MICHAEL'S STORY
Michael Willinsky - Founder
Every evening, Michael makes over 50 stops to bring food and fresh water to nearly 400 of Maui's starving, neglected cats. He can't stand to see an animal suffer and has rescued countless cats and kittens from unimaginable conditions. For 16 years Michael has committed to getting them healthy, fixed, and fed. The kitties LOVE seeing him every night and he's made some great friends along the way.
Check out Mike's video here. You'll be amazed.
DONNA’S STORY
Donna Willinsky - Vice President, Director of Communications
Since her early childhood Donna has been a huge animal lover and has consistently matched her love with advocacy for at-risk pets and wildlife. During her tenure as a Director of Animal Welfare in Los Angeles, she educated the public about the importance and joys of responsible pet ownership. Donna continues to work for the benefit of animals and their human companions. As a liaison for animal lovers, non-animal lovers, and the rescue community, Donna brings her calm head and big heart to every conversation. We are so happy that she is part of our team.
GRANT AND NANCY'S STORY
We visited Maui for the first time in 1982 on our honeymoon! Life was busy and we didn’t return until 2012 when a family wedding brought us over. Following 2012, we returned to Maui every year for 8 years! We retired from our careers and moved to Maui full time in 2020! Grant & I love all animals and really enjoy working with SMC! When we’re not volunteering helping the cats of Maui, we enjoy hiking, swimming and biking around this beautiful island!!
LINDA'S STORY
Linda Banziger
Linda is the driving force of Save Maui Cats! Not only is she heavily involved with our humane trapping, neuter, return, manage program (TNRM), she creates opportunities to share our mission. She has already been interviewed on TV and will be heading up our Community Outreach Program. Be sure to say hello as she helps get the word out at Farmer's Markets and Friday Town Parties!
From Linda:
My concern for the feral/community cats of Maui started in 2011 when I took some healthy kittens to the humane society to be adopted. These kittens were already spayed and neutered and even had their shots. Unfortunately the Humane Society didn’t have the space or resources to adopt them out and had no choice but to euthanize them. Devastated, I cried all the way home (with the kittens of course) and decided then and there to become part of the solution. I volunteered with the SPCA and the (monthly?) Spay and Neuter clinics at the Humane Society. I grew to understand just how much of a crisis Maui’s homeless cats faced. The problem of the feral cat overpopulation had as much to do with the community as it did a funding policy. Fortunately, I discovered that there was a simple solution -TNRM (Trap, Neuter, Return, Manage). After cats are fixed, they are returned to their outdoor colonies and fed daily. They are free to live out their lives, without creating more kittens.
We know what the answer is, but we need community involvement. Let’s work together and get those cats fixed!
I am committed to doing whatever I can to help save cats’ lives and promote TNRM in the community. I offer free help with TNR of unfixed cats throughout the island of Maui. My dream is to have a no-kill shelter on Maui and welcome any volunteers who want to help make this dream become a reality.
Thank you for your Kokua.
LEA'S STORY
Lea Chassagny
Stand by for Lea's story, it's coming soon!
Not only does Lea feed our community cats, she's got such a big heart that she makes the time to sit with them whenever she can. Cats - even the most frightened - are social animals and many respond to Lea's patience and calming presence. Even if they're too afraid to be touched, many is that cat who just wants to be near her and can be seen just out of arm's reach. Thank you Lea for bringing kindness to these sweet little animals and helping them to learn to trust.