Today's snowfall took many of us in the Lower Mainland by surprise, but of course the sanctuary cats took it all in stride. Most decided inside was the nicest place to be, but there were a few intrepid (or simply stubborn) holdouts.
Monday, February 24, 2014
A snowy day at the cat sanctuary
Today's snowfall took many of us in the Lower Mainland by surprise, but of course the sanctuary cats took it all in stride. Most decided inside was the nicest place to be, but there were a few intrepid (or simply stubborn) holdouts.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Update: Terry
When I first wrote about Terry in October 2011, he was a shy boy who occasionally allowed pats but much more often could be found perched on high shelves from which he'd smack any would-be visitors.
Since then, he's gradually overcome much of his shyness. These days he's comfortable sitting on tables and lower shelves that put him much closer to humans. And far from seeming threatened or even put out by the prospect of human interaction, he actually seems to welcome it.
He even talks. It's not loud, but if you give him a gentle pat on the head, he responds with the most adorabe little "Mmh."
Since then, he's gradually overcome much of his shyness. These days he's comfortable sitting on tables and lower shelves that put him much closer to humans. And far from seeming threatened or even put out by the prospect of human interaction, he actually seems to welcome it.
He even talks. It's not loud, but if you give him a gentle pat on the head, he responds with the most adorabe little "Mmh."
Friday, February 7, 2014
Kirara
Kirara came to RAPS last year along with several other cats from the same household. They all live together in one of the back pens.
That particular pen has a number of friendly cats, so any visit there turns into a bit of a group visit. I got to spend a little one-on-one time with Kirara this week when she was brought into the doublewide so med staff could give her a check-up.
She's a sweet girl, and even though she didn't know me very well, she was happy to receive chin scratches, lifted her tail for back strokes, and gave relaxed yawns in between cuddles.
That particular pen has a number of friendly cats, so any visit there turns into a bit of a group visit. I got to spend a little one-on-one time with Kirara this week when she was brought into the doublewide so med staff could give her a check-up.
She's a sweet girl, and even though she didn't know me very well, she was happy to receive chin scratches, lifted her tail for back strokes, and gave relaxed yawns in between cuddles.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Update: Frieda and Blue
RAPS residents Frieda and Blue were recently adopted by Ann, a member of the cat sanctuary med staff team. These two cuties will be missed by staff and volunteers who knew them from the Old AIDS building at the sanctuary, but it's wonderful to see them enjoying living in a nice home.
The two get along just fine, and Ann says that Frieda has really come out of herself and turned into a playful crazy girl. When I visited last week, both were clearly enjoying all the comforts of home.
Answer: Oh yes.
The two get along just fine, and Ann says that Frieda has really come out of herself and turned into a playful crazy girl. When I visited last week, both were clearly enjoying all the comforts of home.
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| inspecting the visitor (and her big camera!) |
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| ready to receive pats |
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| hanging out in a box in between sessions of shred-the-tissue |
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| time to play "swat the cursor" |
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| two-tier cat games |
And here's Ann's video response to the question: "Have Frieda and Blue adjusted to their new home?"
Answer: Oh yes.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Gregory
Gregory is a somewhat shy but still friendly boy from the back left pen the sanctuary.
The back pens are often home to ferals who like to have a place where they can be close to their cat buddies but not too close to human activity. Gregory was put in a pen when he first arrived as it was impossible to tell how friendly he'd turn out to be. By the time RAPS staff realized he liked people, Gregory had gotten comfortable in his new home and gotten to know the other cats there, so they decided he's be happiest staying where he was. Visitors to the pen often ask who the friendly black cat is and wonder whether he's supposed to be in there or just snuck in from another part of the sanctuary.
The back pens are often home to ferals who like to have a place where they can be close to their cat buddies but not too close to human activity. Gregory was put in a pen when he first arrived as it was impossible to tell how friendly he'd turn out to be. By the time RAPS staff realized he liked people, Gregory had gotten comfortable in his new home and gotten to know the other cats there, so they decided he's be happiest staying where he was. Visitors to the pen often ask who the friendly black cat is and wonder whether he's supposed to be in there or just snuck in from another part of the sanctuary.
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| Gregory in a cage in the doublewide after being at the vet for a dental |
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| enjoying a chin scratch |
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| Gregory and Dell sharing rubs with each other and their human visitor |
Friday, January 17, 2014
Update: Precious
When I started my feeding shift in the doublewide on Monday evening, a very friendly black kitty I hadn't seen in there before approached me with a cheerful request for attention. She seemed familiar, but I just couldn't place her.
She turned out to be Precious, who arrived at the sanctuary last summer. She'd started off in the Connor building, and last I heard she'd been moved to one of the back pens. But Precious just loved people so much that staff decided she's be happier in the doublewide, where there are a lot more opportunities for her to spend time with staff and volunteers and make friends with visitors passing through.
Precious wasted no time in renewing her acquaintance with me, running up to me meowing to say hello, then weaving, rubbing, and reaching up to pat my legs. She truly does love spending time with her human friends.
She turned out to be Precious, who arrived at the sanctuary last summer. She'd started off in the Connor building, and last I heard she'd been moved to one of the back pens. But Precious just loved people so much that staff decided she's be happier in the doublewide, where there are a lot more opportunities for her to spend time with staff and volunteers and make friends with visitors passing through.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Teddy
Teddy came to RAPS as one of a number of older feral kittens. He was the first one of the bunch to purr, so for a time it seemed like he'd become friendly with people. But instead he regressed and never really did get totally comfortable with people.
He did love his Mario though, and could often be seen sleeping with him. Here's a photo of the two of them that I originally posted in 2009.
Now Mario has passed away, and Teddy really misses him. Leslie hopes he'll find a new cat friend to spend time with, as these days he spends too much time sitting by himself and looking lonely.
In the mean time, she's been spending time trying to draw him out with treats and quiet pats. Luckily, Teddy does sometimes allow a little human contact if approached slowly and not made to feel anxious. Tonight he let me stroke his head and give him chin scratches. After a little while, he even purred.
With a little help from staff and from our kitty comforters, who work with cats at the sanctuary who need a bit of extra help trusting people, Teddy might just accept a little human friendship into his life.
He did love his Mario though, and could often be seen sleeping with him. Here's a photo of the two of them that I originally posted in 2009.
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| Mario and Teddy photo provided by RAPS |
In the mean time, she's been spending time trying to draw him out with treats and quiet pats. Luckily, Teddy does sometimes allow a little human contact if approached slowly and not made to feel anxious. Tonight he let me stroke his head and give him chin scratches. After a little while, he even purred.
With a little help from staff and from our kitty comforters, who work with cats at the sanctuary who need a bit of extra help trusting people, Teddy might just accept a little human friendship into his life.
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