Captain Jack

Captain Jack - "CJ"   (BC)

In the spring of 2023 we took in a group of cats from Foster Critters in Duncan who were all FIV+. We thought it was likely that they were, in fact, all related: one-eyed mama-cat Marble, Simon and Smalls, and Biggie, who might have been son or sire. Smalls was black; all the others were orange tabbies. About a year later we added two more orange boys from the same rescue; it’s likely there were family genetics there. Junior went to join his cousins/siblings in New Aids;  Captain Jack went to the Val Jones pen.

Courtyard snoozing  (BC)

So why split them up? Sadly, Captain Jack (or CJ, as he is commonly known) is one of those cats who has been discovered to have bladder crystals. This is predominantly a male-cat thing; the feline urethra is so narrow that any obstruction can totally block the bladder, and unless it’s spotted in time, the cat dies in great pain. Surgery is expensive; luckily the typical crystals that make the blockage can be dissolved with the right diet. So the Val Jones has become the Urinary corner even though some of the cats pre-date that designation; Jim has lived there since 2019; Minuet and Virginia, as females, are not as likely as the boys to have bladder blockages,  but everyone eats the special food that will keep a few of them safer. Merran was moved over from the SingleWide when his problem was diagnosed; the Val Jones is an FIV+ pen, but FIV+ and FIV- cats can cohabit easily enough. We separate the FIV+ ones so we can keep an extra careful eye on their health, not because we need to protect the other cats from them.

Life is serious...   (BC)

Unlike the other felines in the Sanctuary, the Val Jones cats don’t get all excited when visitors arrive because the red cups containing treats have to be left in between the gates. There are some special treats allowed for bladder-crystal diets, but in fact the cats are quite happy to have petting/grooming attention with no extra food.

CJ, when he first came to us  (KN)

Captain Jack was about three years old when he came to us in April 2024. Initially he was a bit of a bully with the other cats – he’s the biggest of the VJ residents, and maintained the dominance. We will sometimes see this in the early years – teenagers pushing boundaries, which includes bugging the people/cats around them. If the calculations about CJ’s age are correct, that would make him late 20s in human years – and we all know that some young men like to maintain that macho attitude.  We know that he’s not had an easy time;  the life of a feral cat is rarely a long one, especially for the un-neutered males who are driven by their hormones. CJ’s records from the previous rescue noted that while cleaning up a facial abscess, they had to remove lead from his jaw and suspected that he had been shot in the face. 

Playing with his buddy Jim  (BC)

Now no longer at the mercy of his hormones, CJ has come to tolerate the cats around around him.  No small part of this is the work of Jim, who is a relentless lover.  Jim came to us with his beloved Frank (we called them FrankenJim), and when Frank passed, Jim mourned, but didn’t shut off his love. He was often found snuggling with Minuet in her early scared days with us; he befriended shy Merran: he cuddled with Magnus (now passed) even when it was the last thing Magnus wanted. And when CJ came along, Jim had a new target. The two of them play-wrestle, they snuggle under the lamp and they share a chronic cold which seems to pass from one to the other and back again. I think most of the cuddle-drive still comes from Jim, but CJ now enjoys it.

Loving laptime with Justin  (JS)

The Val Jones area remains a lovely quiet place to visit some favourite cats. CJ has his own favourite humans, and though he is not commonly a lap-cat, he is quick to claim time with Justin, the volunteer who has many of the other cats queueing up for comforting snuggles. After scary teenage years in a feral colony, with humans shooting at him, CJ is discovering that Sanctuary life is the best thing ever!

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult, Karen Nicholson & Justin Saint

A Quiet Corner

Billy Ray enjoys the winter sunshine  (BC)

On visiting days at the Sanctuary there are some areas we block off because we don’t want scared cats to be under pressure, or where safety requires no contact for visitors (the Leukemia area). But there’s one quiet corner where we’d love to have visitors, but often have to keep closed because we don’t have enough volunteer Ambassadors to have someone posted there.

Virginia (KN)

The Val Jones pen is in the southwest corner of the Front Courtyard. I blogged about its creation here  – originally it was simply a quiet corner for cats and people to retreat; then it was closed off when we had an increase in numbers of our leukemia cats; some years later it was extensively scrubbed out and became an FIV cat enclosure. It was decided that the cats to be located here would be the more outgoing and friendly ones, so they would be more visible to visitors.

Merran  (KH)

The next change happened when friendly orange-and-white Dango from New AIDS was diagnosed with urinary issues – specifically the formation of crystals in his urine. When this happens for a cat, it is very painful for them to use the litter-box, and particularly for male cats, whose urethras are very narrow. Shy Merran from the SingleWide received a similar diagnosis and there were several other cats with risk factors. It was decided to keep the Val Jones area as primarily, but not exclusively, for FIV cats, but to keep them all on a diet that helps prevent the formation of crystals. The necessary prescription food is effective but also expensive, so can’t be fed to the general population.

Jim is the watcher at the door  (KH)

The Val Jones cats continue to be fed with the others from the main courtyard, but they only receive their special food, and when they have visitors, the treats offered to other cats have to be left between the gates. It’s particularly important that visitors here are supervised so that all these cats get is petting and grooming, and food is not part of the currency. I don’t think it bothers them too much – either they love the attention offered, or they prefer not to be part of it at all!

suspicious Virginia (BC)

Currently there are only six residents in the Val Jones area – a few were adopted, others have passed. We particularly miss sweet Jerry, whose mouth and skin problems never stopped him lapping up all the love we could offer. Virginia is the shyest; she’s cat-social, but hissy and scared around people. She used to hide away all the time, but she’s more likely now to be found sharing a bed with one of her boys, Merran or Jim. Minuet has come a long way;  she was another hider, but now likes to be out in the open, and will often appear at the gate when company comes. She likes to be petted in her bed – she rolls and wiggles and does happy bum-raises.

Minuet (BC)

Handsome Billy Ray is a little aloof; I find he’s ready to accept limited pets, and then just moves away without too much reaction. He’s not a cuddler with me, though he will come and sit beside me for a short while. He likes to be up on something – ideally, the shelf attached to the VJ external fence, where he poses, as if to say “Aren’t I beautiful?!” Indeed he is, but sadly, not adoptable – not because of his FIV+ condition, but because he’s a pee-er, as the med-staff have experienced!

BillyRay enjoys the cabin warmth
and watching the birds  (JS)

Merran was one of the cats that gave the VJ its urinary care status; he was shy in his old home in the SingleWide, and he’s shy here, though he’s become used to humans being around and is no longer quite so spooked. He’s as handsome in his floofy tabby way as Billy Ray is in his sleek blackness, and is very cat-social, often found cuddling with Virginia or Minuet.

Captain Jack aka CJ  (BC)

Captain Jack (CJ) is the newest and the youngest – he came to us from an Island rescue, and may in fact be part of the colony that brought us Marble and Biggie, Simon, Smalls and Junior. He came to us in spring of 2024, and initially showed himself to be something of a bully to the other cats, though I suspect that some of that was just being adolescent – teenagers of all species are inclined to push the limits!  Now he’s a little older and a little less inclined to throw his weight around.  He’s discovered that he quite likes people, and is one of the cats who happily enjoys lap-time with Justin.

Justin offers the BEST lap-sits
- and all the RAPS cats know it!  

I think a lot of his acceptance of life in the VJ has come from Jim, who is the oldest of the cats and the most loving – in fact, his loving gets a little carried away, because he thinks everyone wants it. Jim came to us as a lover, with his friend Frank (the two were known as FrankenJim) and when his buddy passed, Jim just picked himself up and went on loving. He was a big part of getting Minuet from being a terrified hideaway to being part of the greeting club, and when he cuddles with Virginia, it is possible to pet her as you pet him. It’s been funny watching him convince CJ that togetherness is good; he grooms CJ with enthusiasm, even when CJ pushes him away. You can practically see the resigned sigh as the younger boy says “Whatever....”  Sadly, both of them have chronic colds, so their germs are shared too.

CJ & Jim  (JS)

For volunteers and regular visitors – it’s worth washing up and going to spend some time in the Val Jones corner with this lovely group. You may not get anywhere with Virginia, but all the others respond to attention, and though they’d really like commercial treats (not allowed!), the SO kibble gives them the feeling of having something special from your hand.

Cuddle-puddle - Merran, Frank, Virginia  (BC)

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult, Kim Howe, Karen Nicholson, Justin Saint

Minuet

 

Minuet  (LBF)

RAPS got its beginnings through the devoted volunteers who established Richmond’s Homeless Cats back in the late ‘80s in response to the increasing number of feral cats in the municipality. Through years of TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) and of establishing the Sanctuary where urban development made releasing colonies an impossibility, numbers have gradually come under control.  But it only takes a little carelessness, and we can see how easily the population surges.

A common view of Minuet  (KN)

Before the pandemic, a well-meaning Richmond resident fed stray cats without realizing the implications. Suddenly, there were cats everywhere, and the family called on RAPS for help.  The staff took on a major trapping operation and brought them into the Sanctuary – adults, teens and kittens.  The latter were all adopted – cuteness has its uses! Two adult males, Pax and Zeus, tested positive for FIV and were moved into the Val Jones area, while most of the youngsters were put in Pen 6. Only Aphrodite eventually tamed enough to be adopted; the others are still living a semi-feral life around Pen One.  Minuet was not one of the initial colony trapped and brought in; she arrived a couple of weeks later, but it was obvious that she and Aphrodite were related, and initially she remained with her family.

Minuet's sister Aphrodite in her new home  (MD)

Given the FIV diagnosis, a careful eye was kept on the group and sadly, we discovered that Athena carried the FeLV virus, and Minuet the FIV virus, and both were transferred before the rest of the colony was released to the back courtyar – Athena into OldAids with the other leukemia cats, and Minuet into Val Jones. Unfortunately by then both Pax and Zeus had both been adopted, and poor Minuet found herself in a new area with a whole bunch of unfamiliar cats.  Like the rest of her family, she was very shy, and she took herself out of everyone’s view and found a hiding place.

Hunched on her shelf : "don't bug me!"  (KN)

Kitty Comforter Mel was not having any of this!  Mel had adopted Minuet’s sister Aphrodite, and was determined to have Minuet feeling more comfortable. She would sit beside the draped shelf where Minuet hid and offer toys and tidbits, or brush the shy girl without attempting to make eye contact. Minuet accepted this, but was not ready for more.

A floofy pile of Minuet and Jim  (MD)

And then Jim got in on the action...

Jim had come to us from Alberta with his buddy Frank, and was almost immediately comfortable with us all. He is a cuddler, a little pushy and a lot loving. He loved Frank most of all, but he had lots of love to go around, and he decided that Minuet needed it, so he moved in on her. Increasingly, we checked Minuet’s shelf to find her and Jim cuddled there. And since Jim loved being petted, Minuet learned to enjoy it as well. When Frank passed, the two became more and more an item, and Minuet began appearing in the courtyard more openly, accepting attention more from Mel and other volunteers.

Magnus and Minuet  (MS)

Now she is more relaxed and comfortable with regular visitors, joining the crowd looking for treats, pushing her way into the favoured spot under the heat lamp, and even sharing space with Magnus, who is not usually a fan of other cats. The Val Jones cats are the FIV+ cats who are most comfortable with humans, and the more likely to be adopted; Minuet would probably not handle that sort of change well unless it was to go with someone she trusted, but it is good to see her more relaxed and at home in her surroundings.

Catnip makes everything better  (KN)

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen, Melanie Draper, Karen Nicholson, Molly Sjerdal

FIV+... But Still Adoptable

Angus (KN)

One of the conditions under which people may adopt cats from RAPS Adoption Centre is that the cat they take should remain an indoor pet. Some people find this a very hard condition, and stretch it to teaching the cat to wear a harness and leash, or building a catio for “outside” ventures. But it’s a condition that we will continue to ask for, because outside life for a cat can be a risky business.

Obelix   (KN)

Not only are there perils like traffic, coyotes, poison (and poisoned prey) but other cats they encounter may be dangerous to them. This is because of two viral conditions which are common to ferals and strays. Both present no danger to humans, but to varying degrees, will compromise the feline immune system.  These are Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). There is no medication available to cure a cat once it is infected – all we can do is treat the secondary infections.

Dillon  (KN)

FeLV is the more dangerous of the two, severely compromising the immune system, and transmitted via the cat’s saliva. For that reason, our Leukemia cats are kept separate and we follow careful sanitation protocols with them – not to protect ourselves, but to prevent them from catching something we might bring into their enclosure.  FIV, sometimes called Feline Aids, is transmitted only through blood, and is often found among feral male cats, who fight each other over females, territory and food sources. Infected female cats may pass the virus to their kittens in utero; of our 40 or so FIV cats, only four are female.

Minuet's sister was adopted,
but this girl is still too scared  (LBF)

There are three stages to FIV: an initial acute phase as the virus replicates rapidly, an asymptomatic phase which may last for years, and a progressive phase in which secondary infections occur – skin, mouth, eyes, respiratory or urinary problems are all common in this stage.  Visitors are often surprised to see this healthy bunch of cats being kept apart, but it’s easier for the med staff to keep an eye on them for secondary issues when they’re all together like this.  Accepted wisdom holds that FIV+ cats should not have contact with FIV- ones, but in fact when there is no aggression between cats, there can be no transmission. The story of Simba and Jack is a good reminder that FIV doesn’t need to divide good buddies.

Angus snuggling with his favourite blanket  (KN)

So, though not kept in the Adoption Centre, there are several of our FIV cats who are eminently adoptable – and who, if they bonded with resident cats, could live in a mixed household.  Tuxedo Angus has been on Petfinder for some time; he’s a sweet boy, living in New Aids, and struggling a bit with some of the strong purr-sonalities there. You will often find him buried under a blanket as he shuts out the world, and he’s happy to come for petting and love if he can do so without Domino getting in the way. He's a happy lap-sitter/bread-maker! Sleek black Obelix came to us several years ago, and is related to the calico crew in the front courtyard.  He was very shy for some time, and still tends to hold back until he knows and trusts you – at which point he is excited to come for petting and treats.

Obelix is wary at first, but loving when he trusts  (KN)

The cats who live in the Val Jones corner are also FIV+, and most of them are friendly and sociable. There are three that are immediately adoptable, and they’re all black. Dillon came from the same source as Chai, Kahlua and Dominique, in the main courtyard. He’s pretty cat-friendly, and is definitely pro-human – willing to come out and visit; his buddy Charles was quickly adopted. Longer-haired Gizmo looks is a very different Gizmo from the grey Back Courtyard guy – this Gizmo is friendly and sociable and there’s been no hint of grey-Gizmo’s erratic temper. Unfortunately he is already showing some mouth problems, and it may be better to keep him where he has quick access to RAPS medical attention.

Gizmo loves to come for petting  (BC)

One other boy in the Val Jones is a shoo-in for adoptability - he's the first to climb into a lap, and give love - but he's also the most loving cat to other cats in the pen. Jim arrived with his beloved buddy Frank more than two years ago; we lost Frank last year. Jim now snuggles with everyone - even grumpy Magnus plays with him. He has been the comforter for scared Minuet, and helped bring her to a point where we can touch her. For the health of the Val Jones community, Jim may be a permanent fixture!

Jim  (LBF)

The third black boy is new, and much younger – Raymond is about four years old, and has only recently arrived at RAPS from another rescue. He is an outgoing and very affectionate boy with lots of love to give. Shelter Manager Shena says, “He truly is a real sweetheart and would love a family of his own. He loves chatting and has a lot to say. He is very easy-going and enjoys laying sprawled out across the window ledge looking at all the sights. He is polydactyl which means if you love toe beans, he has an extra one for you to love.” 

Raymond  (LBF)

All our black boys also suffer from black-cat-syndrome – they are easily overlooked for more colourful kitties.  But any black-cat lover will tell you that it usually takes only a little time to uncover the purr-sonality behind all that black fur – and that you will be the lucky one indeed if you take one of these guys to your heart, despite their FIV+ diagnosis.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen, Brigid Coult & Karen Nicholson