Shy Chai

Chai  (MW)

Some of our Sanctuary cats come directly to us – either by arrangement with a former owner, or through another shelter.  Cats that are adoptable go, if there is room, to the Adoption Centre. This summer and fall it has been very full of youngsters who were fostered by the many wonderful people who take on pregnant moms and see them through their last litters.  However, we still have cats coming in as local strays.  A group of these, this past summer, included pretty Chai and her buddies Dominique and Kahlua;  all spent a bit of time in the Adoption Centre but were obviously ferals, rather than just scared, shy cats, and were eventually transferred to us at the Sanctuary.

Chai (LBF)

They had an initial cooling-off period in cages before they were let out.  Many of our visitors know about the feral cat pens in the back, but what is not so obvious is that there are a lot of ferals in the front courtyard as well. Visitors rarely see them – there are a lot of places to hide – but those of us who volunteer know that most ferals prefer dawn and dusk to emerge and explore.  I need to spend some more front courtyard time to try and sort out who’s who – there’s a trio of little tabbies (Kahlua and Dominique are two of them) that I’m still trying to tell apart, and there are a whole lot more black cats – and nobody can hide like a black cat!

a favourite spot for watching through the fence... (KN)

The three of them split up;  Kahlua hangs out between the Hill House and the feral area known as the Old Rabbit Area;  Dominique can be found around the gazebo – and wherever chicken is on offer!  Chai preferred to stay in the vicinity of the Connor House. Dominique likes the Connor too, but she and Chai don't seem particularly close. As you can see, it’s very hard for Chai to be anonymous; we rarely have such a pretty girl as this and she stands out (when she’s not hiding).

on guard at the Connor  (KN)

My first instinct was to label her as a silver tabby – she has the clear tabby M on her head, and her darker markings are characteristic tabby.  But those blue eyes say something else, and she’s defined in our records as a lynx-point Siamese – a tabby/Siamese combination. Female cats can give birth to kittens sired by more than one male, so we don’t know whether Chai has her looks from the genetics of her ancestry, or whether a local Siamese male got lucky at the right time.

what iz?...

ewww....

do I have to?...  (KN)

She will go into the Connor building – especially if the door remains open and there is food on offer – but she’s wary about being confined, and her favourite places to hang out are on the various shelves on the porch. She likes to sit by the fence and watch for birds and rodents; she's obviously a would-be hunter!  I’ve not managed to pet her yet, but I’m told that when she is backed into a corner, she will (reluctantly) accept touch. She’s not as food-motivated as Dominique, and watching her eat, you get the feeling she’s a little picky, so finding her tame-the-feral button may not be easy.  But we have a lot of patient people – staff and volunteers – who will spend time to coax her out of hiding, and teach her that life at the Sanctuary is pretty good.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen, Karen Nicholson & Michele Wright

Tuggy & Plum

Plum & Tugboat  (LBF)

The Sanctuary cats come to us from many different places and for different reasons – but the most common label on the cage of a newcomer is “inappropriate urination”. Sometimes there is a medical reason for it, sometimes it’s a stress reaction, but when cats come to us with that label, it’s generally because their owner has decided they can’t handle it any more. And a cat who is labelled as a pee-er is not going to last long at a shelter unless it’s a “no-kill” one – which is why we spend so much time mopping up pee!

Tugboat   (MW)

Tugboat came to us with that label more than 10 years ago, already a mature cat. He’s now very much an elder statesman around the Sanctuary, dividing his time between the Tea Room, and the Double-Wide – currently he’s spending more time in the latter because it’s warmer. He’s a cat who has always been very needy of human attention; he loves to visit in the med-cage, and to receive cuddles. 

Tugboat   (JC)

He’s probably getting a little deaf, because the tone of his vocal demands has changed, as is characteristic in older cats. He's no longer the dapper gentleman in a tuxedo; these days his shirtfront is a little stained and he needs a little valeting.  Many of us make a point of visiting with Tuggy and sharing cuddles, or sitting with him on the couch when he’s feeling too comfy to move.

Plum  (MW)

Plum is also a pee-er – but it’s totally not her fault! She’s been with us about four years, one of a series of Manx-Syndrome cats, whose physical makeup causes them to be incontinent. This sweet dilute calico seems to have an always-dirty bum, and is one of the cats who receives a daily bath – a ritual she does not enjoy, but has learned to tolerate. She has the characteristic rotund shape of a true manx, and bounces around like a little rabbit. She is wary (after all, you might pick her up and bathe her!) but friendly and affectionate when she feels safe.

Plum  (KN)

Plum just adores Tugboat. Mostly he is tolerant of being adored – adoration by Plum comes with some pretty smelly consequences, after all.  But if he tucks himself up on a Double-Wide shelf, sooner or later, Plum will find him and settle in.  She’s less inclined to follow him out to the Tea Room, so he has to balance the advantages of staying warm with a smelly bed-buddy against a trek outside and a climb up to his basket on the countertop.

Plum LOOOVES Tugboat  (KN)

Recently Tugboat was found having a conversation on the couch with Colin – Colin is very much a couch cat, and one who seems to have a radar for other cats who need comforting.  Closer examination revealed that this was not a private conversation, but that a little lump of Plum could be found tucked under Tuggy.

Tugboat on a Plum cushion
visiting with Colin  (KN)

Sometimes he lies on her, more often she can be found lying on him. Heads snuggled close, there is obviously great affection between the two of them. Photographer Lisa caught them together, and offered a little bridal touch. 

Loving kisses....  (LBF)

As cats and people age, it’s comforting to have someone there for you, to keep you in touch with the world and to let you know that you continue to be loved.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen, Jackie Chapple, Karen Nicholson & Michele Wright

Pen 3 - Part 3

 

Finneas   (KN)

Over the last couple of weeks we’ve had an introduction to the teenagers in Pen 3, and started to identify the ones who may end up in their own forever-homes, and those who are people-wary and may never make that progression.  

Reinhardt & Lucius   (KN)

Part 1 introduced the Shakespearean crew:  William Shakespurr, Mewlius Caesar, Mercutio (who went straight to adoption) and Cornelius.  Part 2 offered the dark cats for Halloween: Shimmer, Sherbet, Gemini, Jason, Jenkins, Baker, Lucius and Holly. 

Reinhardt   (LBF)

Six more are presented this week – mostly tending on the shy side, but starting to make real progress in their comfort with being around humans.  The most wary of them is dark tabby Reinhardt;  he is cat-social but people-averse;  he is very good at finding hiding places and staying out of the way – and yet, he’s curious, and wants to see what’s going on.  On Sunday afternoon when I visited, there was a lot of scurrying around the pen – and Reinhardt had taken himself up on the roof of the cabin, and was soaking in the fall sun, and keeping an eye on things.

Golden   (KN)

The other two males are Golden (orange with strong tabby markings) and tabby and white Finneas.  Golden was obviously named by the same person who named his buddy Baker  as well as Banff and Creston, who are leukemia cats – there are lots of places that would make good cat-names!  Obviously, it’s a wonderful name for him!  Both Golden and Finneas are wary of contact, but interested in activity.

Baby & Beans  (LBF)

The three females are torbie Scarlett, calico Baby and tortie Beans. All three are on the shy end of the spectrum, allowing some touch, but not really comfortable with it yet.  Baby is active and curious, and endlessly interested in what’s outside the pen.  She is often one of the first to the gate when a visitor arrives, and she listens and watches for exciting movement. 

I know there's a mouse out there!  (BC)

Pen 3 backs on to the exterior of the sanctuary and stupidly brave mice are known to regret their bravery around these cats – one of the occasional penalties of being on a morning shift is to find and remove the victims.

Beans  (KN)

Beans is delightful – torties have a reputation for cattitude (or tortietude), but Beans has it only in the nicest way. She hovers around where the action is, and occasionally ventures close enough for contact; she likes treats but is not as food-motivated as the guys are!

Miz Scarlett, posing   (BC)

Sweet Scarlett (named for the actor or the character?) holds herself slightly aloof.  She doesn’t seem to be part of the crowd, but she can stand up to cats like Jason who get in her space, and send them away with a smart smack!  She’s a beautiful girl – and it feels like she knows it; watch her pose!

Scarlett & Baby   (BC)

It will be interesting to see how the dynamic of this pen changes when the most human-social cats go to the Adoption Centre – will the shyer ones relax when there is more space?  We will look forward to coaxing them into more contact with us.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen, Brigid Coult & Karen Nicholson

Walking the Dark Side

golden-eyed Sherbet  (KN)

In last week’s blog I introduced a few of the Pen 3 newcomers; this week, in true Halloween style, I’m turning to the black cats (and tuxes) who make it their home.

Shimmer  (MD)

Shimmer is the friendliest of the blacks – hovering at the gate to welcome a visitor, and ready to accept attention. He is small and sleek, with lots of personality, and is one of most agile cats when presented with wand-toy play. He’s on the list to go to the Adoption Centre soon, probably with Jenkins and Lucius.

Jenkins  (BC)

Tuxedo Jenkins was pretty much at ease with us from the beginning. He likes to be around people and lap-sits when he trusts.  He can usually be found hanging out with his friend Lucius, who I will include here, though he’s not one of the blacks – they may not be with us for long, because they’re good candidates for adoption.  Lucius is a stocky boy with beautiful classic-tabby whorls – rather more black than tabby. He’s a bit bossy around the other cats – assertive and dominant, so that some of the more timid ones stay out of his way.

Lucius & Shimmer play rough  (LBF)

Once Jenkins has gone for adoption, it will be easier to zero in on Baker, his “twin” - much shyer, and good at finding hiding places, though he is friendly when he feels he can trust.  The fourth tuxedo of the group (the third is Mewlius Caesar, introduced last week) is pretty Holly – a long-haired girl, unlike the sleek boys.  

Holly  (KN)

Holly’s fur is still growing and changing – she has more than a hint of the ghost-grey that front-courtyard Mozart shows off, and her grey ruff gives the effect of mutton-chop whiskers.

Gemini & Sherbet  (BC)

There are three other plain black cats – but easily distinguished from each other.   Gemini is the smallest; she has a look of Shimmer (we’ve no idea how these cats are related to each other, but it’s likely that at least some are litter-mates).  One of her eyes is a little larger than the other.

Sherbet  (KN)

Sherbet is the most elegant of the cats – a long-haired black, he nevertheless manages to stay sleek and tidy, showing off his plumed tail. In the right light he has the most astonishing eyes – dark orange, almost copper-coloured.

Jason  (BC)

Normally the rule is that when a cat arrives with a name, that name remains – it’s only when nameless cats arrive that med-staff have the privilege of naming them,  But someone didn’t like his given name of Galloway for some reason, so, since he arrived with us on Friday the 13th, he was given the name of Jason. Jason is still a little skittish, but the offering of chicken tidbits has established a bargain of taste for touch and the motivation is strong enough to bring him up onto a lap. He and orange Cornelius seem to enjoy each other’s company, and Jason’s leadership is helping us coax Cornelius into allowing touch more easily.

Cornelius & Jason  (BC)

This is a pen of cats who could easily have tipped to the feral side, but the presence of a few key individuals who enjoy attention, and the steady work of the Kitty Comforters, as well as staff and other volunteers, holds much hope that most of these cats will eventually find their own homes.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen, Brigid Coult,
Melanie Draper & Karen Nicholson

To Purr or Not to Purr...

Cornelius & Holly  (LBF)

Last week’s blog reminded me of the work we had to put in with Mozart and his buddies to get them to accept human attention. Remembering them at that age also reminds me of the youngsters we have at present in Pen 3.

Garth & Sierra  (LBF) - currently in Pen 4

Dell & Gregory  (BC) - Best bros forever

Pen 3 has always been a home for ferals. It held an assortment of little tabbies, it was always a stop for visiting with Gregory and our beloved Dell, it became home for a colony of cats who originally came from Merritt. Of them all, only Dell and Gregory were truly tame; the others would sometimes tolerate contact, and a few cat-whisperers broke through the barriers with cats like Napoleon, but most of them would hide when the gate opened.

William Shakespurr  (MW)

This summer we helped out with a Calgary rescue dealing with a hoarding situation. Knowing that we would have a batch of newcomers arriving, there was a scurry to catch and transfer the remaining cats from Pen 3 to the larger Pen 4 – also home to ferals – and to clean the pen out for new inhabitants.  The transfer seems to have gone well; Pen 4 has sufficient space and hiding places that the in-comers have settled comfortably, and there appears to have been no tension with the original inhabitants.  As with all our newcomers, the Alberta cats were caged for a while for assessment and to allow vaccines to take hold.  With few exceptions, they were released into Pen 3 and given time to settle.

Jason & Cornelius  (BC)

As is most usual, initially we didn’t see much of them. Between the main cabin and the smaller houses around, there were many places to hide. Typically for cats, they were most active early in the morning, and at twilight, and Sunday visitors often saw nothing of them.  But the Kitty Comforters have been digging in, and every time I’m in with them, I see progress.  Some were instantly friendly; there are a couple (Jenkins and Lucius) who would probably be at the Adoption Centre if it wasn’t already so full of kittens!  We currently have seventeen of them – all at that tricky teenager stage where they might tame up – and they might not!

Mewlius Caesar (KN)

I’m not going to try and introduce all seventeen – but the blog title comes from the fact that someone who named them was a Shakespeare lover, so you’ll get a couple of the Bard’s cats today.

William Shakespurr (KN)

They are led, of course by William Shakespurr – actually, “led” is the wrong word, because he’s a very shy boy and reluctant to make contact, though he’s curious about visitors.  I love his markings – he looks as if someone gave him bangs with his haircut.

Mewlius Caesar & Holly (LBF)

Equally shy is Mewlius Caesar. We were a bit concerned by a potential FeLV reading of his blood-test results when he came in, and he spent extra time in a cage before a second round of tests proved to be clear. I suspect his name came from his vocalizing – he was a very loud cat to have in the Double-Wide – but now that he’s out in the pen, he’s pretty quiet again. He is easily distinguished from the others by his Groucho Marx-type moustache.

Cornelius (LBF)

There was another Shakespearean cat called Mercutio (friend of Romeo, in “Romeo and Juliet”) but he was so “ridiculously friendly” (in Valerie’s words) that he never made it to Pen 3, but went straight to the Adoption Centre and found his forever home. My favourite of these Bardic cats is Cornelius (there are two Shakespearean examples of Cornelius – one in “Hamlet” and one in “Cymbeline”). This pretty boy is a little wary, but willing to venture contact – and he loves chicken.  He also likes other cats – he can often be found hanging out with Holly (who is putting on grey fluff to challenge Mozart) or black Jason.  

More of Jason when we meet the other black cats in a future blog...

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen, Brigid Coult, Karen Nicholson, Michele Wright 

Teens All Grown Up

Mozart, Caleb, Benny (LBF)

Real kittens – the tiny cute kind – almost never come to us at the Sanctuary.  There are two main reasons – their immune systems are not yet fully developed and they are susceptible to any number of infections they can catch from adult cats, and they need a LOT of handling to get them used to being with people.  The common wisdom is that up to 10-12 weeks old they can be socialized fairly easily. After that, it’s a much more individual thing – some tame easily, and other maintain their feral instincts.

Two happy adopted girls:
Aphrodite (MD) & Leona (ACA)

I have written before about our aging population, but we do also have a fair number of younger cats – most of whom have come in at around 6-months-plus as young ferals.  We will usually try to keep them apart from the general population and have our Kitty Comforters spend concentrated time with them, helping to learn that humans can be trusted. With some of them, the magic happens, a bond is created, and a cat finds a home - tortie Aphrodite and blonde Leona had early established themselves as the ones most receptive to human attention in the McLeod pen 6 and are now spoiled house-cats; the rest of their family prefer to remain out of reach and are part of the feral population in pen 1. 

Mr Megafloof - Mozart  (KN)

In a similar way, we had a group of “teens” in a separate area of the old Moore House.  Much time and patience was spent working with Benny, Leo, Caleb, Pistachio, Mozart and Mason, and for the most part they resisted all efforts.  We finally conceded defeat and moved them to the front courtyard.

Benny's another guy with cattitude  (KN)

Eighteen months later, and they are for the most part relaxed and happy. Pistachio and Mason really tamed up, and were adopted within a few months.  The others have made themselves totally at home in the front courtyard population.   Benny, the long-haired black boy, can be told by his characteristic curled plume of a tail.  He is now actually a little warier of human contact than his formerly shy buddy, blond Leo, who is more comfortable around people these days – especially if chicken is offered.  Leo is now one of those cats who will roll over and accept tummy-rubs from starry-eyed visitors.

Leo is one of our prettiest front-courtyard cats (KN)

Handsome Caleb has become a social butterfly with a number of other cats, but he is obviously most relaxed and at ease with his brothers, and can often be found snuggling or playing with them. The leader of the group is usually Mr Floof – Mozart (also known as Poptart).

"Handsome" is definitely the word for our Caleb (MW)

The incomparable Mozart  (KN)

There is no way this boy can be confused with anyone else – in both appearance and personality, he shines! Visitors often ask for him, and he’s usually happy to be fussed over for a while – until he decides he’s had enough, and disappears into the feral area, which is out of bounds to visitors.  He is happiest when the other cats are around him. We have often been asked about his adoptability, and the sad fact is that Mozart is a pee-er, and would probably not make a good house-cat.  But along with his brothers, he makes a wonderful Sanctuary cat! 

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Ana Carolina Albuquerque, Lisa Brill-Friesen,

Melanie Draper, Karen Nicholson, Michele Wright

Lots of Leukemia Cats

 

Jane   (BC)

In “the bad old days”, when a cat was blood-tested with an FeLV+ diagnostic result, that was Bad News; most shelters would put the cat down immediately.  Both FeLV and FIV were conditions that cannot be “cured” but only treated empirically.  There are vaccines for both, but they don’t help the cat who already has the condition.

Hutch in hiding  (KN)

We know much more about both viruses now, and neither has to be a death sentence.  Many of our FIV cats live quite long lives, and can find loving homes if they are either solo cats or if they get along well with feline companions. Leukemia cats should only live with other leukemia cats – but with care, they can live well and happily.

Krinkle  (BC)

But there are still many shelters who simply don’t have the space or the facilities to hold a cat for any length of time till a home is found, and there is still much ignorance about what is entailed in having a cat with either condition.  For cats in that situation, there is RAPS Cat Sanctuary. Since we opened, we have consistently had groups of cats brought to us from other jurisdictions, and the numbers come and go. Sometimes we have more FIV cats; sometimes there are more with leukemia. The former condition is common among feral males, depending on how much fighting there is;  the latter may occur anywhere, but is less common, though more deadly.

Wilco  (BC)

Feline leukemia eventually kills most persistently infected cats within three years of diagnosis. The virus most commonly causes lymphoma or anemia, but because it suppresses the immune system, the cats are susceptible to other infections – hence our care with sanitizing before working with them.  Some cats may test positive on blood tests when they are young kittens but test negative later on if their immune system has been able to eliminate the infection. Similarly, some cats may test negative at one point and test positive later on, as the virus progresses through various stages in the body. We have had leukemia cats who have lived quite long lives with us (I’m thinking of Ooly, who lived to the age of 18); some cats have body systems that manage to suppress the virus, and that is always our hope, especially with the younger cats.

Pewter  (LBF)

Currently, we’re at an upswing in numbers with new leukemia cats coming in to us. Pauline introduced us to Banff and Creston not long ago, and they have settled well and made themselves at home; a visitor is instantly welcomed and lap time demanded.  Other arrivals are out and about in the leukemia area, but are very wary about contact with humans.  Krinkle and Pewter prefer to stay high up and out of reach;  blond Hutch is an expert at finding hiding places;  Khaya is timid, but approachable; Furgie is comfortable running around with the other three black cats. Recent arrivals include a trio who have come from Calgary – Adria, Wilco and Jane are all young and friendly and will do well when they are released from their introductory cage-stays.  

Adria  (BC)

There may be no cure yet for FeLV, but with constant monitoring and quick reactions by the medical staff, who watch for signs like weight loss, fevers, eye and mouth conditions, we will do our best to keep these sweet newcomers in the best condition we can manage, and give them lots of love as we do so.  And we’ll look forward to profiling them as individuals, so that through the blog, you can love them too.

Khaya    (CP)

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen, Brigid Coult, Carol Porteus, Karen Nicholson