Adopted Cats: All I Want For Christmas Is Mew

Some of our Sanctuary cats DO get adopted!

Goose (FIV+) is king in his new home  (KN)

We have a steady flow of kittens and occasionally older cats who pass through the doors of rhe RAPS Adoption Centre – in from a rescue situation or from the loving hands of a fosterer – and out into the warm world of a new home.  The Adoption Centre is the first building a visitor will encounter as they approach the Sanctuary – and there are a whole lot more cats in the Sanctuary itself who may never find a home.

Front Courtyard Alvin has a new home   (KN)

There are many reasons this may be so. The most usual is that a cat is feral – ranging from the ones that are so scared that they will not allow humans to approach them, to the cats who will only accept careful attention: treats and a little petting. These are all cats who, without a no-kill policy, would probably be put down. In this situation, I hate the term “euthanasia” – this is killing for human convenience’s sake, and no amount of gentleness in the procedure makes it anything but unnecessary. 

One-eyed Willi's first adoption failed,
but he is very happy in his new home   (BC)

Many of the volunteers have at some time had a cat who began as a feral, and over time, adjusted to human company – but equally, we’ve had many cats at the Sanctuary who have never tamed, and continue to show fear to the end. For those cats, there will always be a place with us where they can hide, there will be shelter and food, and medical attention when needed.

Riker loved nothing better than lap-time  (BC)

We had multiple cats in merged cages this time last year - the three Dumpling cats, and long-haired Riker and Kramer;  Riker's adoption was facilitated with a visit to a local pet-store, where he was available to the public;  the Dumplings were all taken together, and we were delighted.  Kramer decided that he really wasn't bonded to Riker, and that though he quite like humans, he was not going to bond with them either; he is still with us, mostly playing the role of the Cat Who Walks By Himself.

Little tripod Jelly settled quickly into our hearts
and then into the hearts of her adopters.  (BC)

The other group of cats who will likely never live anywhere but at the Sanctuary are the bathroom baddies – the cats who have usually been surrendered for litterbox problems, and who express themselves in pee and poop. Two other reasons for surrendering do not necessarily preclude potential adoption: cats brought in “for aggression” can often learn with us that they do not need to react so quickly when there are humans around who read their body language and move gently around them. 

Hank, from New Aids, loved nothing more than lap-time
and human attention - he got his wish  (KN)

Of the cats who are here for health reasons, some are better where they can get medical attention, but others are actually adoptable as long as the adopter is aware of the flags to watch for.  Many of our FIV+ cats are adoptable, and of those who are not, with most of them it’s for reasons other than the FIV+ diagnosis – generally that they’ve joined the club and become pee-ers. Some of our younger FeLV cats have also been adopted as well, though many FeLV cats do have shorter lifespans, and you adopt, knowing that you many not have many years.

Audi was shy but sweet;  she spent a long time in a cage
for medical care, but it gave her time to become fully socialized  (BC)

When I first came to volunteer at the Sanctuary, very few of the cats were adopted out – but we have learned so much in the last years about behavioural issues, and about conditions like FIV and FeLV. Now we can name a number of cats who are potentially adoptable, and in the last year alone, at least a dozen have left to find a new home. 

Picasso's adoption ended with travel when his new person
moved back east. He's very happy!  (KN)

Some of them have gone to volunteers, to a person that they have come to know and love, and felt comfortable with even before they left. Some have found a connection out of the blue – I will never forget watching Strike meet his human, jump into her lap and just settle, back in 2023 – or watching Elvis meet his human soul-mate.

Gordo looked like trouble, but was a true pussy-cat,
and was adopted by one of our volunteers   (AG)

Sweet Misto began fearful and then became a cuddle machine
who would dance around wanting non-stop pets.
She would often forget to put her tongue back in... (KH)

Gordo and Misto are now living happily together  (AA)

Next week, I’ll be remembering the cats we’ve lost over the course of the last year – but I felt this Christmas week was the time to think about the cats who have come as gifts into their people’s lives over the course of the year, and who have in turn found the gift of a loving home.  In a time of gifting and goodwill, let’s remember some of our 2024 adopted cats

McCormick came to me for fostering while we adjusted 
his meds and his diet for allergies;
the move is permanent, and he gets on well with my older cat, Scout.

 

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Alicia Almeida, Brigid Coult, Akira Graham,
Kim Howe, Karen Nicholson

Alvin

Alvin (KN)

As a volunteer, it's all too easy at the Sanctuary to spend most of your time in specific areas, covering shifts, and then discover that there are a bunch of new cats you don’t know in another area. That is particularly so when it comes to black cats – and I especially struggle with identifying the front courtyard black ones.

Alvin (BC)

So I found it interesting that in the last couple of months, I’ve had three black boys coming and “making nice” with me – though all three of them are not in fact pure black, but what I call flecked cats – black with little flecks of grey or white among the black fur.

L: Puddin' (BC);  R: Odin (KN)

The first of the three is Puddin’, introduced a few weeks ago; Puddin’ mostly hangs out in Pen 3, but likes to follow me round the back pens on a shift. He remains very affectionate, but is cautious, because his place on my lap is being invaded by Odin.  Odin bases in Pen 1. He was very shy when he first arrived with us, but time with the staff (especially Alice) and Kitty Comforters has worked wonders, and now he comes running when he hears my voice, and demands lap-sitting and lots of petting.

Alvin (KN)

The third is a front courtyard cat called Alvin. We think he’s around 9 years old, and was brought in to us by a local Samaritan who found him as a stray. It would be interesting to guess his background; he’s a friendly boy, so has obviously known human care and attention, but he was unneutered when he came to us, so hasn’t had good care. He’s been living stray for some time; he had bad teeth and a pellet lodged in his belly, so life has been tough.

Water is GOOD, Alvin!   (BC)

Alvin is one of many cats in our care with CKD – Chronic Kidney Disease. It’s very common in cats, especially the older ones, and our med staff are careful to monitor those in early stages, and give fluids where necessary. Ideally, a cat with CKD should be on a special diet, but given our setup it’s not possible without caging him – what Alvin needs is a home where he can get the special food he requires.  He would actually be a good candidate for fosterage; his CKD is in the early stages, and the right food is all he needs. Assistant Sanctuary Manager Valerie says that he would be a good candidate for foster-to-adopt.

Busy about cat "stuff"  (KN)

Street life as a lone male has taught him to be a little wary around other cats, though he’s not aggressive; he is one of the cats who will often come running to greet me, and will jump up to sit beside me on the bench and then edge over onto my lap. He’s not a big boy, though like many other formerly unneutered males, he has chubby cheeks.  He loves to be petted, and to be scritched around his ears; if someone else approaches – even someone as gentle as Little Orange – he gives way and scoots off.

Alvin (BC)

You’ll generally find Alvin around the Connor House – snuggled into a bed at the back or on the porch – if he’s not on greeting duty. Now he knows and is comfortable with us, it will be interesting to see how he behaves when our Sunday visitors start coming – I hope he will make some new friends!

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult & Karen Nicholson