The Dryer Gang

Cats being the hedonists they are, it’s not surprising to find them curled up in warm places. Most of the Sanctuary’s cat-cabins have ceramic heaters, and even in sub-zero temperatures the outdoor cats have somewhere warm to be. In every building around the Sanctuary there are favoured places that cats choose – mostly related to warmth. In the Tea Room, you will practically always find Sadie face-planted as close to the heater as possible.

MW

In the Double-wide, there’s usually a crowd on the table just inside the door, and another (usually focused on Salty) on the couch. Hot air rises, and there are normally a good number of cats on top of the cages in the Connor. And the papasan chair near the courtyard stairs is always good for a cuddle-puddle as is the one on the Newcomers deck.

BC

But the favoured place has to be just inside the door of the Single-wide, where, as you enter, you are usually greeted by a furry pile.

L to R: Simone, Jenny, Jarod (Yap), Bantam, Belinda, Zoe
with Little Mama up above - PH

Personalities vary, but the core of the Dryer Gang, as they are known, are usually Simone, Bantam and Chickadee. The three of them came from an egg farm (now demolished) and it’s likely they were all related – according to our vet, Simone is older than the other two, and may well be their mama. You’ll find these three on the September page of the 2017 calendar.

Simone is one of those cats that visitors actively seek out.  She is a cuddle-bug, liking to be held upright over a human shoulder, rather like a baby. In her earlier days she would have come under the no-semi-ferals-adoptions ban, implemented after our experience with Jenny and one or two others; now she is older, calmer, and there is a long list of people that would probably adopt her like a shot. However, as with Salty, we have to consider not only her but also all her cuddle-buddies – losing her would seriously affect the dynamic of the group.

Simone and Bantam are very close - MW

Bantam enjoys his share of petting and cuddles, though he’s not as much in favour of being picked up as Simone is. Chickadee is shyer still, preferring that petting is restricted to the cuddle-puddle itself – it’s not so long ago that Chickadee still preferred the safety of the cage-tops

Zoe - always curious - PH

The trio is usually joined by Zoe – older than she looks, but still very active – sweet green-eyed Jenny, Little Mama, and most-recently, Diamond, who we feel is still mourning the loss of her beloved son Garfield. It’s lovely to see her settling in as part of the group, and sharing in comforting snuggles.

Diamond is comforted by Zoe - MW

They, and the many other cats who join them are a delightful group who never fail to draw the attention of Sunday visitors - whether or not the dryer is operating

...so how many cats can fit on a drier?....  MW

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult, Phaedra Hardman, Michele Wright

The Dilutes

Over coffee a couple of weeks ago we were talking about cat colourings and especially commenting on our dilute cats. I decided to try and do a little research into what caused the colouring, and perhaps write about it, but quickly decided it was much too big a topic to blog about.  A simple primer on cat genetics can be found here and here
For anyone not familiar with the term dilute as applied to a cat, it just means that the more intense colours found in most feline coats are toned down to a gentler shade. It can apply to almost any colour – grey cat fur is just a dilute form of black, for instance.
The Sanctuary cats we particularly think of as dilutes are the more dramatically patterned ones.  Probably the most handsome of these is Princess Diva who was featured in this year’s calendar, and who I just realised I need to blog about – so watch for her story in upcoming weeks.

Miss August – Princess Diva - MW

Very familiar to visitors in the front courtyard is another diva, our little Latte. Latte looks remarkably like her late mom, Val, except for the colouring. The tabby markings show through clearly, but are softened by Latte’s permanent highlights. This little girl is bossy, and has no hesitation in swatting other cats if she thinks they’re heading for a treat that she believes is hers.

Latte being cute - MW

Another blonde, but with more subtle markings is back courtyard Sadie. Sadie’s brother Kiddie is also pale in colour – an aspect of the dilute gene – but it’s Sadie’s pretty mixture of grey and peach that always attracts attention. Sadie and Kiddie are getting older now, and are less energetic than they used to be; Kiddie spends most of his time lounging on the table at the entrance to the double-wide trailer but Sadie likes people, and can usually be found in the tea-room. Laps are particularly favoured, but even though there’s nothing wrong with her legs, she prefers to haul herself up into the lap, rather than jumping. Our little Sadist has sharp claws that usually need trimming!

Sadie - MW

Nervous Nelly still rarely comes down from the cage-tops where she feels safest; if you can get her to sniff a finger, you’re doing well. Nelly has never found another cat to love as much as she adored our orange-and-white fluffball Mario. Tortoiseshells usually have strong orange and black colouring, but her tortie colouring is muted by the dilute gene.

Nelly - BC

Perhaps the most dramatic of these five is Alyssa – another dilute girl who’s never had her own blog post. Alyssa is long-haired, which seems to be less common among torties, and her dilute colouring shows in dramatic blond highlights. She was also featured in the 2016 calendar and needs her own blog entry.

Miss April:   Alyssa - SG-K

Summer blond highlights, ladies?

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult, Shoval Gamliel-Kumar and Michele Wright

In Praise of Older Cats

On New Year’s Eve, we’ll probably sing, or at least hear, Robbie Burns’ poem “Auld Lang Syne”, which begins with “Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?”  It may make us think fondly of old friends, and perhaps a grandparent or elderly neighbour who’s enjoying their golden years.    

Moore House residents Marble & Bluebell - MW

There are societies that venerate the wisdom of their senior citizens but sadly this devotion doesn’t always include the family pet.   It can be difficult and expensive to continue to give an older cat the love and care it deserves and, like older humans who’re past their prime, old cats are sometimes turned over to the care of others.   Worse, an old cat may just be abandoned to the streets, where it no longer is able to fend for itself.  Staff and volunteers at RAPS’ Cat Sanctuary are most most likely the last family these old darlings will ever have so we give them as much love and comfort as we possibly can to make up for the trauma of losing “their people” and their familiar surroundings.  We love being able to do this for them!  After all, like many older humans, senior cats have an abundance of personality and character.  If only they could talk and tell us of the adventures they’ve had in some of their previous lives – remember, cats have nine lives and we know the exciting ways in which some cats have used up a few of them. 

Moore House residents Venus & Smokey - MW

Most of our older cats live in the Moore House, known fondly as the GeriCatrics, where a quieter life and less stress suits their occasionally cranky ways.  But many of the cats at RAPS’ Cat Sanctuary have been there a long time and were adults when they first arrived so they’re getting on in years. Siblings Kiddie and Sadie are among the original residents, having arrived as youngsters, so we know that they’re at least sixteen or seventeen years old now. They certainly don’t look it but they have been slowing down a bit these days, no longer tearing around at top speed as they did in their prime.

Sadie & Kiddie - MW

Everyone keeps a special eye on our senior cats for anything that might indicate failing health or discomfort.  For example, they can easily become dehydrated and require regular sub-cutaneous fluid replacement.  Pretty blue-eyed Skye in the Single-Wide is one of these – she gets the restorative fluid and then lots of cuddles and ear rubs.

Skye - MM

Sometimes, during the cold weather,  a cozy sweater will be provided for the skinny cats or ones whose fur is a bit thin.  Here’s old Fitz, in New Aids, relaxing in his preppy sweater.  

Fitz - MM

Mikey, who’s almost entirely blind, is allowed to spend most of his time safely inside the Animal Care Staff room, being spoiled with special food and attention there.  The rest of the time, he happily but slowly walks around the areas that he’s familiar with.

Mikey - MM

For cats who are already senior citizens when they come to us, there’s a whole building set aside just for them: the Moore House.  It’s a quiet area, away from the comings and goings of the larger areas and not open to visitors.  Here, the old darlings can snooze on the softest beds or bask on the sunny deck, where they can watch the action on the nearby bird feeders.  Frail little Noni spends most of her day relaxing in “her” favourite spot in here.

Noni - MM

Despite their sometimes ragged appearance, older cats are able to enjoy life to the fullest at the Cat Sanctuary.   Here, these “auld” friends are cherished, and not forgot.   Happy New Year to all!!

Blog by Marianne Moore

Photos by Marianne Moore & Michele Wright

Letting Sleeping Cats Lie

When Sunday guests arrive for the first time, almost inevitably they will ask “Can I take pictures?” and the cell phones come out and start clicking away.  Staff and volunteers also have cell-phones to hand – sometimes to try and verify the identity of yet another black cat, sometimes to catch an exchange between cat and human – and always to watch for that moment where, even in sleep, the cat’s personality shines through.

This week’s blog is a sampling of sleeping cats from Michele, Phaedra and Moira – and undoubtedly there will be more to come…

The Stretch
Elliott loves this position on the front steps on a sunny day. (ML)

Emily has recently taken to being an indoors-only cat  (MW)

The Ball
Cheetah is long and lanky, but loves to sleep all curled up  (MW)

Mikey is our blind cat who still manages to find his way to the med cage for treats.
His curl-up sleeping position tells other cats "Don't bug me!"   (MW)

The Sprawl
We all have pictures of Fred in one or another of his inelegant sleeping positions (PH)

 

The Sun-Seeker
Though usually a bathroom cat, Baby enjoys the chance to catch a few rays (PH)

The Box
Baloo is not a fan of other cats - and is never happier than when she can curl up in a box alone (MW)

 

The Face-Plant
Sadie has obviously had an exhausting day exercising her claws on everybody's pants legs (MW)

 

 

  

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Phaedra Hardman, Moira Langley & Michele Wright



Oh, graceless kitties of autumn!

Yes, it's that time again - time to share a few photos of our furry sanctuary friends taken on occasions where they opted not to sit pretty.

Here's what I was able to round up for the October blooper reel:

Bonnie Boy

photo by Michele 

Logan, post shave (so the graceless part, really not his fault)

photo by Michele 

Who can resist a little pink tongue shot?

photo by Michele 

Salty making is own fun

photo by Michele 

Morgan

photo by Michele

Sadie vs. plant

photo by Phaedra 

Mario takes his followers' well-being very seriously

photo by Phaedra

"What?"

Melvin, caught between poses

Zander. Not exactly an unusual pose for him, but still - funny!

Renee, giving the ever-popular back paw salute

Salty, once again just doing his thing

Springtime and a Place in the Sun

Look forward to a Friday feature on a white cat called Grubby (and for those who don't already know, see if you can guess the reason for his name!).
For today, here's a short photo essay to celebrate spring at the sanctuary.

While winter weather had a lot of cats heading inside for warm, snug beds, a bit of sunshine and the hint of warmer days to come brings just as many out to bask in the sunny courtyards. Here are a few of our friends from past Neko Files blog entries, enjoying last Sunday's sun.

Salty

Salty & Mr. Bojangles

Cookie

Ranjit

Sadie

Jasmine

Squirrel

Squirrel is a handsome boy who came to the sanctuary when he was around 8 months old. He apparently has an identical twin who was adopted out... upwards of 10 years ago! According to Leslie, "Squirrel has happily gallivanted around the back area of the sanctuary since then.  He used to run into every pen when volunteers opened the gates.  A nuisance like Sadie."

These days Squirrel leaves the pen/cage sneaking and general volunteer hassling to other cats, or at least he doesn't try it on my watch. Most often I see him comfortably lounging on a big cat bed on this shelf, either on his own or in the company of nap & cuddle buddies like Princess. He likes his cat buddies, but he's always quite open to throwing a little human cuddle time into the mix.