Meowy Catmas to Everyone!

Preparation for Christmas runs apace at home for staff and volunteers alike. Occasionally it edges over into the Sanctuary - decorations have appeared in the courtyard and there is a Christmas tree (out of paw-reach) between the gates that lead through to the back.
But for the most part, the cats are supremely indifferent to the human concerns - that is, until Michele turns up with her camera and seasonal props.

Christmas Zoey

Dodger says "Do I HAVE to?"

Santa April isn't too sure about this hat business

Santa Bantam thinks there have to be some good treats coming to make up for this!

Santa Charlie says "Since you asked nicely..."

Then Debbie gets Diamond and Garfield involved...

We are NOT amused...



But I can wear anything and still look handsome!


What they're waiting for, of course, is the turkey treats that their devoted slaves bring them for Christmas.  Almost worth getting dressed up for!

From all at the Cat Sanctuary:
WE WISH YOU A MEOWY CATMAS AND A PURRY NEW YEAR!

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Debbie Wolanski and Michele Wright

Two Grey Girls

On Sunday afternoons, many of the visitors that come in bring treats for the cats, and in fact some of our furry friends are so blasé about food by the end of the day that we have to restrict the canned food we put out. Rather than commercial dry treats, I prefer to have a little bag of chicken bits in my pocket, and before I leave, they get shared around.  Many of the cats love chicken more than anything – “chickaholics”, I call them – and they’re desperate to get their share. Cheetah and Jake lead the charge, but Paulo and Latte are right there, Tommy and Dirky, shy Gilbert and Diamond, and many others.

Often I will hear a little chirp from behind me, and find a small grey cat hopping from one foot to another in anticipation. For some time I didn’t know her name, until Leslie identified her for me as PETUNIA. It turns out she’s one of the egg-farm cats in the single-wide – from the crowd that includes April and Simone and Bantam, and she is probably a litter-mate to more than one of them.  At some stage she made a dash for the door and established herself in the front courtyard.

She’s a shy girl – she won’t allow more than the slightest touch – but is more than ready to take chicken from the hand. But the fact that she’s so food-motivated makes it more likely that the Kitty Comforters will eventually be able to tame her a bit more, and she certainly sees that there are good things that come from being around humans.

Another grey girl occasionally in the chicken crowd is SARAH. It’s interesting to me that Sarah actually used to be more active in the cat-crowd, and around people, and has now taken to hiding away in the feral cat area.  She is also very keen on chicken, and had no hesitation in swatting another cat out of the way if she thinks she can get away with it. 

Sarah was one of a group of cats brought to us by volunteer Mary He from a feeding site she tended – others in that family included Fern, Fabio and Cyrano.  It may be that Sarah’s withdrawal from a more active courtyard life is part of staying connected with her “family” who also inhabit the feral area.  She’s still a very wary cat, and like Petunia, she shies from fingers that don’t hold food, but I think she’s another cat that, with a bit of work, could become more comfortable with humans.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult & Michele Wright

Bantam

On my way out of the singlewide earlier this week after my unsuccessful attempt to get close to Asta, I looked up to find this handsome fellow peering down at me from the top of the cages.

He was interested in me, though not quite interested enough to be bothered to come down from his perch for a proper cuddle. And so I had to make do with having my reaching fingers sniffed and gently pawed.

I found out afterward that this was Bantam who came from the same egg farm on Blundell where we got Simone and April. Already looking forward to visiting him again. Hopefully next time he'll deign to come down to a more pettable location!

photo by Barbara

Cairo

Cairo came to the RAPS sanctuary from our No. 5 Rd. shelter along with his sisters Asia and Sahara because the three were too timid to be good candidates for adoption.

Cairo is still a bit shy, but can be quite friendly if he feels comfortable (or if you give him chicken). I met him while I was getting to know April earlier this week. He'd was hanging out on the same shelf and became increasingly intrigued by what a good time April appeared to be having, so it wasn't too long before he decided to sit up and get in on the action.

 

Cairo and friends

Does anyone know for sure who Cairo's black buddy in the photo is? Someone had suggested it might be Dylan (and thanks for that!), but this one was being more laid back than Dylan's been with me in the past. 

April

April came from the same egg farm on Blundell in Richmond where we got Simone, Bantam and others.

The farm owners had been feeding a number of feral cats on their property. When they moved and knew the place was to be demolished, they were concerned about the cats and asked RAPS to trap and bring them to the sanctuary.

April was very scared at first, but now likes people -- though Leslie and Gaye warn that she can still swat on occasion.

When I visited April on Monday, she was a little timid at first, but soon warmed up to me enough to get from her comfy bed for some rubbing and purring. And luckily, no swatting.

April was having such a good time visiting, in fact, that neighboring nappers Asia and Cairo woke up and wanted in on the action (and does anyone know who the black cat lounging in the middle of this group might be?).

April and friends