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