Wasabi

Wasabi (KN)

RAPS visitors are often astonished to learn that there are many regions in BC with a serious feral cat problem – a problem that always begins with the carelessness of humans. The older folks among us may remember an upbringing where there were barn cats, or indoor-outdoor cats as a matter of course, and often there were the inevitable kittens. Nobody tracked the growth of cat-colonies, and spay-neuter was often considered an “extra”. Now, of course, we know just how vital spay-neuter is in controlling the growth of such colonies, but all too many regions and municipalities don’t take any responsibility for that, and it’s left to the efforts of local, mostly volunteer-led rescues, operating on minimal budgets.

Wary boy  (BC)

RAPS is a resource to many of those rescues. We can’t take great numbers of their cats, because each one costs us money too, but we can sometimes offer an option that means that a cat will live, rather than die.  One of the rescues we have sometimes worked with is Foster Kritters Feral Cat Rescue, in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. They don’t have a website, but I am linking their Facebook page here.   As their name implies, they focus on finding at least temporary solutions for the ferals that come into their care. The primary predators on the Island are cougars and Vancouver Island wolves – unlike the mainland, where feral cats are a tasty treat for coyotes - and there are colonies of ferals near many populated areas. Cats living alone and unprotected have very short life-spans; cats living in a colony that has been spayed/neutered and that is supervised to some degree by human care may live more than 10 years.

Occasionally playful  (BC)

Wasabi came to us in 2024 from Foster Kritters. He was a feral boy either trapped during a TNR operation, or rescued from within an existing colony – they noticed that his leg was injured, and a local vet did a necessary amputation. The question then was what to do with this tripod/tri-paw’d cat. If released to his colony, he was at greater risk because of his disability. But he was sufficiently feral that keeping him as an indoor cat was not an option – he was very fearful of humans.  Option three was to send him to RAPS, and he arrived in June 2024, with an estimated age of around 8 years.

Caleb with Wasabi  (BC)

Initially, his fear meant that we rarely encountered him outside post-supper social time with the dusk drawing on. But he obviously enjoys the company of other cats, rubbing and rolling with them. He has a particular “thing” for handsome Caleb. Caleb came to us with his buddy Mozart back in spring of 2019, and was one of a group we ended up calling “the teens” – too old to tame easily, and in fact they all resisted it, and have become Front Courtyard fixtures. They are comfortable enough around us, but wary of too much closeness with humans. Wasabi adores Caleb, and follows him around the courtyard, moving in for a little bunting whenever possible. Caleb is tolerant, but I don’t think it’s a balanced relationship - it reminds me of Ringo and Zivko, five years ago in the Back Courtyard – one easy-going, and one very needy...

A little affectionate grooming - though it's
Wasabi who really needs grooming assistance!  (BC)

However, Wasabi has also discovered something that moves him out of Caleb’s orbit. Caleb is not very food-motivated, but Wasabi adores chicken, and when tidbits are on offer, he’s quick to join the crowd. Initially he was very cautious, with the result that his mouthfuls got stolen by other more determined cats; now he’s more ready to put himself front and centre, and to grab whatever’s offered. He’s not ready yet to accept it from the hand (though he will sometimes smack it out of that hand!), but he’s getting braver, and as long as he’s not in contention with Cuddles or Sparrow, he usually gets what he aims for.

Handsome Guacamole  (BC)

Of our four Sanctuary cats who have just three legs apiece, only Guacamole, in the back courtyard, is generally known to people. He is very popular on visiting day, and happy to demonstrate how fast he can run, or how well he can get onto a table without his missing back leg slowing him down much. He was adopted out last year, and recently returned;  while his adopters loved him, and did all the right things, he was not happy away from the Sanctuary, and since returning, has just slotted back into place.

Chutney & Marmalade  (BC)

The other three tri-pawds, all in the Front Courtyard, are much shyer. Tubby little Marmalade may occasionally be encountered on her bed in the Yellow Shed, but once disturbed, she is quick to vanish to a hiding place. Chutney is the youngest of the four, like Marmalade, arriving with us in 2022, and she prefers to be safely hidden behind a drape in the Old Rabbit Area during the day, though she emerges quickly at supper-time, especially when her favourite volunteer, Carol, is serving the food. 

Jumping onto a stool is manageable...   (KN)

Like Guacamole and Marmalade, Wasabi’s is a back leg amputation. Guacamole is strong and hasn’t let his disability slow him down; Marmalade is a good bit slower, probably because she’s a bit chonky! We know that Guacamole’s leg was amputated because of an infection caused by an injury, and that all his leg was removed – presumably to reduce the spread of infection. Wasabi’s amputation is lower down, and it’s obvious when you see him walk, that he is still trying to use the limb above the amputation site, which throws him off balance.  This was also true for two of our HIV boys – Trooper, who was adopted a couple of years ago, and Kicks, who is in fosterage – both are front-leg amputations, at the elbow rather than at the shoulder. Leaving a nub makes perfect sense for a human, who will need the limb to anchor a prosthesis. I don’t think anyone has made a prosthesis for a cat, though, and it would be interesting to know if there is any general veterinary protocol around how much of a limb should be amputated for maximum quality of life.

Big eyes, begging for chicken!  (BC)

We also need to keep an eye on Wasabi, who doesn’t seem to be able to groom himself very well, and like most ferals, doesn’t take kindly to contact with grooming tools. He was one of many cats this past spring who benefited from Gracelyn’s skills with the clippers – but it needed help from some gentle sedation. In Wasabi’s case, even though he’s short-haired, the fur on his back mats into clumps, and he ended up with a saddle-shaped shaved area that is now growing back. We’ll have to see if his sudden passion for chicken tidbits will help us coax him into accepting some grooming maintenance, or if he amasses enough clumps that he needs another shave next spring.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult & Karen Nicholson

Tri-paw'd Alert

Kicks  (KN)

Most of the cats that come to us from outside the Lower Mainland do so through contacts with a number of rescues around the province, but especially in the case of FIV+ or FeLV+ cats, we will take cats from further afield; there are very few places where there are specific facilities for them, and where they can continue to get ongoing medical care and attention. Mostly, they don’t need it – FIV+ cats can live long lives, and can also co-exist happily with FIV- cats, but keeping them separated means greater safety from anything that might compromise their immune systems.

Checking from the upper walkway  (KN)

Fans of the cats in the New Aids pen will probably remember Trooper, who survived a bad winter experience with a leg-hold trap in Saskatchewan, and who came to us with his right front leg amputated. We are delighted to welcome another tripod cat to join the other FIV cats – this time without his left front leg.   Kicks arrived from Manitoba – part of a large fostering situation that needed reducing. The original email from the rescue that sent him said, "Our vet thinks he lost his leg to a leg trap but it has healed over. How did he survive??? Only Kicks knows the answer to that." 

Favourite place to lounge  (BC)

Kicks came to us last fall. It was obvious that he was not a feral cat – he was certainly very timid, initially, but having overcome his shyness, he was quick to respond to petting and treats from the Kitty Comforters. Once out of his cage, progress was swift. Initially he would take himself into hiding up on the walkways, but rapidly realised he had little to fear from us. 

Slightly more wary at floor level  (BB)

Climbing the ramps is a bit of a challenge when you’re a cat with three legs, but Kicks worked out how to do it without much jumping, and he now spends much of his time lounging on the table by the big window. Angus is usually the inhabitant of one of the beds there, and can be a bit of a bully, but Kicks has learned to stand up to him without any actual fighting, and Angus will mostly stay out of his way. Other cats like Obelix are quite comfortable around him.

Sharing the table with Obelix (BC)

From his table-bed he summons his fan-club – he likes attention not only from volunteers and KCs, but is happy also to interact with weekend visitors.  When we have particularly crowded days, some of the cats may get stressed, and band-aids are produced for the unwary. It doesn’t take much petting for Cypress or Dahlia to let people know not to touch! Kicks has a much higher tolerance for petting hands, and when it gets a bit much, his reaction is to remove himself quietly up the ramp to the upper levels.

Enjoying the sunshine (BB)

FIV+ cats can make good adoption prospects; the retrovirus in their systems often affects them only  minimally, and several of the New Aids boys – including tripod Trooper – were adopted last year. I think we’re all hoping that the right person will come along for a mutual love affair with our sweet Kicks.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brit Burant, Brigid Coult, Karen Nicholson

Another Tri-Paw'd Cat

Handsome Guacamole  (KN)

In the last year or so, we’ve seen more three-legged cats come into our care than I remember through all the years before...  In the Front Courtyard we still have floofy orange Marmalade (missing back leg) and tuxedo Chutney (missing front leg).  Both are inhabitants of the Old Rabbit Area, the favourite base of the feral cats, and both are very wary about contact with humans, though they like to be around when tidbits are being offered.  

Front Courtyard tri-paw'd cats Chutney and Marmalade  (BC)

I have managed to persuade Chutney to accept food from my hand, but she prefers to keep her distance. Marmalade only allows Lisa to touch her, and black Wasabi, who is still very spooked by being here, is not into human contact at all.  Another Front Courtyard tripod was not with us long – sweet Jelly was shy in her cage, but blossomed into a flirt when released.  She relocated herself to the Hill House, placing herself in one of the tabletop beds, conveniently within reach, where she wiggled her way into her adopter’s heart, and found her own home. We miss you, Jelly, but we’re so happy for you!

Jelly (BC) and Trooper (BB) - now happily adopted

In the fall, volunteer Brit introduced Trooper on the blog – our brave boy who came all the way from Saskatchewan with a paw mangled by a leg-trap. Trooper made himself totally at home with the FIV cats in New Aids, and has become a lap-cat with visitors and volunteers alike. He stole someone’s heart to the point of being adopted – we will miss him, but are delighted for him.

Guacamole exploring around the back of Pen 8  (BC)

While preparing a blog early last fall about a trio of black cats in the Back Courtyard, I encountered a longhaired black boy moving slightly clumsily – and realized that this was yet another tri-paw’d cat. Like the two Front Courtyard cats above, he was wary of attention, but proved to be willing to stay around and be admired, though he was not yet ready for actual contact.  FIV+ Trooper came to us already tame and named – but the other amputees had no names when they arrived. Marmalade had been an obvious name for our orange girl, and the med staff decided to stay with the food theme for our incoming tripods, so this black boy was called Guacamole.

Guacamole (BC)

He’s a cat whose rescue was assisted by social media; Lisa tells me that he had been spotted by someone over a period of some months, but since this was Surrey and there are lots of feral cats to be found, they just assumed he was another feral.  But coming back after a visit away, they noticed that he was limping badly, and put out a Facebook call to get help for him. This is exactly the sort of thing that spurs Ken and Lisa into action; they set traps, got him in, and immediately discovered that he was seriously in need of medical care, with one paw off – perhaps caught in some sort of leghold trap – and an infected leg.  No Sanctuary stop for this boy – he went straight to the hospital for an amputation. 

Yes, I'm happy to accept petting!   (BC)

We suspect that Guacamole is in fact a stray rather than a feral; he had all the hissy wariness that tends us label a cat as a feral, but in the last six months he has gone from hiding behind Pen 8, to lolling around the courtyard even when humans are at hand. He’s not part of the chickaholic crowd, like Sylar and Pumpkin – he prefers crunchy treats to chicken – but is obviously drawn to the socializing that happens at those times.  He now allows petting when he is relaxing in one of the courtyard patio chairs – and not just the odd touch: he accepts full-body pets, and wriggles happily. 

Lindor on the table and Guacamole on the chair:
both hoping for treats!  (BC)

I find it interesting how cats react to their disabilities.  Marmalade is a chonky little girl, and a rear amputation has taken time for her to get used to; she’s not as active as front-amputee Chutney, though she can move when she needs to.  But Jelly was a rear-amputee too, and very active from the start.  I think front-amputee Trooper has had a slightly harder time of it, since it was his paw that was taken, but there was a good bit of upper leg left. You could see that he had to compensate for the movement of the affected limb. Wasabi has the same problem.  

Under the table is a favourite space  (KN)

Guacamole’s back paw was gone, and the surgeon amputated his whole leg – I assume because of infection – and he has quickly learned to balance himself;  he can keep up with most of the other cats, and can run and jump with ease.

Relaxed and enjoying the dappled sunlight (BC)

The Kitty Comforters have a constantly-updated list of Cats Who Need Attention, from Anne, the KC Coordinator.  I was so pleased to see Guacamole lead off on her recent Back Courtyard list;  the more he learns that humans are not to be feared, the better. Sadly, black cats are easy for people to overlook, and I hope that he will become comfortable enough with us that he might start interacting with our weekend visitors as well as the volunteers who know him and love him.

Blog by Brigid Coult
Photos by Brit Burant (Trooper),Brigid Coult & Karen Nicholson

Another FIV Sweetheart

Chance (KN)

In the last few months we’ve had the addition of some very special cats to our FIV colony. I introduced Trooper in August, and Hank and Goose last month. As we’ve got to know them, we’ve also had another special boy in the background – and he is starting to blossom.  His name is Chance - a name he shares with one of the first cats I met at the Sanctuary, and who Claire Fossey described as "a furry disaster"

The battered boy - a picture from his Victoria foster

This second Chance came to us last July from Broken Promises rescue on Vancouver Island – we think he’s about 5 years old.  Even more than Hank, he’s a poster boy for an FIV stray – a big blocky cat with the musculature and large jowls of a late-neutered feline. He has the crumpled “cauliflower” ears of a long-time boxer; in his case, fighting may not be so much the cause as ear-mites leading to haematomas that never received any care. He reminds me of our beloved Bossanova – the ears are part of that, but the sad eyes and the hissy fearfulness that gradually gave way to trust complete the picture. When he was trapped there were obvious signs of fighting wounds, and he had care from a loving foster before he was transferred to RAPS.

Still wary, but hopeful  (BC)

He spent the first six weeks in a cage – initially with a drape in place, and some aggressive hissing coming from behind it. Many newer volunteers, in this situation, quietly pull the litter box out for scooping and place food and water for him without disturbing him.  The Kitty Comforters push the boundaries a bit, and several of us would climb into his cage with him, even if only to talk.  We discovered that a back-scratcher was a useful tool to allow him to experience touch at a remove, and found that he adored scritches round his head and ears – what he didn’t enjoy was having his drape moved, but once it was out of the way, he became quicker to settle down to enjoying caresses and melted into the petting hand.

Under the chair  (BC)

In the usual way, once the med staff decided it was time, Chance’s cage was opened, and having lived for a few days pretending the barrier was in place, he ventured out and went to ground under the adjacent chair. This presented a little more challenge – entry to the cabin usually meant discovering a Kitty Comforter lying on the ground, and coaxing Chance to emerge – all the while gently dissuading the other FIV cats who felt that humans lay on the ground for their benefit, and gathered around for attention.  Occasionally Chance would take some human-free time to climb the cat-tree and find a place in the cage-top beds, but he really preferred being at floor-level, and where he could retreat to a hidden place.

Chance thinks Henrie is a great cuddler

It’s wonderful that we have so many friendly cats in this pen – cats that are just longing to have someone with whom they can cuddle. Trooper, Biggie, Simon, Hank, Boomer, Angus – they all want attention, and the first four at least would do really well in their own homes (Goose went to his new family last week!) - but the fact that they all want attention means that Chance is very wary about emerging from hiding. 

Cuddles with Marty - and Trooper wants in...   (VE)

Our regular NewAids volunteers have proved to be most successful – they may not be labelled Kitty Comforters, but they sure have the gift!  Once the dinner plates are out and the cats otherwise occupied, Chance is more willing to risk himself and climb up for a cuddle – and the worried face relaxes to the point where you can see the smile emerging.

Look at that smile!  (KC)

Chance’s life has probably been a series of battles with other tomcats, and at the moment he’s actually happier with humans than he is with the other felines.  But he’s come so far from the fearful boy of the past summer; once he becomes fully comfortable with the largely non-aggressive encounters with a testosterone-free community of cats, we hope his growing confidence will make him an active member of our FIV family.

Hey Hank - can I share the lap?   (BC)

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Katy Cobb, Brigid Coult, Vince Edwards,

Henrie Morgan, Karen Nicholson

Goose, aka Augustus

Goose (KN)

Goose?  What sort of a name is that for a cat?
We have one feline Goose already – a pretty little tabby girl who is still shy, but who has made herself at home in the front Courtyard.  This Goose is a very different prospect. He’s a solid boy who came to us through SARC – the Animal Resource Centre of Surrey, just to the east of us. They thought he was around a year old, and would probably have had him up for adoption, but discovered that he was FIV+, and contacted us to see if we would take him.

Goose-grass  (KN)

He came to us with the name Goose, but he is also known as Augustus (or perhaps that should be AuGOOSEtus!) When he arrived in June, volunteers working in the FIV area totally fell for him – he was very vocal from his holding cage, calling for attention and cuddles – and then more cuddles. Sadly, he discovered, when eventually released, that the place was full of felines – and he does not like other cats!

At his most lion-like  (BB)

You’ve heard this before from me, but discovering a cat is FIV+ is no longer the death sentence it used to be thought (and still is, in some places). FIV is a retrovirus that remains in the cat’s system but is not actually AIDS, and feline AIDS may never actually develop. The one problem is that it can still be transferred from one cat to another by means of bite wounds, but as long as the cats don’t fight, the virus doesn’t survive outside the cat’s body. We need to continue with a lot of education to help folks know that an FIV+ cat can be a really good choice for adoption – with two conditions: they must remain indoor pets, and they must get on with other cats in the home.

Birdwatching?   (KN)

So here we now have a pen full of cats who are no longer at the mercy of their hormones, and whose aggression is mostly of the “slightly irritated” variety. And we have Goose, who doesn’t like to be around other cats, and walks around growling when someone gets too close.  Mostly he’s very good at taking himself out of the way – he climbs way up where the others don’t go, and enjoys watching the birds, and keeping his own company.

Getting all the love   (HM)

As much as when he came in, he still loves human company, and if the other cats are occupied with urgent business like dinner, Goose will come looking for a lap and cuddles with a convenient human. But he keeps a wary eye open for cats like Hank and Trooper who think that laps were made for them, and who are not shy about butting in.

More lap-time  (BB)

The RAPS Adoption Centre recently posted an Adoption Special for some of the adult cats – so this is to add a bit of shameless advertising for Goose, who needs a home with no other cats – a home where he can be King.  If you can offer a home, or know anyone who can offer one, this handsome guy will repay you with cuddles and purrs. 

Having a cat-nap  (BC)

Goose has a home with us as long as he needs it – but he would really much rather not have it. Humans are OK, he thinks, it’s just all those other felines... 

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brit Burant, Brigid Coult, Henrie Morgan & Karen Nicholson

November 3, 2024 - so pleased to report that Goose went to his new home today, and has settled in immediately and happily.  Congratulations to him and his family!

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!

Trooper

(This week’s blog is brought to you by Sanctuary volunteer Brit Burant. Brit has been volunteering since Oct 2021 in the New Aids area. Friday evenings with the cats and other volunteers is her favourite day of the week!)

Trooper

Some of you might remember our story about Trooper earlier this year. He survived a cold Saskatchewan winter with a trap attached to his leg. Thanks to his trappers, the help of RAPS medical team, volunteers and donors, we’re happy to report that Trooper is thriving at RAPS and living his best life. 

Who can resist that face?

He first called the Val Jones area home but his picky palate did not enjoy the food offerings there (the VJ cats are on a diet to suit the ones with kidney problems). He now calls the New Aids area home, and his “fine dining” needs are finally being met there! He has fitted in nicely with his fellow FIV friends and his relaxed demeanor shows how comfortable and safe he feels in his new home. 

Amaretto and Trooper having a little lounge together

Over the last couple of months, his personality has really bloomed and he has become more outgoing. We’ve been finding him and Amaretto hanging out together lately. He has discovered that chairs with cushy blankets make great napping spots.

Trooper certainly lives up to his name. Despite being a tripod and missing his front right leg, that doesn’t stop him from running around and being playful. He loves to catch bugs, chase leaves and play with wand toys. He’s also always one of the first to run up to the gate to greet you when you arrive. For only have 3 legs, he’s moves along pretty quick!

One front paw is enough for play

You have to be careful and always looks down when Trooper is around. He has a tendency to flop at your feet when you least expect it! The flops on the ground could also be because he’s tired from sitting – who wouldn’t be if they were missing a limb?! But when he is lying on his side, it's an open invitation for pets and belly rubs. You can’t say no to his adorable face! 

Loves legs to rub against

All the cats at RAPS have their own stories, but when you look at Trooper, you can’t help but have an extra big smile on your face when you see him. Just knowing what he’s been through and to see how far he’s come is truly remarkable. Words like resilient, tough, strong and fighter come to mind – but he’s so much more than all that. He is a true testament of what good can happen when a community comes together to give an animal a second chance. 

Petting, please?

Although our boy carries the FIV virus, he is not sick, and like most of the FIV cats, will live as long and healthy a life as many other cats. 

For more information about adoption, check https://www.rapsbc.com/adopt/

If you're looking for a playful love bug who will also be your little shadow, Trooper is your guy!  

Blog and pictures by Brit Burant 

January 2025:  Happy to announce that Trooper has found a home!