Colourful ferals

Sarah (KN)

Sometimes it feels like we have a flood of new cats that come in from different rescues, and it may take awhile for them to settle enough that we can really get to know them.  One such inundation happened in late 2023 when we took in the colony that had lived at Cranbrook College of the Rockies, until the College demanded their removal. The feral colony came into our care, and is now well settled in pens 2 and 3 in the back courtyard; most of them remain fearful and avoid contact with humans.

Raya - newly arrived  (BC)

At about the same time, a trio of little cats came to us from Broken Promises Rescue, on Vancouver Island,  and were placed in a DoubleWide cage opposite the College cats. Like the larger group, the trio was feral, and spent all their cage time huddled behind their privacy drape. Efforts to visit with them were met by fearful hissing; they definitely didn’t want people around them.  They were a colourful little family – a short-haired calico, a long-haired tortie, and a long-haired pale one with raccoon eyes. The two long-haired ones were found behind a Port Renfrew restaurant, on the west coast; the calico came from a First Nations reserve near Ladysmith. Broken Promises works largely with fostering, and these three were in care together for some time, before it was decided that they were too scared to tame, and would be better at the Sanctuary.

Sarah, in Pen 3  (KN)

Typically the Sanctuary cage-stay is 6-8 weeks, allowing us to administer necessary vaccines, do spay and neuter when needed, assess health issues and dental care, and with luck, enable the newcomers to encounter humans and learn that we mean no harm. Practically, most ferals don’t change that quickly – and because they’re sharing cages, their proximity both gives them comfort, and reinforces that they’d rather be with their own companions. When the med staff feel we’ve done as much as we can, the cage doors are opened, and the cats can decide what their next move will be. The majority of the College Cats made their way out – first to the DW Deck, and then out into the pens; only Tabitha (also known as Tubbitha) remained indoors – and her attitude to people didn’t change much, though she appreciated the food service!  In the opposite cage of Broken Promises cats, little Sarah, the calico, summoned up courage and headed for the great outdoors;  since then she has mostly located in pen 3, where she has made friends with other small ferals, and with the Calgary colony who live there. I most frequently see her in company with black-and-white Tofino, who is very cat-social.

Madeleine & Raya were always together  (BC)

The other two little girls were definitely bonded, and decided to base themselves in the cage and refuse to move; their drape was left up, and I think many of us almost forgot that they were there. Occasionally little Madeleine would be seen scooting from cage to the Deck door, like a little grey ghost; tortie Raya was not to be dislodged. They must have come out at night to share from the wet-food plate – but only the evening med-staff might occasionally spot them.

Madeleine in the great outdoors  (BC)

Then big changes:  the 25-year-old DoubleWide trailer badly needed refurbishing: pee-sodden wood had to be torn out, wiring and insulation replaced, shelving installed, all the cages rebuilt. Much to the dismay of the regular inhabitants, everyone was moved out and doors closed behind them.  Madeleine took herself right out of the building and to pens 2 and 3 – I don’t see her much in company with Sarah, but she can sometimes be found hanging around Yma, who is still very shy.

Raya, out on the deck with the other ferals  (BB)

Tortie Raya vanished completely, but has been discovered hanging out on the DW deck with the other semi-ferals; like Madonna, she hides out in the beds that line the shelf above the windows.  When the work on the main room is done, it will be interesting to see whether she returns to it, or whether she prefers to stay where there are new friends. And as the weather gets colder, who knows if Madeleine will manage to make her way back to the main building to be with Raya, or if she will let Sarah show her how to manage, out in the gardens.  

Madeleine, still hiding out (BC)

All three remain fearful of human contact – unlike the Cranbrook cats, who are getting increasingly brave at being around humans (Li’l Bit actually spent Sunday visiting time out in the open – not interacting, but not running away!).  Sarah’s had a winter outside, and knows how things go;  once the DoubleWide renovations are complete, the med-staff will make a decision on whether to net Madeleine and return her to keep company with Raya, or whether to leave her to do her own thing with Sarah and the other ferals in the back pens.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Braden Burgess, Brigid Coult, Karen Nicholson