Louie

Louie  (KN)

When the Sanctuary was established, it was common practice for rescues everywhere to discover that a cat they had taken in might prove via blood tests to be FIV+ or FeLV+, and the cat would be quietly euthanized because everyone knew that neither virus could be cured – there were vaccines to protect cats, but once infected, that was it. RAPS was founded as a no-kill rescue, and cats coming to us with FIV or leukemia were treated exactly like all our other cats – loved and protected, but just in separate areas, to protect further transmission.

Starting to be inquisitive  (KC)

In the subsequent thirty years, we have learned much about these viruses, and their effect on the cats we love. The FIV retrovirus is only transmitted by cat-to-cat bites, or in utero, and once cats are neutered, aggression is greatly reduced. We know that FIV+ and FIV- cats can live together peaceably, and that adoption is possible. We know that calling them the AIDS cats is actually a misnomer – FIV+ means that they carry the potential for AIDS, which in many cases never really shows up. We do prefer to continue to keep them together; it helps the med-staff keep aware of watching for health issues, which, with a reduced immune system, can prove to be a problem. But many of our FIV+ cats will live lives that are as long as the other Sanctuary cats. Many of our weekend visitors are in fact surprised to see this bunch of healthy cats, several of whom have gone to loving homes in the course of the last year or two. But there are a few, who, when you look a little closer, show signs of health issues that we need to stay on top of.  

Hiding in a kennel   (KN)

Louie came to us in early 2020 as a very scared feral; one of a number of FIV+ cats that came to us from CatSpan Rescue, mid-Island. Several rescues on the Island are doing excellent work, but you can’t TNR (trap/neuter/release) an FIV+ cat; if we stand any chance of reducing the virus, those cats can’t be allowed to roam freely. Because we have the facilities to care for them, many of the rescues will send their FIV+ ferals to us. 

Louie with his friend Gizzard (BH)

Following his initial cage-time, Louie was one of the cats that vanished into the back area of the pen – the Prince of Wales pen, and the unnamed one beyond it. He could frequently be found hiding behind the hut, often in company with other ferals. He was a battered-looking boy, one who’d obviously lived rough, and he was very nervous around us. Domino, who arrived at the same time, was also feral, but had much more confidence, and soon adjusted to the new situation. Louie preferred to hold to his feral habits; any approach from us, and he would back away hastily. Any cat can have the genetic mutation that affects tail length without being officially a Manx cat; Louie has the little stub of tail that makes him closer to a bobtail.

In the cabin, coming for pets  (BC)

For the greater number of FIV+ cats, there is no obvious sign of the virus. What we do see occasionally is mouth problems (ulcers and stomatitis), sometimes diarrhea, and skin problems. Louie has the latter: rough fur, some bald patches, and an allergy to flea medications. His difficulties meant that he had the attention of the med-staff, and he came to realise that we meant him no harm. Gradually the volunteers working in the back of the New Aids pen found that he was allowing us to approach, and sitting on the step of the Prince of Wales pen, we would find that he was not only approaching us, but ducking his head to offer strong head-bumps. Petting... not so much, but he loved the head bunting.

The love of a feral  (BC)

Five years after his arrival, Louie is a different cat. Not physically – he retains his battered appearance, and his rough coat. But he explores the full range of the New Aids pen now – I found him in the main cabin this evening, and sat close enough to the floor that he could approach for head-bumps and tidbits.  He is a little wary of the more assertive cats; Cypress and Obelix and Domino are quick to push him aside when food is offered. He can be found in company with some of the other shy cats, and though he will probably never be a lap-cat, he will sit beside me if there are no other pushy cats around. He’s not a candidate for adoption – but that’s why we are a Sanctuary; he has safety as long as he’s in our care.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Katy Cobb, Brigid Coult, Brielle Hutchison, Karen Nicholson

Colourful ferals

Sarah (KN)

Sometimes it feels like we have a flood of new cats that come in from different rescues, and it may take awhile for them to settle enough that we can really get to know them.  One such inundation happened in late 2023 when we took in the colony that had lived at Cranbrook College of the Rockies, until the College demanded their removal. The feral colony came into our care, and is now well settled in pens 2 and 3 in the back courtyard; most of them remain fearful and avoid contact with humans.

Raya - newly arrived  (BC)

At about the same time, a trio of little cats came to us from Broken Promises Rescue, on Vancouver Island,  and were placed in a DoubleWide cage opposite the College cats. Like the larger group, the trio was feral, and spent all their cage time huddled behind their privacy drape. Efforts to visit with them were met by fearful hissing; they definitely didn’t want people around them.  They were a colourful little family – a short-haired calico, a long-haired tortie, and a long-haired pale one with raccoon eyes. The two long-haired ones were found behind a Port Renfrew restaurant, on the west coast; the calico came from a First Nations reserve near Ladysmith. Broken Promises works largely with fostering, and these three were in care together for some time, before it was decided that they were too scared to tame, and would be better at the Sanctuary.

Sarah, in Pen 3  (KN)

Typically the Sanctuary cage-stay is 6-8 weeks, allowing us to administer necessary vaccines, do spay and neuter when needed, assess health issues and dental care, and with luck, enable the newcomers to encounter humans and learn that we mean no harm. Practically, most ferals don’t change that quickly – and because they’re sharing cages, their proximity both gives them comfort, and reinforces that they’d rather be with their own companions. When the med staff feel we’ve done as much as we can, the cage doors are opened, and the cats can decide what their next move will be. The majority of the College Cats made their way out – first to the DW Deck, and then out into the pens; only Tabitha (also known as Tubbitha) remained indoors – and her attitude to people didn’t change much, though she appreciated the food service!  In the opposite cage of Broken Promises cats, little Sarah, the calico, summoned up courage and headed for the great outdoors;  since then she has mostly located in pen 3, where she has made friends with other small ferals, and with the Calgary colony who live there. I most frequently see her in company with black-and-white Tofino, who is very cat-social.

Madeleine & Raya were always together  (BC)

The other two little girls were definitely bonded, and decided to base themselves in the cage and refuse to move; their drape was left up, and I think many of us almost forgot that they were there. Occasionally little Madeleine would be seen scooting from cage to the Deck door, like a little grey ghost; tortie Raya was not to be dislodged. They must have come out at night to share from the wet-food plate – but only the evening med-staff might occasionally spot them.

Madeleine in the great outdoors  (BC)

Then big changes:  the 25-year-old DoubleWide trailer badly needed refurbishing: pee-sodden wood had to be torn out, wiring and insulation replaced, shelving installed, all the cages rebuilt. Much to the dismay of the regular inhabitants, everyone was moved out and doors closed behind them.  Madeleine took herself right out of the building and to pens 2 and 3 – I don’t see her much in company with Sarah, but she can sometimes be found hanging around Yma, who is still very shy.

Raya, out on the deck with the other ferals  (BB)

Tortie Raya vanished completely, but has been discovered hanging out on the DW deck with the other semi-ferals; like Madonna, she hides out in the beds that line the shelf above the windows.  When the work on the main room is done, it will be interesting to see whether she returns to it, or whether she prefers to stay where there are new friends. And as the weather gets colder, who knows if Madeleine will manage to make her way back to the main building to be with Raya, or if she will let Sarah show her how to manage, out in the gardens.  

Madeleine, still hiding out (BC)

All three remain fearful of human contact – unlike the Cranbrook cats, who are getting increasingly brave at being around humans (Li’l Bit actually spent Sunday visiting time out in the open – not interacting, but not running away!).  Sarah’s had a winter outside, and knows how things go;  once the DoubleWide renovations are complete, the med-staff will make a decision on whether to net Madeleine and return her to keep company with Raya, or whether to leave her to do her own thing with Sarah and the other ferals in the back pens.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Braden Burgess, Brigid Coult, Karen Nicholson

More Adoptables

Guacamole  (KN)

For years the RAPS tradition has been that adoptable cats go to the Adoption Centre, and that most of the Sanctuary cats are non-adoptable. And basically, that’s not changed much. When we take visitors around, they quickly realise that feral cats, scared cats, peeing cats and cats with medical conditions are not the best prospect for a long-term home.

Frank - all dressed up and looking for a home  (KN)

But we now know much more about feline behavioural issues, and about the things that might make a formerly feral cat more or less adoptable – and we are no longer so fixed on “that cat can’t be adopted!”, with better education for adopters.  So currently we have posted some cats in both the Front and Back Courtyards that we think might do well in a home, and visitors can ask to be introduced to some of the candidates.

Lomi is becoming more adventurous  (BC)

What makes a cat adoptable in our eyes?  It should be willing to interact with a human – that does not necessarily mean lap-sitting, or allowing itself to be picked up, but it should be happy with petting, treats and perhaps a little grooming. It should be mostly a litter-box user – though, at the Sanctuary there are many cats who prefer to use the gardens as their bathroom. We look for people who are cat-savvy, who are patient, who don’t expect that the cat will immediately bond with them, and who understand that a cat needs time to settle in a new home. They will often come to visit repeatedly, giving “their” cat time to get used to them.  A cat who is a stray will usually settle much more easily than a former feral, A cat who is adopted as an only cat will be much more likely to use a litterbox and not mark territory in unpleasant ways.

Polar is friendly, but wary of visitors  (BC)

Back in April's blog, Mycroft (Holmes) was still wary, but now he flirts with all the visitors; he's going to his new home this month. In May, I presented two of the Hotel Cats, Westin and Wyndham – one from the front courtyard and one from New Aids; both are enjoying attention from visitors. Bello had his blog in July, and went to his new home in September.  In August I introduced RootBeer, Frank and Lomi, all of whom are still looking for their own homes. The following week I introduced the Sushi Boys, Tobiko and Hamachi – Tobiko is certainly adoptable; Hamachi has annoyed other cats and had cage-time as a consequence (and, sadly, is cage-aggressive), but would probably do fine with his brother.  In September we met sweet Reef, who is getting braver all the time.  Background information can be found by following any of those links.

Speckle welcomes Hill House visitors (LBF)

Two of our Front Courtyard tabbies are on the list – generally you can find them in or around the Hill House. Speckle is particularly willing to come forward for petting at table-height – she’s 5-6 years old, and has been with us for four years, though it’s only in the least year or so that she’s become such a flirt. Kahlua is about the same age, all-tabby, and very friendly. Their buddy Chai who came in at the same time remains resolutely feral in behaviour and will have nothing to do with visitors.

Rosie is wary with strangers  (BC)

In the Back Courtyard there are two small black cats who refuse to emerge while weekend visitors are around, but who come out and make friends when things are quieter.  Both base themselves in the Newcomers area and the shelves around.  If you want to meet Arwen you will probably need to make an appointment outside regular visiting hours;  your chances are better with Polar, who loves petting and attention once most people have gone - he's not yet had his own blog page.  Another shy girl also inhabits the Newcomers; blond Rosie is a little picky about her people and needs a lot of patience, but is very sweet when she becomes trusting.

Kahlua is another Hill House inhabitant  (AG)

The most outgoing of the Back Courtyard adoptables is black Guacamole. He is almost always willing to come for petting and attention, and his only problem is that he refuses to wear his “adoptable” bandana. But you really can’t miss him – he’s our one tripod/tri-paw’d there, and the most likely to come and introduce himself.

Tobiko (SF)

These are all cats who are used to Sanctuary life and would not do well in the cages of the Adoption Centre. They would all prefer space to roam: an enclosed garden or a catio – but like all RAPS cats, they should basically remain indoor cats, and never have to know the terrifying life of a feral again.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen, Brigid Coult, Sarah Faith, 

Akira Graham, Karen Nicholson

Solstice

Solstice  (BC)

The SingleWide is the building most likely to become a home to older cats who have been surrendered to our care for various reasons – an owner passed or with health issues, a cat with behavioural or health problems...  It’s an environment particularly suited to an animal who has been used to a loving home where they have been kept indoors – though cranky-pants like BeeBoo and Shadow have their own reasons for making it their home.

The necessary cage-stay  (KH)

Solstice came to us early this year  and was settled in one of the large cages to decompress. There are very few cats who actually enjoy the caging period, necessary as it may be; we all know that unhappy cats are likely to go and hide away, but they like to choose just where to hide, and those options are limited in a cage. We try, when preparing it for a new inhabitant, to give them a number of possibilities on different levels; Solstice was obviously a little uncomfortable physically and chose the easiest option, behind the drape on the main shelf. And there she stayed.

Initial suspicions  (BC)

When I first encountered Solstice, she immediately reminded me of Pandora, a SingleWide predecessor who arrived at the age of 18 with multiple physical problems and serious Cattitude. Solstice wasn’t quite as growly, but emanated a clear “Leave me alone!” message. She was matted and uncomfortable. But in fact she was less than 7 years old when she came to us. Apparently her owner had left town without her, and the family member who took on her care couldn’t cope with the angry, aggressive cat who was mourning the changes in her life.

Necessary grooming included very poofy feet!  (KH)

The Kitty Comforters stepped up. Regular visits, initially resented by Solstice, became more interesting to her. Care from the med staff left her feeling better and more receptive to human attention. Her UTIs and occasional peeing became less frequent as she became calmer – in fact, it’s likely that they were stress-induced when her owner left.  A little grooming and some tasty treats improved her mood. By the time she was released, she’d decided that these humans were OK – though  the other cats, perhaps not so much.

Making herself at home  (BC)

In the last six months, Solstice has become a more active member of the SW population. From hiding away, she now claims her comfy spaces right in the open; she loves attention and lap-time, and is ready to defend her territory to cats like Shadow, who think they have a right to the couch!  She explores everywhere, enjoying mountaineering on the cage-tops and snoozing on a shelf.  

Cage-top queen of all she surveys  (BC)

Visitors often ask how I know so many of the cats – and mostly it’s because of writing this blog, and because I work in most areas of the Sanctuary. But if I really want detail on a cat, there is usually at least one volunteer in any specific area who spends significant time outside scooping/cleaning/feeding. In the SingleWide, I know I can always turn to Kim for background and more photos.

No longer confined - so now she likes her cage!  (KH)

Kim says:
I love Solstice so much, and I hope it’s mutual.  I think she had a spicy tag on her in the beginning, but I found she was really sweet from the start as long as you took a soft approach. She loves head pets. She has the softest fur that is prone to tangles, but isn’t a fan of brushing. She was mad at me for two weeks after I tried brushing her. She’s become really comfortable exploring since Bella took over her cage. Every Monday when I arrive, I find her in a new napping spot. Sometimes, she climbs on my chest/shoulders and wraps herself around me — I joke that she’s trying to become a scarf.

No longer the angry girl who came to us...  (KH)

I’m with you, Kim – she’s a really sweet girl. She’s not officially on the adoptable list yet, but she might do very well with someone that she knows and trusts.

Blog by Brigid Coult, with Kim Howe

Photos: Brigid Coult, Kim Howe