Little Grey Ghost

Dahlia (BH)

Visitors to the New Aids pen are usually accosted at the gate by the shameless scroungers: Domino, Mr Binx, Cypress (and slightly less assertively) Wyndham.  Angus, Obelix and Boomer are rarely far away. Among our FIV+ population, it becomes pretty obvious that it’s male-dominated – in fact, there are only two females in the pen at the moment:  calico Amaretto, and grey Dahlia.

You may touch my paw ONCE only  (KN)

That makes sense when you remember that the virus is passed in the context of a deep bite, and that it is usually the unneutered males, both feral and stray, who will fight with each other over territory, or food, or mates. Once trapped and neutered, the lack of testosterone dulls the urge to do battle, and the occasional scuffle is rarely a real fight.  A female will sometimes acquire the virus in the course of mating, if the act involves biting, and an FIV+ female can pass the virus on to her kittens in utero. We don’t know how either of our girls was infected, but with care, they will live lives as long and healthy as any uninfected cat.

Dahlia likes to perch on the steps  (BC)

Many of our FIV+ cats have come to us through other shelters; Amaretto is one of many from the central area of Vancouver Island. Dahlia is local; she was found wandering in the area near the former RAPS Shelter (now SPCA) on No 5 Rd.  The person who found her wanted to keep her but she was becoming too fractious for them to take care of (not surprising, knowing our Dahlia!); they took her to the vet for checking, discovered she was FIV+, and surrendered her to the shelter, from which she was transferred to the Sanctuary. This was in the fall of 2020. In early December of that year, she did a jail-break, but remained hanging around the parking lot and was finally coaxed into a trap with a tasty plate of chicken.

She prefers to be at eye-level to greet you  (MW)

Most of the male cats in New Aids are solid, blocky boys; they build up jowls and muscle as they grow up unneutered, and they maintain their build.  Dahlia looks very unlike them, slim and long-haired, she is not usually a fan of people. She likes her comforts, and can usually be found in the main cabin rather than outside; her preference is to hide behind a drape in the top cage, and currently she is a little miffed that it’s occupied by a newcomer, and she has to find an alternative bed.  New volunteers are often warned about approaching her; you can frequently get two pets in, and then she’s had enough and lets you know it.

Favourite resting place in the top cage  (HM)

However, Marty tells me that this week she allowed herself to be petted by a visitor, and loved the attention – when they left, she had an attack of the zoomies, and sprinted outside and then back in. Who knows what attracted her to them?  But like all cats, she can take you by surprise. Awhile ago, a volunteer arrived for a New Aids shift just in time to get a phone call telling of the death of a family member.  We sorted out how to cover her shift, and she decided she needed to take time with the cats before rushing home. Sitting on the ottoman in tears, she was surprised and touched  that the cat who approached and sat with her quietly was Dahlia – not usually any sort of a lap-cat, she obviously understood distress and offered quiet comfort.

Dahlia (KN)

She’ll likely never join the social crowd at the gate; she’s not a welcomer, and her tolerance for people usually has its limits.  Mostly she prefers to remain hidden, and dislikes being disturbed. But when she recognizes something in a human – perhaps the magic hands, or the sadness – she will emerge and make her presence felt.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult, Brielle Hutchison, Henrie Morgan, Karen Nicholson, Michele Wright

Cypress

Cypress  (KN)

Cypress came into our care in 2018; he’s probably around ten years old.  As an FIV+ cat, he is a resident of the New Aids pen.  Because FIV is transmitted though bite wounds, there will often be multiple cats in a colony that carry it, and we have received several FIV+ cats from the various mid-Island rescues: in the same year Cypress arrived, we took in Francis, Drake and Jerry (the latter now living in the Val Jones area), Domino and Amaretto a couple of years later, and Marble and her sons more recently.

Early days: stay away!  (KN)

In his early days, Cypress did not approve of the relocation – he was a very angry feral, preferring to do his go-away hissing from the cage-tops or from the back pens where the shy cats hang out. His tattered ears indicated that he was a likely scrapper, and he was certainly not afraid to lash out at any humans that ventured a hand too close.

Cypress with his (now departed) buddies,
Francis (back) & Malcolm (front)  (KN)

He may not have been human-friendly, but he was, and is, very cat-social.  He could often be found in company with handsome Francis (who hated us just as much, in the early days!) and with little Tiberius, who progressed to accepting tidbits with great enthusiasm.   Some cats enjoy each other’s company and others just tolerate it;  Cypress really liked his feline friends, and made sure he was in integral part of the cage-top cuddle-puddles.

Rocket with Cypress  (LBF)

Many cats who carry the FIV retrovirus show no obvious signs of it, and will live healthy lives as long as any other cat. Where we do occasionally see symptoms is with the mouth: dental problems, gum disease, mouth ulcers.  Cypress is one of the cats for whom stomatitis eventually necessitated all his teeth being removed. Sometimes that enforced time in a cage with more human attention flips a switch for them;  certainly Cypress is now a changed cat. 

Relaxing in the garden (BH)

These days he spends more time interacting with the New Aids volunteers and the Kitty Comforters;  if there is a lap available, he is ready to be pushy in getting to it.  That was often difficult with Hank and Trooper around; now the two of them have been adopted, Cypress is very happy to be getting more attention.  He does get a bit over-stimulated sometimes, and the petting hand needs to be ready to suspend action; he may not have any teeth, but his paw is fast, and his claws are sharp!

Snuggles with Amaretto  (MS)

He may love humans more than he used to do, but he doesn’t love other cats less – he can still be found snuggling happily with his buddies, and in particular with little Amaretto, who is his best girlfriend (not that he has much choice, since Dahlia doesn’t like anyone, and Marble only has time for her sons!). With the recent cold weather, he has stayed in the warmth of the main cabin, but he’ll probably be off to the back pens soon to enjoy visiting with the shyer boys again.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen, Brielle Hitchison, Karen Nicholson, Molly Sjerdal 

Hank the Hunk

Hank  (KN)

There are many favourite corners at the Cat Sanctuary, and staff, volunteers and visitors each have their own specials.  But sooner or later, most of us make our way to the New Aids pen, where there is always a feline star. You had a recent introduction to Trooper, who has stolen everybody’s hearts despite three legs rather than four;  Biggie attaches himself to any lap that comes his way; when Amaretto emerges to flirt for attention, she gets it; even not-beautiful Bill has his fan-club (which includes me!).

Hank  (KC)

Enter Hank.

Hank  (BB)

If there is a stereotypical FIV cat, Hank could be the poster-child. He’s a chonky, solid boy with a square muscular build, the chubby cheeks of a late-neutered cat, some of the scars of a life without much human care and the flat ear-tip of a cat that has been TNR’d.  

enjoying the evening sun....  (BB)

We don’t know much about his past – he arrived into our care last May from our friends at CritterAid, in the Okanagan. A feral cat with an FIV+ diagnosis is a problem for many rescues who practice TNR – the cat can be spayed/neutered, but if released, it can still pass on the virus if there is fighting over territory or food.  When he arrived there were warnings on his cage about handling him, and even when released, he was initially wary.

more cuddles, please...?    (KC)

But Hank has decided that humans are The Best Thing since he caught his last mouse!  He has a new home with a pretty tolerable bunch of other felines.  He has food and warmth and shelter.  And he has people to love – people who will sit down and offer laps, and petting and cuddles – people who will stop what they’re doing to give him attention – and at weekends, even more people!

sometimes, a little alone time....  (KN)

Have we created a monster?  Hank has become an attention-hog!  Other cats need attention too, but Hank is determined to be first.  Newcomer Chance is spending his time in hiding and needs to be coaxed out, but volunteer Marty found that Hank would grab the chance for back-sitting rather than lap-sitting.

If a back is offered, rather than a lap....   (MC)

It used to be that cats testing positive for FIV were deemed unadoptable.  We now know more about how the virus affects them (mostly, it doesn’t!)  And our reasons for deciding a cat isn’t adoptable are pretty much the same for these guys as for any other cat in the Sanctuary – feral or very shy behaviour, bad habits of peeing or aggression, or specific medical problems. Several of our FIV boys would be wonderful companions in a home – alone or together. The only criterion of homing an FIV+ cat with one that is FIV- is that the cats should get along and not fight.

Hank is pretty cat-social
- group sleeping with Woodie and Boomer  (HM)

Right now we have three adoption-possible stars in New Aids – Biggie, Trooper and Hank. There are others, but these three boys just shine.  And Hank is probably the one most determined to climb his way into someone’s heart!

Hank - exhausted after an afternoon of visiting!  (KN)

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brit Burant, Katy Cobb, Marty Corey, Henrie Morgan, Karen Nicholson

November 2024:  Happy to report that Hank has gone to his own home!  Apparently he made a very determined claim on his adopter (who had actually come in to see another cat) and demonstrated his lap-sitting skills with great success!

Amaretto & Domino

 No, not the holiday chocolate variety… but they could be!

Domino & Amaretto - PC

These 2 came in from Nanaimo last winter.  Both began as hissy ferals who emphasized the “fear” in feral. While they both call New Aids home, their personalities are polar opposites.

Domino - MW

Wily weirdo Domino (yes, another one) can make a scene these days, but started off hiding and hissing.  He didn’t want any contact and seemed disgusted by humans.  After release, he started to explore the place.  He has medium length white and black fur, with asymmetrical black markings. His pink nose has black “freckles”.  

Domino - KN

Little by little, he eventually got used to the presence of us weird, furless creatures. There was a house big enough for everyone, a constant source of food and water, and different humans who did the same routine everyday.  They cleaned his poop box, brought food, playthings, and treats!  

Favourite grass-play - KN

Domino will approach anyone.  With his tail up, he hopes for affection or food.  Pass on the opportunity, then prepare for chaos.  While you’re petting another cat, he may wedge himself in-between, flick his tail like a feather duster, or swat them.  If that doesn’t work, he’ll try climbing on you.  There’s nothing quite like getting razor hooks in the knee with the attached cat using them for leverage.  Time for peroxide…

Enjoying sunshine - LBF

Another trick is scare tactics.  If the majority of cats are gathered around for food, Domino will sneak behind the crowd and scream.  Of course, that sends everyone scattering.  I saw this happen 3 times in a single visit.  He didn’t even want the food – just the attention.  When he was temporarily caged in autumn, he made the same you-stepped-on-my-tail outbursts.  The other cats unfriended him by then.

Domino in the flower-pot - PC

Because of his wild behavior, he’s earned some nicknames: DomDom, Donkey, Dingdong.  I call him Dodo boy, as I feel he’s more like a bird than cat.  He zips in for something good and suddenly high-tails it.  He has a devious nature and knows how to entertain himself, just like members of the crow family.

I can stare longer than you... - KN

Domino, Puffin, and Tugboat have never met, yet they all know how to sit and stare for attention.  The greatest trick he’s learned is to be nice to humans to get goodies. He’ll be your friend, if you allow.

Amaretto - MW

Petite Amaretto was definitely a spitfire while acclimating.  After release, she made herself scarce, but eventually allowed humans to interact with her.  She stands out because of her calico markings - black and orange spots on a white body.

High in the corner - PH

When she’s in a good mood, Amaretto is like a housecat; she sleeps in high places and comes down for pets, toys, and treats.  She knows how to head bonk, leg rub, and use her claws to reel you in.  Her fur is smooth and soft.  But when she’s had her fill, she’ll give you a small swat.  Persist and she’ll demonstrate her gnawing skills on your hand.  She loves using her teeth and claws.  

Hey, you up there? - KN

Amaretto’s currently the smallest FIV+ kitty.  The other cats give her space and don’t pester her.  Even Domino isn’t crazy enough to mess with her.  They probably remember her ferociousness and opt to keep their fur.

Advancing with purpose - KN

Back to the chocolates:  Amaretto can be sweet and smooth, a little nutty, but potent.  Domino would be a dominostein.  His outside shell beguiles his multi-flavoured personality – parts of which may take you by surprise, but that’s what makes him special.  These two probably won’t do well in an average home, so that makes them two more flavours in our box of random chocolates.

Blog by Pauline Chin

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen, Pauline Chin, Phaedra Hardman, 

Karen Nicholson, Michele Wright

Anywhere But On The Shelf

The Sanctuary is decked for the Christmas season, even though it’s only the staff and volunteers that appreciate it – we miss our visitors!  But one visitor has been making his presence felt.

Tinker says "Who is this guy, anyway?"

Whoever came up with the concept of Elf on the Shelf has a lot to answer for – including the Christmas neuroses of many children!  But not cats...  Cats have more sense than to get freaked out because someone is watching them. They like to be watched – because as all good pet parents know, they are the central point in the home. So having an Elf around at the Sanctuary was probably more weird for staff and volunteers than for the feline inhabitants.

In some cases it was a guarded interest - who was this interloper, anyway?

Bantam photo-op

Merrin gives him the side-eye

In some cases the interest was more in the smell - could there have been a little catnip involved?

Phoebe does a little hopeful licking...

Bentley thinks Elf has been walking somewhere interesting...

The Elf made a few excursions into the back pens....

Cadbury says "Can I sit on your lap?"

...appreciated by some - but not by others

Darius is NOT happy about this visit!

He finds admirers in the New Aids pen, where he is very popular with the girls....

Amaretto sharing secrets

Holland getting quite snuggly...

..even possessive....

But the place he was most popular was in the Single-Wide, where Mya constituted herself his fan-club.

smile for the camera....

mine, all mine....

...so she said to me...

you can't leave so soon!

Shiva and Elf want to wish everyone a happy Christmas, and a joyful and safe holiday!

Blog (minimal) by Brigid Coult

Photos (and Elf) by Lisa Brill-Friesen