of cats roaming the streets. Pōpoki Place will provide a much needed refuge! As we grow, and increase awareness about the root causes of this crisis, the community will see a significant decrease in nuisance cats.
Pōpoki place is the best solution with the highest potential I have learned of to date, and the first solution that makes sense from every perspective.
LEILEI SHIH, PHD • SIERRA CLUB NATIONAL MARINE TEAM • CHAIR
Our Plans
The Mission
Sanctuary Design
Sanctuary Design
Our primary goal is to provide safe, permanent housing for O‘ahu's overwhelming “unadoptable” feral population. All cats will be adoptable but if they are never chosen, they will live their lives happy and content in a protected, safe, loving home.
Sanctuary Design
Sanctuary Design
Sanctuary Design
Popoki Place will have multiple large enclosures surrounded by secure fencing in a lush setting. Cats will feel like they are free-roaming but cannot escape the enclosure and will have all of their needs met. See how it will work.
Education
Sanctuary Design
For the Community
We will be an educational resource for schools and groups who want to learn more about the environmentally safe, responsible care of cats and kittens. Preventing cruelty and suffering of all animals on O‘ahu is important to us.
For the Community
Protecting other species
For the Community
Neighborhoods will have fewer roaming cats causing a nuisance and falling victim to cruelty and abuse by humans.
Pōpoki Place will be open to visitors of all ages. We will have family day events with fun activities. There will be plenty of opportunities to volunteer. Vet Tech students will get hands-on training.
Protecting other species
Protecting other species
Protecting other species
Our goals include protecting native endangered birds and sea mammals as well as the cats. We understand that cats can pose a serious threat and we want to help protect them too!
We believe that we don't have to kill one species to save another.
No-Kill Sanctuary
Protecting other species
Protecting other species
Joining Best Friends Animal Society's call to create a no-kill country by 2025, Popoki Place has committed to being a No-Kill Sanctuary, which means that no cat will be killed merely because they are homeless.
We are Pōpoki People
As Pōpoki People, we believe that O‘ahu needs this sanctuary to help ease the current cat situation affecting the community. When you join us by signing up or donating, you are saying that you want to be part of the movement to create this awesome sanctuary on O‘ahu!
Qualifications
Wanting to ensure the safety and quality of life for the cats in our care, our Founder, Holly Holowach, took an intensive 4-month course with Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah through Southern Utah University. She had the pleasure of learning from two of the founders of the Best Friends organization.
Holly also completed a course on Cat Lifesaving, and founding board member Tom completed a training on Basic Animal Emergency Response & Disaster Animal Sheltering.
Commitment to Transparency
We are proud to have earned the Candid Silver Seal of Transparency on GuideStar. We want to make sure you have the progress updates you need to confidently support our work with trust and confidence. Check out our profile.
JOIN OUR MISSION
Your support and contributions will enable us to help these animals. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
HELP US BUILD POPOKI PLACE
We are not open yet and not accepting cats at this time. Your generosity will help us build Popoki Place!