Christmas with the Cats

Nikki on his Christmas throne  (KN)

Christmas is just another day at the Sanctuary - all the usual stuff still needs to be done! 

Cat-wreath in the entry-way   (BC)

In the last month, Karen has put decorations up, hung the lights, put a tree safely behind cage-wire, and the RAPS stockings are on the gate, safely out of reach of inquisitive paws. Weekend visitors have enjoyed the sight; staff and volunteers have shifts made more fun with extra goodies in the tea-room. 

Oscar says "Can I tap it with my paw?"  (KN)

The cats don’t care whether it’s Christmas or Hanukah or Kwanzaa – all they want is to know that they will have food at the right times, and comfy places to rest. That’s made a little trickier by the fact that volunteers may be away, or have schedule conflicts, and suddenly there’s nobody to clean in one area or feed in another.

people step up to fill vacancies  (BC)

The Auxiliaries respond – an app lets us know there’s a vacancy, and more often than not, someone volunteers to come in and cover things. In fact, on Christmas Day, quite often there are more volunteers than usual, and extra hands make the work go quickly.

Gathered for cat-caroling  (BM)

My own choir has a tradition of caroling visits to the Food Bank (for clients and volunteers) and to the Hospice (for staff and patients). But we always begin our morning at the Sanctuary, gathering in the back courtyard with any volunteers around, to sing carols both traditional and fun: parodies of well-known songs with cat-words. 

Sing "We three cats", please!  (KN)

Bentley LOVES the singing, and wants in on the action; Junji is busy getting under everyone’s feet.

"You can sing and pet me at the same time!  (KN)

I came in on Christmas Eve to clean the Hill House; with a wet morning, most of the cats prefer to stay indoors, so it was mostly a case of cleaning around them. With a temporary church job, I had to work in the evening and the following morning, but I’ll be back during the late afternoon of Christmas Day to help out as needed with feeds – and to enjoy a Christmas cuddle with some of my favourites!

Abby thinks the tree is a great place to hide   (KN)

The holidays are an occasion to be grateful for all the people whose generosity in time and money helps to support this very special place, and to give the cats the gift of life and love in a world that is hard on homeless felines. 

Winston thinks it should smell more like catnip...  (KN)

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult, Bill Meyer & Karen Nicholson

Abby

Thanks to Anne Marchetti - Kitty Comforter Coordinator - for this week's blog!

Abby (AM)

As a Kitty Comforter, I love spending time with all the cats I meet no matter what their circumstances, but I feel a special heart-tug for the surrendered cats who have once known the love of a family but now find themselves alone at the Sanctuary. These little orphans can be scared and confused, shrinking from our offers of comfort and friendship but in desperate need of solace. 

The wide stare of a scared cat  (AM)

Allow me to introduce you to one of these cats. Her name is Abby, or as I like to call her “Lady Abigail”. This petite, young girl arrived at the Sanctuary from a rescue in Kamloops just under a year ago. She had been surrendered due to “inappropriate urination”, which is a polite way of saying she refused to use a litterbox. She came with a care package and a heartfelt 4-page letter from her foster mom who loved her dearly but could no longer manage Abby's unfortunate bathroom issues. 

If I stay still, will you go away?  (AM)

When Abby arrived, she was temporarily caged in Connor House in the Front Courtyard. She was a very scared, very sensitive young girl who would easily startle at the slightest noise. We would visit her regularly, trying to provide comfort and companionship in order to help her more easily adapt to her new life situation, but little progress was made due to her extremely nervous nature. 

still shy...   (AM)

When her cage door was eventually opened and she was allowed to roam, her fear kept her frozen in place. When she tried to venture out, she'd be easily spooked by any little sound and she'd quickly jump back into her cage to cower behind her drape. 

Most comfortable with a nearby place to hide (AM)

It was evident to all that her anxiety and delicate nature was preventing her from living a full life in the Front Courtyard so it was decided she should move into the Single-wide trailer. The Single-wide has a warm and homey vibe where cats can relax in relative quiet, with lots of warm beds and frequent human visitors on hand for extra cuddling. This location is usually reserved for elderly cats and those with chronic health issues where Med Staff can more easily tend to their needs. 

Cautious, but braver now  (MW)

It is also the perfect living arrangement for such Nervous Nellies as our little Abby, and the relocation turned out to be a good decision. I could see her stress level dial down noticeably after her move here. With less jarring ambient noise to trigger her stress and panic, our visits together became more relaxed and I was able to more easily establish a trusting relationship with her. 

Playing with wand toys (SM)

She still has a skittish personality (her default expression being “deer in the headlights”) but she has also lowered her defenses to the point where she will play with us with wand toys and occasionally come out to see the general public on Sundays where she allows the more gentle visitors to pet her and offer yummy RAPS-approved treats. I consider these significant achievements for this timid little girl. She may never be brave enough to be a lapcat but I'm sure with time she'll grow more confident, content and at peace in her life with us. 

Blog by Anne Marchetti

Photos by Anne & Selena Marchetti & Michele Wright
Video by Selena Marchetti