The following story is featured in the Alley Cat Action® 2026 Summer Newsletter. Read the full newsletter edition here.
When Oahu was hit by Hawai’i’s worst flooding in 20 years, Alley Cat Allies’ Rapid Response Team hit the ground running to save cats’ lives.
Our team spent days in action at all hours in Oahu’s hard-hit North Shore, providing food and water to flood-affected cats and their caregivers.
And when cats were rescued from flood zones and needed emergency veterinary care, Alley Cat Allies worked closely with veterinarians to cover all costs of their treatment.
Lieutenant Dan
Seven-year-old Lieutenant Dan survived the historic flooding in Oahu but unfortunately suffered a laceration injury around his tail. He’s a well known and beloved cat in his neighborhood, and the moment one of his caregivers saw him, they rushed him to the local veterinary clinic.
Alley Cat Allies covered all costs of Lieutenant Dan’s wound treatment. Better yet: His community was eager and waiting to bring him home. Alley Cat Allies footed the bill for the little tuxedo cat’s treatment. Once Dan was stitched up, pain free, and ready to go, his community was eager and waiting to bring him home.
Pumpkin
As our team prepared to leave the veterinary clinic after checking on Lieutenant Dan, a resident of Oahu hurried in with another injured cat. When the orange tabby, Pumpkin, carefully poked her head out of her carrier, the painful wound on her ear was immediately apparent.
Pumpkin was discovered in a previously flooded zone and, when a bowl of food was set down, refused to eat. Given the high stress of surviving the flood and her wound, it wasn’t a surprise that she had little appetite.
Because we provided support along with the care team, Pumpkin was treated and fostered until she healed and could find a forever home.
The Best Way to Stay Safe During Disasters: Prepare
Find key disaster preparedness information for cats at alleycat.org/Disaster