Comfortable & Cosy in the Hauser House

Lindor has claimed the tree in the back corridor  (BC)

In the 1990s. RAPS founder Carol Reichert noticed the growing feral cat population in Richmond, and in characteristic Carol-fashion, gathered her friends and tackled the problem head-on. The focus was TNR; trapping a full colony of cats, getting them all spayed and neutered, and then returning them and maintaining the colonies. However, Richmond was in full flood of development, and it was often not safe to return the cats to an area soon to be overrun by excavators and other machines. With the help of a generous benefactor, she was able to get a long lease on land within the agricultural reserve, and the Sanctuary began with a trailer and a few sheds. Like Topsy, it “just growed”; other donors stepped up, volunteers came forward and over the years it has increased to the complex that currently serves our cats.

Junji loves the couch back  (KH)

The Double-Wide trailer was the second primary structure, brought into place in the early years of this century. These trailers were pretty basic – not the quality of a contemporary mobile home – and they have taken quite a beating in terms of treatment from the feline inhabitants. Most trailers of their era were not intended for long-term use, and several years ago we had to say a sad farewell to the Moore Trailer, which housed some of our older cats, when it became apparent that mold, damp, rotting wood and access by rats made it unsafe and unhealthy. Some of the other buildings have had overhauls – the Hill House, the Connor, and the area that houses the leukemia cats were all funded by the generosity of donors. But the Double-Wide was the heart of operations, the base for the med staff, and in constant use by hundreds of cats. And that meant a lot of urine soaking through the floor, wooden structures being used as scratching posts, an elderly wiring system and a roof that leaked occasionally.

Digby, enjoying the warmth of the Hauser House, beside the dedication plaque  (JS)

Having made the decision that a major overhaul was necessary, a donor was urgently needed. We are so grateful to the Hauser family, who provided the funds in memory of mother and sister Marcia Hauser, a dedicated cat-lover – and to Judy Sharpe whose donation in memory of her father Jim made it possible to expand and modernize the Med Office. There is more information about the renovation HERE  
A couple of weeks ago, the door that was firmly labelled NO CATS was once again opened, and our furry friends who had been dispersed around the Back Courtyard were finally able to return. Most of them have entered through the TeaRoom and DW deck; the catflap in the main door is still being regarded with some suspicion. But all the usual characters are back in their familiar territory.  

Parker guarding the counter  (BC)

Entering through the Laundry Room, it’s clear that all is back to normal. Blonde Parker has posted herself on the facing counter – a test for those who don’t know her: she’s beautiful but dangerous. She has her favourite people; for everyone else she can be quick with the claws. I think she’s a little miffed that she no longer has her pile of towels to sleep on and guard; all the laundry is now put away in cupboards. Cat-beds have their occupants;  Bear is happy to find a warm home. JJ and Jade have an armed truce over who claims the bed on top of the drier.

Bear and Parker on the counter; Little John enjoying dinner; 
Jade on the chair, waiting for JJ - on the drier  - to move  (JS)

White walls, white painted cages, new lighting – the main room feels brighter. The Med Cage has been relocated and equipped with more counter-space and storage, with water, light and electric connections. We still have to work out how to cat-proof the door; it’s on a spring closer, but Eli has already learned how to cat-burgle his way in. A long counter runs the length of the first area with drawers and cupboards below, and space for lots of cat-beds above, which are quickly claimed. The couch by the Med Cage door is also very desirable property – for cats and humans alike.

Eli & Tyson approve of the couch (as does Justin!)  (JS)

Turn right at the Med Cage and the passage takes you towards the back deck. Currently it’s still full of the old cages; the “Newts” (the hoarded group who came to us last year from Newton) are sharing an upper respiratory infection, and they have all been caged in groups of two or three so that the med staff can monitor them more carefully. We are so grateful to be able to get them out of their pen, which will be fully sanitized before they return to it.  At the moment almost all the cages are occupied – 14 out of 15 in the main room, 4 on the deck and 3 in the TeaRoom. 

Ryan hopes to get out of  her cage soon; we hope she stays so friendly!  (BC)

Other cats are in for observation, or for recovery from dental procedures. Caging like this can be a useful socializing tool – shy little Ryan has blossomed since having all her teeth out; she loves having visitors and is happy to accepts attention. Let’s hope the friendliness continues when she’s released.

Weird boy Tucker is occasionally in "time out"  (BC)

One of the cages is semi-occupied; while renovations were going on, neurologically challenged Tucker went into foster-care with a staff member. We didn’t think he would be good at handling the upheaval of exile from the DoubleWide, but now he’s returned. Tucker has to have a cage reserved for his use; he doesn’t relate well to other cats, and can be aggressive, so needs a retreat from time to time. 

Flynn looks down with a judgemental eye (BC)

The process of return is happening steadily; the cats who enjoy the outdoor life are still able to come and go as they please. Not all the cage-top inhabitants have returned from the Deck; one who has is chonky Flynn who likes to sit on the edge and look down on the activity below.  He is occasionally joined by his “brother” Fonzie, but Fonzie is much more mobile and socialized with both cats and humans.

Fonzie also like the tree at the crossroads  (KH)

The orange Kamloops cats who usually used the TeaRoom as their winter quarters were never DoubleWide inhabitants, but they explored their way in from the TeaRoom entrance. Cheddar and his sidekick Kelvin were the first venturers and discovered that they could climb up and walk the upper paths.  Cheeto was a little slow to pick up the trend, and by the time he did, the other two were quite comfortable, while he was down below asking “How do I get up there?”

How do I get up there?  (JS)

Big thanks to our wonderful donors, to our Board for their vision and determination, to our own staff who've made it home again, and to all the volunteers who built cages and painted and helped in any way to make the Hauser House a warm and welcoming centre of Cat Sanctuary activity.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult, Kim Howe, Justin Saint