Encountering Figaro

Figaro  (MW)

This handsome boy with the distinctive markings has been with us about seven years, and has established himself as a central figure in the front courtyard.

...tucked away safely  (MD)

He came from a Sunshine Coast shelter that had to close, and when he arrived he was wary and not ready to come for coaxing. Arm’s-length was tolerated, tossing treats was appreciated, but petting was not something he was ready for. What he did enjoy was the company of other cats.  

Figaro and Reefer snuggle together  (KN)

There were several others who came from the same place, and many of the older ones have now passed: Wickem, Gidget and HunnyBun all lived in the front courtyard;  old-lady SweetPea is still with us. She too is a semi-feral, but on the shyer end of the spectrum.  Figaro’s friend Reefer likes to play, but he also is not much into being petted.

The favourite wall pose  (MW)

Figaro, though, has become very social. He’s always been part of the Boys Club in the front area, and can be found with a variety of feline buddies, but he’s also settled to being handled by humans.  He likes best to be up a level, and mooches shamelessly from the coping around the small trees, dancing in place to attract attention.  He will hop up on the benches and beg for treats, occasionally settling in a lap, though he prefers to be snuggled beside the volunteer or visitor in question.

Playing "king" in the gazebo   (KN)

He roams the whole front courtyard area, and may be found in any of the shelters, though recently I’ve been finding him with the papasan chair crowd at the top of the stairs. If there are handouts, Figaro will be out there – getting hyped on cat-nip, nibbling on cat-grass, chasing a rolling dental treat and playing with it before crunching down. 

pensive...   (KN)

Figaro is the perfect example of a cat that might be adoptable, but who is definitely happier where he is – feline friends, room to roam safely, treats and attention – but not ready to bond with anyone or to give up all the advantages of what I’m sure he feels is the ideal life at the Sanctuary.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Melanie Draper, Karen Nicholson, Michele Wright

Front Courtyard Sweet Pea

Sweet Pea (MW)

In 2016 we were contacted by workers at a shelter on the Sunshine Coast that was closing down. Like many such organizations, it was set up privately, and was mostly a labour of love for the founder.  It focused on rescue, but was not organized for continued funding or for succession planning.  As the owner’s health declined, it became obvious that things couldn’t continue, and her friends called us. Over the course of the following year we took in more than twenty cats.

A wet-day excursion  (KN)

In the back courtyard we established the first colony in Pen 6; we knew their records and that they knew each other, so they didn’t have to be caged initially – the pen was their cage till they settled. These included PawPaw, Simba, Blue, Laredo and many others. Also from there was the one-and-only Honey Bear, a snowshoe Siamese with electric blue eyes and a neurological problem. In subsequent months more cats joined the front courtyard, this time via a short cage stay. These included Sparks, Wickem, Gidget, Figaro, Reefer, HunnyBun and Sweet Pea.

Hiding out in a cat-tree  (GA)

Many of them were already seniors when they came to us and have since passed; Sweet Pea is one of the last cats of that group of refugees; she, Reefer and Figaro still roam the front courtyard. She was a September 2017 arrival, and is now about 14 years old – she arrived at Happy Cat Haven as a kitten. All three cats came to us as ferals, but the two boys have become used to petting and treats, and have merged well with the general population. Sweet Pea remains on the feral end of the spectrum, but she doesn’t really like to be alone and needs other cat companions. 

Cuddles with friend Libby - now gone  (LBF)

She’s our third Sweet Pea – the first was a well-loved messy little manx with a sweet trill of a voice; the second was one of the Kootenays cats who was recently adopted out. In a courtyard with a lot of black cats and tuxes, it’s easy to identify  this Sweet Pea by her thin white moustache marking. 

On the climbing frame on a wet day  (KN)

She can usually be found around the covered courtyard that is known as the Old Rabbit Area, but when there are visitors, she emerges to hover around the climbing platform – especially when volunteer Allison is there on Sunday afternoons. She is still wary of touch, but she trusts Allison and will come to her for petting and treats, and she has a few other volunteers she will approach for attention.

Sweet Pea  (MW)

She’ll often be found lurking under cover, watching everything that goes on. A little patience, a treat or two, and she will dare to emerge for her share of petting.  I suspect she’s never going to be really comfortable with contact, but she now knows that nobody will hurt her, and she’s seeing some of the benefits of life at the Sanctuary.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Graham Akira, Lisa Brill-Friesen,
Karen Nicholson, Michele Wright

Who Are They?

 

Salem, playing with Honeydew & Leo  (PC)

Volunteer Pauline Chin is present during Saturday visiting hours, and offers this blog.

Word of the Cat Sanctuary’s public reopening has slowly spread and is gaining momentum.  Some visitors have come from as far (so far) as Kamloops just to see the cats.  At least 80% of visitors are first-timers.  Their eyes are aglow and wide as they take in the incredible sights.  With that, comes the inevitable questions, “who’s this?” and “what’s that kitty’s name?”.

Here are the 6 most notorious mystery cats that have graced visitors with their presence in the front courtyard:

Meet the calico sisters.

Kiwi at ease   (MW)

Easiest to identify is Kiwi.  She’s black with orange and white markings.  She’s still warming up to people now that weekends are full of humans, but that’s far from her previous don’t-touch-me-dash.  Of the three, Kiwi is the clearest loner.  Don’t be offended if you only get in a couple of pets before she flees.

Honeydew  (MW)

Next is Honeydew.  Upon first glance, she looks the same as Melon.  They both sport the over-cut bangs and white bodies.  The main differences are Honeydew has a near-continuous trail of splotches on her back and a white chin.  Her personality now is much friendlier and she will interact with strangers.  She still likes Salem, but doesn’t rely on him like in the past.  Honeydew happily hangs out with other cats.

Melon   (MW)

Melon has the most white fur of the sisters.  Her back has a few splotches of orange and black, as if she walked beneath a table dripping wet paint.  She wears a permanent black goatee.  Melon enjoys the company of other cats over humans.  Get her interested with a toy or treats. 

Kiwi prefers the swing canopy to the swing seat (PC)

It’s worth noting that all three will scale the fence and sit atop either the umbrella or swing set.  If you think seeing them up there is shocking, wait until they leap down out of nowhere as if it were raining cats.

Together - but not too much! Melon & Honeydew  (PC)

On to team black!

Salem with Melon  (MW)

Big boy Salem has maintained his harem of girl cats and has also attracted a few others to relax with.  (He’s from Lethbridge, just like the sisters and a handful of others.)  He’s gained some weight and a bronze tan over the 2 years he’s been here.  If he were human, he’d probably sport a gold chain and sunglasses.  His eyes are in the yellow-green spectrum.  Still confident and friendly as ever, he welcomes everyone to join his cuddle club.

Reefer   (MW)

Reefer’s features are more rounded than Salem’s.  His eyes are more yellow-gold.  He too, has a bronze tan from the sun.  Sometimes, he rolls around and ends up wearing all the dust.  

Boxed Reefer (PC)

Reefer prefers staying dry and avoids the misters we use on hot days.  He loves catnip toys.  While he doesn’t have a cat harem, he’s delighted by all the extra admiration from visitors.  He often flops over for affection and is easy to befriend.

Gidget - "Pet me, please!" - KN

Last, but not least is Gidget.  She is a quiet, small black cat who came in with Wickem - though they didn't remain together.  Visitors have remarked about her curly question mark tail.  Her unique feature is her cleft-like mouth; her lips seem to always be slightly agape. 

Gidget - "Do I have to get up?"  (PC)

 I make an effort to wake her up before opening, so she has a chance to interact with visitors. She’s a leg-rubber and can take people by surprise.  She’s sought out more attention this summer than the whole 3.5 years she’s been here.  Gidget became a fast favourite.

Reefer playing  (KN)

If you’re a newcomer, these 6 cats are nice to get to know.  Playing Cat Bingo is another way to familiarize yourself with popular cats.  So, why not learn new names and impress your family or friends?  The cats appreciate being called correct names, too.

Blog by Pauline Chin.

Photos by Pauline Chin, Karen Nicholson & Michele Wright

Sanctuary Black Friday

Black Friday has become the name for the day that follows US Thanksgiving – a day when the concern is less for thanksgiving and more for the bargains to be found in stores. I have a profound lack of interest in the commercial “bargains” to be found on Black Friday, but I love the company of my black feline buddies when I work at the Sanctuary on a Friday morning!

Lancelot is usually found in the papasan chair outside the Single-Wide (MW)

Pretty Layla has one clouded eye, but it doesn't prevent her from leaping from one shelf to another (MW)

Reefer loves to play - preferably with someone else, but if nobody's available, he'll find something to do alone.  (MD)

Cole wants attention, but is a little inclined to swat when he gets it (TV)

Pretty Miss Georgie still tends to hold court in the cage where she first lived - that is, when she's not lurking hopefully near the Single-Wide door. (MW)

Tubby Jay-Z knows all the best places to lounge! (MW)

Belligerent little Celia guards the tea-room from all other cats. (MW)

The sign says "towels only", but Cole doesn't let a little thing like that bother him! (TV)

Tyson is helping to get coffee ready for break-time (TV)

Handsome Rudolph, in Pen 5, is accompanied so often by his girlfriend Salish - just occasionally he needs a little alone-time... (MW)

Gigi and Kermit, in Pen 8, love to play together  (MD)

I think the best bargain of all is to be found in the love found at the Cat Sanctuary – love between cats, between humans and cats, and vice versa.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Melanie Draper, Tanisha Vincent, Michele Wright

Calendar 2019 out-takes

It’s coming.... it’s coming....

Jasper: "Listen up, folks!"

It’s almost time for the new RAPS Cat Sanctuary Calendar for 2019!

Reefer: "Did you say it's coming?"

Once again, photographer Michele Wright provided a great selection of photos from the Sanctuary inhabitants, and once again, it was hard to make choices, and to bring the final numbers down to the chosen fourteen.

Pico: "Where is it?"

We hope that you will hurry to get your calendars ordered so you can see who made it – and so that you can plan your Christmas lists so that you can give Cat Sanctuary gifts to all your friends and families.

Palma - we loved the colours of this

The photos in this blog are some of the ones we loved, but that for one reason or another just didn't make it into the final selection.  Sometimes it was because we already had a photo of that cat; sometimes we didn't need another black one; sometimes it was a good shot, but perhaps not a calendar picture you might want for an entire month.

Handsome tortie Blaze was just beaten by another tortie.

I'd asked Michele for a couple of pair or group shots, and we loved this one of Walker and Capilano playing together.  But for me, one of Michele's talents is eye-contact with cats, and these guys weren't watching the camera!

Walker is the only creature Capilano loves

Pico is so photogenic!  But she'd already featured in the 2018 calendar, and much as we love her, it was too soon for a repeat - plus, we already had a tree-climber!

Pico is a fearless climber

Everyone who works in the Single-Wide knows and loves Bossanova - though his love isn't given to everyone! His was the last photo that we reluctantly moved into the "not 2019" column.

Life is a serious business for Bossanova

Sophia always reminds me of an elderly lady with wild hair - especially, when she's just had a body-shave to deal with her constantly-matting fur!  She was a cat I ended up deciding not to add because she one of our old Moore House cats, and therefore a bit more fragile than some. It's so hard when we lose a calendar cat, and have to see their image months after they've gone. We lost Tricia and Faith who featured in the 2018 calendar; Sophia and another couple of cats ended up being put in the "no" pile for potential health reasons.

Sophia says "We are not amused!"

Looking over these photos, I can't help but smile - but I think you'll be smiling too, when you see the photos in Calendar 2019. Copies will be available in all the RAPS facilities - the 5 Road City Shelter, the 6 Road Sanctuary, both Thrift Stores and at the Hospital as well as online - and they make wonderful Christmas gifts.
When you give, they live... every calendar sold supports RAPS cat-care.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Michele Wright

A Front Courtyard Trio

Figaro - MW

From time to time we still have cats coming in from a privately run Sunshine Coast shelter that is reducing numbers in preparation for closing. One trio that arrived together ended up caged together in the Hill House, and, a year later, they can still be found in the same area, now that they’re out and about.

Figaro (L) & Spirit (R) - MW

The most striking one of the three is Figaro, introduced a few weeks back. Figaro is sometime confused with Spirit, also a handsome tuxedo, but Figaro’s facial markings are much more defined, and he is definitely more shy with humans.

Figaro hiding - MW

He is interested in us, and will accept treats if they’re thrown his way, but he’s usually not ready for more than the odd fleeting touch; he's very selective in the people he will approach, and from whom he will accept petting.  What he does like is to be touched by other cats! He has shown himself to be something of a cat-magnet in the front courtyard, and has a following of friends to rival Daniel’s.

Reefer loves to play - MD

Many of them are little black cats – I’m still trying to sort out Beetle and Frisky, Cyrano, Shady and Reefer.

Handsome boy! - MW

Reefer was the second of the trio in the Hill House cage. He’s less shy than some of the others, and is one of the cats that seems to have a constant low-grade cold – at least, he can mostly be distinguished by a slightly snotty nose, though it doesn’t slow him down at all. He and Figaro romp and play-fight, especially when egged on by a little catnip

Reefer & Figaro haing fun - MW

The third of the trio is a very different sort of cat.

Hunny Bun - MD

Her name is Hunny Bun, and we’re told she was found as a kitten in the same place as Honey Bear, the stunning Siamese cross in the back courtyard– it’s possible that they’re litter mates, despite their very different appearances, because female cats in heat are quite indiscriminate about their partners, and litter-mates may have more than one sire.  Honey Bear came to us before the other three, presumably because he has a neurological problem and was therefore easier to catch!

You can't see me! - MW

Hunny Bun is very shy, wary of humans, and quick to find herself a hiding place when approached. Like Reefer and Figaro, she spends most of her time in the feral cat area we call “The Old Rabbit Area”- a section of the courtyard that is covered but has an outdoor feeling. All the shelves in it are draped so that feral cats can feel safely hidden – unlike the beds in the Connor or the Hill House, which are uncovered.

Hunny Bun on the guarded prowl - MW

We have a number of cats who arrived as ferals and now are quite relaxed with human contact – Jamie, Gilbert, Pogo, Latte... to name just a few. We hope that with time and patience, these three may join the “I Love Humans” club at the Sanctuary.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Melanie Draper & Michele Wright