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.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Update: Huckle

When I wrote about Huckle last February, the little old feral girl was just starting to consider letting a few people touch her. Not much progress was made since then, and up until recently she never really made it past sitting in a cat bed on the front porch outside the singlewide.

When the colder weather comes, many normally outdoor cats find their way inside where it's warm and cozy, but some of the ferals need a little help in deciding to brave the humans rather than braving the cold. Worried about Huckle sitting out there on her porch, Marianne suggested putting her in a cage in the Connor building where she'd be nice and warm.


This was done.  The funny thing is that now, after the cage door has been opened and Huckle is free to leave, she doesn't want to go anywhere. She's decided she's perfectly happy where she is. Staff have even had to put up signs to let well-meaning volunteers know not to remove the food & water or litterbox (which are not usually needed for an open cage), nor to move the step ladder that will let her get down when and if she decides she wants to.


Not only that, Huckle is now more willing to have people touch her. She's still a bit nervous at first, but nothing she's not willing to get past once she realizes all that's going to happen to her is a bit of gentle stroking, and a little stroking feels nice.


Updated September 5, 2012: Little Huckle had to go to the Rainbow Bridge this week. She will be missed. Here are a few words from Ed, to whom she was particularly dear:
It was through Huckle that I developed a wonderful friendship with a woman who was in her late 80's at the time, who moved to California to be with her family and arranged to put Huckle at the sanctuary. Huckle was about 8 years old when she was placed at the Sanctuary and that was in 2004, so at the time of her crossing she was 16 years old.
I wish to thank all the volunteers at the Sanctuary who worked with my little girl, who helped her feel safe, comfortable and cared for. Because of all your hard work she changed from a feral cat to one who was comfortable around people and other cats.

2 comments:

  1. What a nice Valentine present. :) A happy story about a loverly black cat. The ladder made me laugh. The only reason my patio furniture is outside on the porch, is so my baby girl can get up to the window to let me know that it's time to let her inside. That's after she visits the neighbour. The food is always better at the neighbour's house after all!!

    Happy Valentine's Day to all.
    Karen

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  2. The cats and I firmly believe all open cages should have litter boxes and food and water for their convenience. ;)
    I think it's great how we redesign areas so that less able kitties can get up and down and around. It really is all about them at the catfarm. ;)

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