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

Pemberly

Pemberly (BC)

Pretty little Pemberly came to us this past summer, like last week’s blogged cats, Mayday and Sparrow, but from a different area. She was found with her litter of six kittens near the home of one of our volunteers, and quickly trapped and brought to the Adoption Centre. The kittens were young enough to be tamed fairly easily, but not so with the young mom – she was not happy with the new surroundings, and it was decided to bring her to the Sanctuary..

A dignified presence  (BC)

It’s tempting to put her in the “just another little black cat” category – and goodness knows we have enough of those in the Front Courtyard! - but Pemberly is a little more identifiable than most. She has a little white locket on her chest – but so does Texas cat Alyssa – plus odd white hairs in her black fur and on her belly. Where Pemberly stands out is that she has lovely white feathers in her ears. Why is ear hair so pretty in cats, and so un-pretty in humans?!

Still anxious in her cage  (BC)

Her cage time was in the Connor House, and she was lucky enough to be in one of the large cages, which meant that Kitty Comforters could come and sit with her without doubling themselves up to fit into one of the smaller ones. Like most newcomers, she was fearful, but didn’t express it with the hissing and spitting she had shown in the Adoption Centre – she just pressed herself against the wall, and allowed herself to be touched. 

Asking for petting  (BC)

Before long she came to the realization that humans were not too bad, and was accepting petting while Mayday and Sparrow were still warning us to stay away. It’s likely that she has had some human contact before – quite possibly she had a home and escaped before she could be spayed.

Comfy on the couch  (BC)

She was one of the cats who preferred to remain in her cage once it was opened, and when it was finally sanitized for another cat, she moved to a nearby cage for a while.  She obviously likes to have something at her back, and doesn’t explore all over the courtyard, like the other two.  Currently she can usually be found in one of two places, depending on mood and weather. There is a seating area between the Connor House and the Leukemia cats’ pen, and Pemberly tucks herself onto the back of a couch, or occasionally into one of the cat-caves. If there are not too many other cats around, she will come out and visit; once Mayday gets pushy, she retreats. She’s not cat-antisocial, but she likes her space. 

Waiting by the gate (BC)

On warmer days she can often be found sitting near the entrance gate or in the covered area close by. She knows that people are a source of petting;  food is not the passion it is for some of the others, and she doesn’t like being part of the crowd, but quiet time with a quiet person is satisfying. 

A regal greeting  (KN)

She’s still a little timid, and not a lap-cat yet, but I think with patience she could be. We have her on the “possibly adoptable” list, but would like to see her establish a relationship with a potential adopter before going anywhere. The problem, of course, is black cat syndrome – possible adopters don’t always take time to see the personality behind the black fur. For black cat lovers, Pemberly is definitely worth taking time to get to know. 

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult & Karen Nicholson

Mayday & Sparrow

 

Mayday & Sparrow (BC)

As new visitors walk though the Sanctuary gates, they are alerted to some of our spicier kitties by the presence of a collar. The colour of the accessory doesn’t matter, but it always signals “be careful!”. In fact, many of the collared cats are known and loved by staff and volunteers, but for the most part we also know the signals that that cat in question got out of bed on the wrong side that day, or that it’s had just a little too much attention. And for the most part, it signals a willingness to bite when the cat has had enough.

Mayday makes the most of the KCs comforts  (KN) 

That’s a very different proposition from some of the uncollared cats, who may also have shed their share of human blood. The youngsters, in particular, have come in as ferals, been terrified in cages, and learned that once released, there are many places that they can hide and feel safe. But they also learn that there are humans who bring delicious food as treats, and that other cats are enjoying the goodies, and they end up being drawn into the crowd that enjoys the handouts.

Sparrow  (KN)

For some, it’s a very long process – cats like Speckle and Kahlua had been with us several years before they learned to enjoy contact. Deelia and Marmalade are usually part of the begging crowd, but are always at a distance – they’re still too wary to enjoy much in the way of actual contact. Chutney has eased into petting through Carol’s steady coaxing and delicious tidbits.

Mayday and Sparrow waiting hopefully  (BC)

Among the “where’s the food?” crowd are several youngsters who came into our care this past summer. Between maintenance and refurbishing the DoubleWide, staff members Ken and Lisa are also responsible for the trapping of colonies of kittens who would probably not survive otherwise. There were several colonies in Langley which provided an inundation of kittens for to come into RAPS foster-care with the dedicated folks like Kati to foster. Mayday is the bigger one – a slim tuxedo with an inverted V-shaped blaze on his face.  

Mayday (BC)

Ken and Lisa were focused on collecting the moms and kittens, but when they spotted Mayday limping around with a paw wound, they knew they needed to bring him in.  He was obviously a survivor of an earlier litter – probably around a year old. He was caged in the Connor House to heal and proved to be a typical hissy boy who quickly discovered that humans were less fearful than he had first thought. The hisses eased and though he was not exactly tame, the KCs were able to visit with him.

Early days feeling safer under a chair  (BC)

Now released, Mayday loves the opportunity for tidbits, and is quite willing to approach and smack the food out of your hand. He bites, not because he is vicious in any way – he’s just so anxious to get the food before anyone else that he doesn’t aim well with his teeth. Mostly, he uses his paws, and his very sharp claws!

Sparrow (BC)

The smaller cat is tabby/white Sparrow - with beautiful classic tabby markings - trapped from the same colony, though she was a teen mom, and went to Kati for fostering. The parental instinct didn’t swing into action, and when Kati found her beating up her kittens, Sparrow was sent to the Sanctuary while Kati bottle-fed the babies.  

Begging for goodies  (BC)

Sparrow is the perfect name for her – she darts around like a little bird, and will often get to a bit of food from under another cat’s nose. She’s not ready for physical contact;  when a tidbit is offered at her level she will look longingly at it, and perhaps smack at it, but she’s not ready to risk approaching closer than just beyond arms-length. Both Sparrow and Mayday are chickaholics and quick to be on the scene when Carol or I arrive. Temptations are good, but real chicken....mmm...

So keen, she dances with impatience  (DW)

With both of them, I think it’s just a matter of time and patience. I made breakthrough with Dr Flint in the Back Courtyard last week when he very gently accepted food from my hands – before that, it had to be tossed to him and I have my share of hand scratches from his smacks. I can put up with a few more marks in the process of convincing Mayday and Sparrow that they too have nothing to fear at the Sanctuary. 

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult, Karen Nicholson, Dehbie Wolanski

Blog #500

Kojak  (MW)
- and many other leukemia cats I've loved and lost

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love spreadsheets – not necessarily for financials, but to keep my life organised. I use them for choir, for resources and planning, for past repertoire and reports. I use them to log my own library, to track gifts given and received, to plan holiday trips.  And of course, I use them for a whole lot of Sanctuary stuff, especially around my writing work.

Dell & his beloved Gregory (BC)
- follow all the sub-links for Dell's early story

When I took over the blog from Claire in the summer of 2014 I didn’t imagine I’d still be doing it more than eleven years later. Claire began the Neko Files blog five years before that, and it played an enormous part in helping me get to know the cats I was working with. It was based on her skills as a photographer, and formatted as three or four short vignettes each week, with pictures and small profiles of the cats who were her models. Photography was not my skill, but I hoped that I could maintain the blog with one weekly offering, with the assistance of other volunteers both in writing and images. 

Bossanova (KN)
 - scared feral to lovebug in the SW

Marianne & friends (Selena Marchetti)
- Marianne founded the Kitty Comforters

Marianne Moore was a blog contributor till 2018; Pauline Chin from 2018 to 2021; more recently Anne Marchetti has been offering profiles of cats she loves. I have co-written with other volunteers, transcribing or editing their work. But the majority of the work has been mine. The online Blogger tally stands at 1,283 blogs since Claire began, and my spreadsheet indicates that this is my 500th solo blog, with another 100 or so being by other contributors or co-written.

Elvis  (KN) - now safely adopted

Sissy  (BC) 
- I never knew her well, but I can't resist that face!

I still return to some of the earlier ones, for memories of cats I’ve loved. My Facebook profile pic remains one of Sissy (above), who I met in my first year, initially through Claire’s blog.  Clicking through cat profiles can lead from one link to another – the story of  Dell’s arrival, and how much of a lovebug he became; the many Leukemia cats like Kojak and Panther, Bingo and Bubba who had lives that were too short, but rich in our love; the memories of the Moore House and both the seniors and the kittens who lived there.

The magnificent Skittles  (MW)
- feral to lap-cat

Sylar - always so shy...  (KN)

I am so grateful to all the photographers whose shots have brought Sanctuary cat images into people’s homes, and especially to the folks who I can message to say “I’m profiling this cat; do you have pics?”,The pictures in this week’s blog are those of Sanctuary heart-cats I have particularly loved. I couldn’t do this without the med-staff (especially Molly) to whom I go to ask for back-stories or details. I love to hear from visitors who tell me they look each week to see who’s been profiled, and from volunteers who let me know that it’s really helped them to get to know the cats. And I especially love it if someone wants to blog a cat they particularly love, for the series.

Mario and Shrek  (CF) - Mario was a cat-magnet
and beloved by all, including hissy Shrek

Handsome Bello (KN)
- so scared when he came to us; happily in his own home now.

I realised recently that there were very few cats left who were here when I began in 2010. Strays and ferals come to us from hardship; sometimes malnourished or injured, and exposed to possible toxins. It’s always hard to lose them. But for every cat we lose, there are probably dozens more, all over the province, who still need sanctuary. Some just need a reset point, like Elvis or Bello, who have gone to safe homes. Others have a home here as long as they need. I am grateful to be part of the work of a great team of volunteers, of our dedicated staff, and of RAPS as an organization. We may not be able to save all the cats, but for every cat saved, our work means everything.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult, Claire Fossey, Karen Nicholson, Michele Wright

Little Black Cats in the SW

Taavi (KH)

For long-term volunteers, the SingleWide feels different. We miss the Dryer Gang toasting themselves by the door, succeeded by the Cuddle Crew who monopolized the comfy chairs. Nowadays Whiskers and Jinx dominate the dryer, Oscar and Winston add chonk and floof to the space, and Texas cats Sunshine and Syd Junior jockey for position.

But three newcomers are making themselves known, and each one has his or her own fan-club.

Taavi (KN)

The oldest of them is Taavi – she’s about seven and a half years old and came to us last summer. She was an owner surrender – a surrender that was very hard for both humans and cat. They had adopted her from the SPCA, and bonded, but it appeared that she had a tail pull injury and was largely incontinent. “Tail pull injury” may not actually be from the tail being pulled – it could be from a fall or having the tail trapped in a door – but the damage to spine and nerves affects bladder and bowels, as in manx syndrome cats. The incontinence did not improve, and Taavi’s owners reluctantly surrendered her. Initially she was in the Double Wide, caged, and then finding her way around tentatively. She is very much a Garbo cat with other felines, and was struggling with the proximity of other cats around her all the time.

Taavi hiding on her favourite draped shelf (BC)

The med staff moved her into the Single Wide – with fewer cats and lots of hiding places – and she has settled well, adopting one covered shelf as “her” territory, and being more comfortable since Noelle was adopted by a volunteer. Having her in an enclosed area also means the med staff can keep a more careful eye on her, watch for potential UTIs and express her bladder on a regular basis. She enjoys contact with the volunteers who seek her out, but she still lets the other cats know that they need to leave her alone.

Sweet boy Polar (BC)

Polar actually came to us before Taavi, but is younger; he was about two years old and feral when he arrived in the fall of 2024 as one of a trapped group from Boston Bar – in rough shape, with an abscessed wound, likely from fighting. . He became one of many Little Black Cats in the Back Courtyard, usually found somewhere round the Newcomers area. But unlike most of them, he didn’t remain terrified.  Wary, yes – but he gradually grew to accept that humans meant him no harm and often carried treats. Before long he was on the Kitty Comforters’ list and getting attention and then petting, and was considered as a possible candidate for adoption.

He was named all wrong – he should have been called Houdini.

Polar retreats to cage tops when visitors arrive  (KH)

In November the trail cams and arriving volunteers told of a small black cat around the parking lot. The Sanctuary cats were tallied, and all checked in. Someone said “it looks like Polar!”, but Polar was right there outside Newcomers. Finally, the outside cat walked into a trap; his ID was checked, and it WAS Polar!  The little sneak had found an escape route, gone out for adventures, and then come in for warmth and food! There was a concerted effort to check all the possible holes and close them up, and Polar was brought into the SingleWide to become an indoor cat.  He has actually handled it really well – he doesn’t try to get out and he gets a whole lot more people-attention, which is good for his potential adoption prospects.  But any adopter is going to need to be aware that this boy needs to be kept in!

Carla (KH)

Carla was the latest arrival in late summer.  She had originally come to us as a pregnant mom and was fostered for the birth of her kittens, who didn’t survive. With us, she was reactive and hissy in her Connor cage, and when released, was given a collar to warn visitors to approach with caution.  Like many cats, it became evident that most of the reactivity was a factor of cage aggression, and once out and about, she became much happier about human contact – in fact, so much so that it extended to leaping onto a passing shoulder for attention. 

Carla staying close to the door (BC)

That in itself was not really a problem; we’ve had our share of shoulder-sitters, and as long as the owner of the shoulder is OK with the proximity to claws, all is well. But to Carla, the shoulder was a step to higher things, and she took to using it to access the roof of the gazebo, which in turn could give access to a tree and thence to a roof.  After too many ladder-rescues of “Get that cat down!”, Carla was transferred to the indoor safety of the SingleWide, like Polar. She was not happy about the relocation, and is one of the cats to be aware of when entering and leaving the building. Door Dash to Carla does not mean food arriving, it means Time To Escape! 

Shadow guarding her BF Nikki  (BC)

Regular SW visitors know, of course, that there is a fourth Little Black Cat, living mainly on the Deck – Shadow had her own blog entry a couple of years ago; she continues to be Nikki’s possessive girlfriend, and is still fast with the claws. But she has mellowed considerably as she ages, and will come and share couch space with humans – especially if food is offered.

All little black cats – but with very different personalities!

Blog by Brigid Coult (with much thanks to Molly!)

Photos by Brigid Coult, Kim Howe & Karen Nicholson

A Quiet Corner

Billy Ray enjoys the winter sunshine  (BC)

On visiting days at the Sanctuary there are some areas we block off because we don’t want scared cats to be under pressure, or where safety requires no contact for visitors (the Leukemia area). But there’s one quiet corner where we’d love to have visitors, but often have to keep closed because we don’t have enough volunteer Ambassadors to have someone posted there.

Virginia (KN)

The Val Jones pen is in the southwest corner of the Front Courtyard. I blogged about its creation here  – originally it was simply a quiet corner for cats and people to retreat; then it was closed off when we had an increase in numbers of our leukemia cats; some years later it was extensively scrubbed out and became an FIV cat enclosure. It was decided that the cats to be located here would be the more outgoing and friendly ones, so they would be more visible to visitors.

Merran  (KH)

The next change happened when friendly orange-and-white Dango from New AIDS was diagnosed with urinary issues – specifically the formation of crystals in his urine. When this happens for a cat, it is very painful for them to use the litter-box, and particularly for male cats, whose urethras are very narrow. Shy Merran from the SingleWide received a similar diagnosis and there were several other cats with risk factors. It was decided to keep the Val Jones area as primarily, but not exclusively, for FIV cats, but to keep them all on a diet that helps prevent the formation of crystals. The necessary prescription food is effective but also expensive, so can’t be fed to the general population.

Jim is the watcher at the door  (KH)

The Val Jones cats continue to be fed with the others from the main courtyard, but they only receive their special food, and when they have visitors, the treats offered to other cats have to be left between the gates. It’s particularly important that visitors here are supervised so that all these cats get is petting and grooming, and food is not part of the currency. I don’t think it bothers them too much – either they love the attention offered, or they prefer not to be part of it at all!

suspicious Virginia (BC)

Currently there are only six residents in the Val Jones area – a few were adopted, others have passed. We particularly miss sweet Jerry, whose mouth and skin problems never stopped him lapping up all the love we could offer. Virginia is the shyest; she’s cat-social, but hissy and scared around people. She used to hide away all the time, but she’s more likely now to be found sharing a bed with one of her boys, Merran or Jim. Minuet has come a long way;  she was another hider, but now likes to be out in the open, and will often appear at the gate when company comes. She likes to be petted in her bed – she rolls and wiggles and does happy bum-raises.

Minuet (BC)

Handsome Billy Ray is a little aloof; I find he’s ready to accept limited pets, and then just moves away without too much reaction. He’s not a cuddler with me, though he will come and sit beside me for a short while. He likes to be up on something – ideally, the shelf attached to the VJ external fence, where he poses, as if to say “Aren’t I beautiful?!” Indeed he is, but sadly, not adoptable – not because of his FIV+ condition, but because he’s a pee-er, as the med-staff have experienced!

BillyRay enjoys the cabin warmth
and watching the birds  (JS)

Merran was one of the cats that gave the VJ its urinary care status; he was shy in his old home in the SingleWide, and he’s shy here, though he’s become used to humans being around and is no longer quite so spooked. He’s as handsome in his floofy tabby way as Billy Ray is in his sleek blackness, and is very cat-social, often found cuddling with Virginia or Minuet.

Captain Jack aka CJ  (BC)

Captain Jack (CJ) is the newest and the youngest – he came to us from an Island rescue, and may in fact be part of the colony that brought us Marble and Biggie, Simon, Smalls and Junior. He came to us in spring of 2024, and initially showed himself to be something of a bully to the other cats, though I suspect that some of that was just being adolescent – teenagers of all species are inclined to push the limits!  Now he’s a little older and a little less inclined to throw his weight around.  He’s discovered that he quite likes people, and is one of the cats who happily enjoys lap-time with Justin.

Justin offers the BEST lap-sits
- and all the RAPS cats know it!  

I think a lot of his acceptance of life in the VJ has come from Jim, who is the oldest of the cats and the most loving – in fact, his loving gets a little carried away, because he thinks everyone wants it. Jim came to us as a lover, with his friend Frank (the two were known as FrankenJim) and when his buddy passed, Jim just picked himself up and went on loving. He was a big part of getting Minuet from being a terrified hideaway to being part of the greeting club, and when he cuddles with Virginia, it is possible to pet her as you pet him. It’s been funny watching him convince CJ that togetherness is good; he grooms CJ with enthusiasm, even when CJ pushes him away. You can practically see the resigned sigh as the younger boy says “Whatever....”  Sadly, both of them have chronic colds, so their germs are shared too.

CJ & Jim  (JS)

For volunteers and regular visitors – it’s worth washing up and going to spend some time in the Val Jones corner with this lovely group. You may not get anywhere with Virginia, but all the others respond to attention, and though they’d really like commercial treats (not allowed!), the SO kibble gives them the feeling of having something special from your hand.

Cuddle-puddle - Merran, Frank, Virginia  (BC)

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult, Kim Howe, Karen Nicholson, Justin Saint