Texans in the Single-Wide

Syd-Sr.

Most of the RAPS cats come to us as ferals or strays; some are surrendered with behavioural issues; just occasionally they arrive when their human can no longer care for them.  Two years ago, a woman in Texas reached out to us. She had probably heard of us through the Pets and Pickers show, she had done some internet research, and now she was asking for a very special partnership with RAPS. Her health was declining; she knew that she would probably have to go into hospice care, and she needed to know that her beloved cats would be in good hands.  With her lawyer’s help, she made a bequest in her will that would enable their continued care at RAPS, as well as making it possible to get them to us.

Sunshine & Syd-Jr.

That promise came due this summer when she went into end-of-life care, and it was time to bring the cats to Richmond. Mandy Lichtman, with her daughter Maya, made the journey with the somewhat stressful return, described here by Mandy, and in early September the ten Texan cats came to the Adoption Centre, where they were temporarily housed for assessment, and given a chance to assess us in their turn.  From there, they were moved into the Sanctuary proper; some into the Hill House (two large cages where five of them could move freely), one in the Connor House, and four in the SingleWide.

Oreo snoozing with Syd-Sr.

Some of the SingleWide cats are still caged – some health issues, and waiting for vaccines to take effect.  Syd-Sr is a sweet panther; he had some time in a cone with dental stuff, and the med staff removed the shelf in his cage to deter him from much jumping. (Sadly, that meant getting down and up from the floor – not such fun for us older KC’s!)  He looooves human attention and comes over to snuggle happily. 

Oreo is still suspicious of our motives...

His occasional cage-mate is black and white Oreo, who is not socially minded, and is more of a Garbo (I-vant-to-be-alone) cat.  You can offer treats to Oreo, but she is mostly disinterested – not even accepting the Churus that everyone else adores.  Beware the lightning paw – Anne tells me she can be petted – but not by me, yet!

Syd-Jr

In the facing cage by the window you will find Syd-Jr – no relation to the other Syd, and a cheerful boy who loves attention. He has obviously had a haematoma ear at some point, because though not as crumpled as the left ear of our sweet Bossanova, it bends flat (more like Little Orange’s ear). Syd is quick to jump up for cuddles, but has to compete with his roomie, who is quite clear that visitors come to visit her.

Sunshine

Sunshine is the oldest of the group, and very clearly the commanding dowager.  She will join Syd-Jr on a lap, and then turn and smack him till he gives over space to her. Both these cats have some respiratory issues, and having them in the SingleWide will help the med staff keep a careful eye on them.

Texas Sophie loves visitors

The fifth cat was initially in the Connor House, and has joined her family in the SW. Her name is Texas Sophie (to distinguish her from the Sophie in the back courtyard), and she is a sweetheart and a cuddle-bug – so much so that it’s difficult to get a good picture of her, since she’s excited when someone visits her. She’s another of those cats that has decided to remain in her cage, even though the door is open; she was taken over to the Hill House to see the other members of her family, but quickly returned.  She is over-grooming, probably from anxiety, and her legs are almost bare of fur; we may have to try some anti-anxiety meds for her. As KC coordinator Anne points out, the Single-wide is a good place for those nervous kitties; it's quieter than the courtyards and they're able to get more human attention.  

Not shaved down for surgical care - 
Texas Sophie over-grooms when she's anxious!

Under the terms of their owner’s bequest, all the Texas cats are now permanent residents of the Sanctuary, and not on the adoptable list;  you’ll have to come visit on Sunday afternoons to get cuddle time with them...

Welcome to Canada, sweeties! 

Blog & photos by Brigid Coult