RAPS is short for Regional Animal Protection Society, a registered charity and operator of a sanctuary which houses and cares for nearly 500 homeless or abandoned cats in Richmond, BC, Canada. The Neko Files is a celebration of the sanctuary and all those who live and work there.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Sara Lou

Sara Lou came to RAPS as a feral young adult with her nearly identical sister Sara Lee.


Sara Lou was so upset about her new surroundings that she not only chewed her way out of the cage the sisters had been put in, but out of the building in which the cage was located. Although she thankfully didn't make it out of the sanctuary altogether, she put such an effort into resisting capture that RAPS staff in the end thought it best to respect her wishes.

photo by Barbara

As a result, while Sara Lee's regular contact with staff and volunteers taught her to trust humans early on, Sara Lou never really did tame up. After over eight years at the sanctuary, it's only been fairly recently that she's begun to allow people to get close enough that she might consider sniffing a finger tip.


Luckily for me, posing for photos is now well within her comfort zone. Attempts to make actual contact, though, were repeatedly greeted with a neat little scoot just out of reach... followed by an equally neat little look-at-me pose.  Progress? Sure. Slow but sure.


4 comments:

  1. I think it's safe to say that what black cats really want, is for us to respect their wishes!!!

    Thanks again Claire!

    Karen

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  2. I still can't tell the diff between her and Noelle :(
    Ann

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  3. Well, when you get your glasses you can!!!! :)

    Karen, your seestor hahahahha

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  4. Sarah Lou is going to surprise us soon, each month I notice her becoming so brave!

    I can tell the difference between Sarah Lee & Noelle. Sarah Lee & Sarah Lou I fine are almost identical. However, looking at your photos it seems the little escape artist has more white on her than her sister.

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