Slim

MW

Two years ago this month we accepted a young black cat into the Sanctuary – his name was Slim.  He had originally come to RAPS as a stray, and was adopted out from the 5 Road Shelter, but was returned within the month with concerns about his aggression – concerns that were initially borne out in his first days with us.  Only the med staff handled him for the first week or so, and when the “med staff only” notice was removed, volunteers were reminded to proceed with caution as they cleaned out his cage and offered food.

MW

As with most new cats, he remained caged for about a month, getting used to the attention of new people, and the sight and smells of a whole lot of strange cats.  Often in this period we have to cover the bottom of the cage door with a towel, so that the visual stimuli are not too much for the caged cat, and so that passing cats don’t pee into his territory.

MW

Again, as with most new cats, when his cage door was opened, Slim remained inside for some time, taking comfort in surroundings that had become familiar to him.  We all remember what it’s like to be a new kid in school (further back for some of us than others!) - it’s rare that a new cat will acclimate quickly, though some welcome the human attention, though wary of the felines

MD

Finally he started venturing out. We warned visitors to let him be, but both Kitty Comforters and cleaning/feeding volunteers gave him lots of attention, and though initially wary, he soon began to respond, and to look for petting.

"Will you pet me? - CN

Nowadays Slim is very much a member of the Connor House colony. He enjoys visits in the front courtyard, but doesn’t venture very far afield.  His name has ceased to suit him – he’s become a very chunky, solid boy, but an affectionate one.  Like many of the cats who come in with an “aggression” label, attention to his body language, and allowing him to settle at his own pace, has produced a cat that is quite easily handled, with awareness. Eli, Puffin, Lumi and many others have taught us that the label is often a product of ownership that didn’t respect the cat’s space and need to be alone;  just as with some humans, there are many cats that don’t want to be touched too much, get easily overstimulated, and certainly don’t want to be picked up. We have to remind visitors of this, and it’s one of the reasons we no longer allow young children to visit on Sundays.

MW

With people who respect his space and timing, though, Slim is a sweetheart, and might be a candidate for adoption, to the right person who could offer him a home alone – though it’s likely that we wouldn’t put him through the stress of a move to the Shelter. In a place he knows, with people who love him, he would probably do very well.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Melanie Draper, Caitlin Norman, Michele Wright

Smoochie and Bear

Bear & Smoochie - DW

When new cats come in at the City Shelter – either as surrenders or as trapped cats – one of the first things that happens is a quick trip to the vet for a checkup.  Blood testing comes first, a spay/neuter if necessary, and then a decision about where the cat will go.  For a cat that has spent any time in the wild, one of the dangers is always that they may have contracted feline leukemia virus (FeLV), and if that is the case, we are just thankful they have come to us at RAPS. FeLV is transmitted in saliva, and is dangerous to the immune systems of other cats; our own FeLV cats live in an area separated from the general population, both so that we can ensure that nothing in their saliva can contaminate anything the other cats touch, and also so that we can keep their area as safe as can be from anything that might affect their fragile immune systems.

Smoochie - DW

Many other shelters and sanctuaries are unable to create this dedicated area, and it is a sad fact that a cat infected with FeLV is more likely to be euthanized because it’s considered unadoptable. Of course, is is possible to have a FeLV cat at home, but only knowing that it should never go out, never be in touch with an uninfected cat, and knowing that its life-span is likely to be much shorter than usual. Faced with that, most people shy away from the commitment.

RAPS is dedicated to a no-kill philosophy, and leukemia cats coming to us mostly live in what we call the “Old Aids” area, now extended to the Val Jones corner.  For some time there has also been a Leukemia room tucked away at the back of the Single-Wide, but with the death of our lovely Harry, the population there was reduced to two cats, and the decision was made to transfer them over to the Val Jones area, where we have also lost Jerry, Foxy and GusGus in the last six months.

Smoochie hiding - DW

Smoochie was trapped and brought to us some four years ago; the family that found him would have kept him, but for the FeLV diagnosis. His tidy black-and-white and little Charlie Chaplin 'tache disguises a very shy boy; he was pretty scared when he arrived; it’s taken a long time to get to the point where he will comfortably accept petting, and I suspect it was Harry that taught him that humans could be trusted to give good cuddles!  He’s still shy, but now he looks for his favourite people, knowing that he’s safe with them.

Bear - MW

Bear was one of two cats surrendered together at the City Shelter; it turned out that he tested positive but his housemate was negative, and the two were split up, with Bear coming to us at the Sanctuary. “Shy” is not a word to describe Bear; he is pretty vocal, not really cuddly, but ready to throw his weight around when needed.

Smoochie - MW

Moving the two of them to the Val Jones corner was much as expected; Smoochie found corners to hide in and had to be coaxed out; Bear swaggered around with lots of confidence. Their pen-mates are Mocha, Suga, Henrik and blind Chip, and all seem to have settled well with the newcomers.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Debbie Wolanski and Michele Wright

Beetle and Cricket

As our name implies, Richmond Animal Protection Society is focused on the needs of the animals in our own municipality, and grew out of the need to get control over the feral cat population that existed here some twenty years ago. Currently, we’re feeling good about the feral situation; many of the cats that are trapped here are escaped or dumped pets rather than “career ferals” and our expert trappers are quick to act when a stray cat is reported.  Occasionally, we will cooperate with other shelters in giving homes to cats that cannot be homed elsewhere – the FeLV cats come particularly to mind, because not every shelter can deal with the level of care needed for leukemia cats.  But occasionally cats arrive on our doorstep by different routes.

Baby Beetle

Baby Cricket

In the late summer of last year, one of our staff took a holiday in the Interior, and just before returning, was landed with two young feral kittens. Once a rescuer, always a rescuer – Beetle and Cricket got packed into the car with the rest of the bags, and brought to the Sanctuary.  Normally kittens go to a foster home where they can be handled and habituated to human touch. But these two were about three months old – just feral enough for the fear of humans to be well implanted, and unlikely to tame enough to be ready for adoption.  They took up residence in the wing of the Moore House (usually known as GeriCatrics) that gives it the alternate name of The Kitten Trailer.

For a while they have resisted human contact. But steady work by the Kitty Comforters and the cat-whisperers on staff have produced a more relaxed attitude, in tabby Cricket at least.  Beetle is still somewhat spooked by any movement, and his wariness is reinforced by another black kitten, Frisky, who looks almost identical, but is even warier.

As with Pebble and Sandy, these guys are approaching the stage when they will be released into the general population – and the question will be whether it will be a general release or whether they will join the older pair in one of the feral pens at the back.  Pebble and Sandy resisted all attempts to make contact, but in the last six months or so, volunteers have been reporting regular friendly contact with Pebble, who comes forward to investigate the human intruder, and is willing to accept petting and head-rubs.

A teenage Cricket with distinct cattitude - BC

Beetle is still wary - BC

So visits by staff and volunteers to these youngsters are encouraged, in the hope that we can overcome the fear instinct and get them to accept regular handling.  We’re careful about washing before visiting, so as not to transfer germs from other areas, and currently, we’re saying no Sunday visitors, for their protection. Both are easily coaxed with Temptations, though Beetle at least prefers not to have the hand giving them out too close.  But at some stage they will have to face the bigger Sanctuary world, and we hope they can do it more easily, knowing that humans are their friends.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult & Michele Wright

More on Precious...

Since arriving at the Sanctuary in the beginning of July last year, Precious has charmed her way into the hearts of many volunteers and staff members.  Surprisingly, considering in appearance she is a nondescript black cat, she is easily identified by her outgoing and playful personality.  Her sweetness and adorably crossed eyes have made her something of a celebrity.  It’s a regular occurrence to see Precious take off from the far end of the double wide, charge out through the laundry room door and down to the back porch in the courtyard at top speed. 

Along with being a sprint champion, Precious has claimed one of the red stick toys as her own.  When she hears the rustle of the feathers and tinsel on the top she’ll come out from wherever she might be sleeping to play.  Once she has won the toy out of your hands she will carry it triumphantly, either out to the back courtyard where you can’t take it back, or into the double wide where she will proceed to stuff it behind a scratching post.

Today, while trying to get pictures of her for the blog post, I ran into the same problems getting her photographer as Claire had in previous entries.  She wouldn’t let me stop petting her to take the pictures!  At one point she climbed to the top of the scratching post in the double wide so she could put her paws on my chest and kiss my face!

Precious also loves coffee time with the volunteers and can usually be found sitting with somebody lapping up attention or casually strolling around the table getting to know everybody who’s come to visit with her.

photo by Michele Wright

Guest blogger: Julia Ferguson
Photos: Julia Ferguson & Michele Wright

My buddy Colin

Colin came to us in 2010 as a stray who seemed to want to be friends but just hadn't got the hang of interacting nicely with humans. He'd dance and rub, but then would often get confused about what to do next and would start wildly smacking his visitor. I took a shine to him early, despite the smacking, and kept visiting him as he gradually began to learn better manners.

When I give the cats in the doublewide their dinner once a week, Colin is invariably waiting for me. While I'm opening cans and putting the food on plates, he's there rubbing against my legs and playing around my feet.

Initially, I thought he was just hoping to get closer to the food, but I soon discovered that he wasn't interested in joining the mooching crew on the table. He just wanted to be patted on the head as often as he could inspire me to do so.

I assumed this was a regular thing for him with all the people who came into the building, but Leslie surprised me by noting that she only sees him come out like that when I'm there. I'm not able to come to the sanctuary as often as I used to be (hence fewer blog posts these days), and with only a few hours of kitty visiting time a week, I don't expect the cats to necessarily single me out for special remembrance among all the staff, other volunteers, and visitors they may see from week to week. So it's nice to know that my little buddy Colin doesn't forget about me so easily.

He still has moments when he forgets his manners and gets a bit slappy, but all in all we get along fine. He's my little buddy, after all.

Don't worry, though -- he's hardly lonely when I'm not around. In addition to other human friends he's made over the past few years, he's always got his Salty.

Gregory

Gregory is a somewhat shy but still friendly boy from the back left pen the sanctuary.

The back pens are often home to ferals who like to have a place where they can be close to their cat buddies but not too close to human activity. Gregory was put in a pen when he first arrived as it was impossible to tell how friendly he'd turn out to be. By the time RAPS staff realized he liked people, Gregory had gotten comfortable in his new home and gotten to know the other cats there, so they decided he's be happiest staying where he was. Visitors to the pen often ask who the friendly black cat is and wonder whether he's supposed to be in there or just snuck in from another part of the sanctuary.

Gregory in a cage in the doublewide after being at the vet for a dental

enjoying a chin scratch

Gregory and Dell sharing rubs with each other and their human visitor

Update: Precious

When I started my feeding shift in the doublewide on Monday evening, a very friendly black kitty I hadn't seen in there before approached me with a cheerful request for attention. She seemed familiar, but I just couldn't place her.

She turned out to be Precious, who arrived at the sanctuary last summer. She'd started off in the Connor building, and last I heard she'd been moved to one of the back pens. But Precious just loved people so much that staff decided she's be happier in the doublewide, where there are a lot more opportunities for her to spend time with staff and volunteers and make friends with visitors passing through.

Precious wasted no time in renewing her acquaintance with me, running up to me meowing to say hello, then weaving, rubbing, and reaching up to pat my legs. She truly does love spending time with her human friends.

Norman

Norman came to RAPS via fellow rescue organization VOKRA (Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association). VOKRA had brought him in as a stray and discovered during the routine veterinary exam for new cats that he was FIV positive. They would have liked to give him a foster home where he could be the only cat, but found him to be a bit too nippy to be a good candidate for a placement. And so they asked RAPS to help, as the sanctuary has facilities for cats with FIV -- friendly or not.

Once Norman settled in at the sanctuary, he showed himself to be a sweet, friendly boy. The nipping may have been a symptom of initial stress in a new environment, which he got past. With any luck Norman may find himself able to go to a foster home after all.

Luke

Luke is a feral who came to the RAPS sanctuary about 10 years ago. When he first arrived, he shared a cage with Mario.

Luke has a clipped ear, which indicates that at some point he'd been trapped, neutered, and released back to wherever he was living. Later, someone must have felt the site was no longer safe or that he would be better off at the sanctuary, so he was trapped again and brought in.

He still won't let people get too close, particularly at ground level where he can't be sure that touching won't lead to grabbing. Up high, though, he's a little more confident, and allowed me to get a few photos of him before he scooted off.

Sambuca

Sambuca came to RAPS at the beginning of October. It was hard to tell if she was semi-feral or tame but scared. Now that she's had a bit of time to settle in, we still can't be sure how she'll ultimately feel about us, but it's clear from her behaviour that she's had at least some experience of being near people.

Leslie's been able to pat Sambuca and even get her purring. I was able to get in a pat or two when I went into the cage with her dinner, but she was clearly fearful of me and seemed to hope I would go away quickly so she could safely venture out of the corner she'd retreated to and eat her food. She didn't mind me standing outside her cage, though, and even seemed curious about me. These photos were taken through the cage door.

Dino

Dino came to RAPS as a kitten in 2003, and is one of the original Donni Derr cats.

With double hematomas that have left both ears looking crumpled and a little pink tongue that tends to stick out because he's missing teeth, Dino's looks are more endearingly quirky than classically handsome. It does make him easy to spot if you're looking for him in the front courtyard, though. Just don't expect to get too close, particularly if he hasn't met you before. This gentle boy remains a shy one.

Bryson

Bryson came to RAPS at the end of July. Carol had received a request to come and trap a feral black shorthair mom. She went to the site and successfully trapped a black shorthair, only to discover that the cat was a neutered male.

This cat, who RAPS staff named Bryson, seemed very scared at first, so it was unclear whether he was a stray or a feral who'd been trapped, neutered, and released. But it didn't take him long to stop hiding at the back of his cage and come out for cuddles. Leslie even had to add a warning to the sign on his door that he snuggles right at the cage door. Why is this something to watch out for? He gets so into flopping over and wriggling around that he's oblivious to the possibility of rolling (and falling) right out!

As a result of all this snuggling and wriggling, I was only able to get the one clear photo of him. So people will just have to go visit him in person (he's in the Connor building). Just don't let him get so carried away with visiting that he wriggles out the door.

Precious

Precious, who arrived at the RAPS sanctuary at the beginning of July, is every bit as sweet as her name suggests.

She unfortunately suffers from chronic diarrhea, which is one of the reasons she ended up at the sanctuary. But she doesn't seem to be letting any of this phase her, and receives visitors to her cage in the Connor building with unreserved pleasure. She was so ready to cuddle when I met her this evening that it was tough to get anything but out-of-focus photos of the top of her head as she happily purred and rubbed.

She also likes to give kisses, and spent some of our visit gently licking my hands. A very, very sweet cat. Come and pay her a visit.

Matt

Believe it or not, Matt is the brother of grey & white Freckles (miss January 2014, for those of you who have a copy of the RAPS sanctuary calendar).

Matt is a nice cat, but tends to be shy like his sister. When I met him last week, he was hanging out in the back courtyard behind the singlewide. He wasn't too sure about meeting me at first though, and had to be coaxed into sticking around.

After some reassurance from Leslie, Matt was willing to hang out long enough for me to get a few portrait shots. For those who'd like to get to know him, I hear he loves treats and is more likely to allow approaches for cuddles when there are some treats in it for him.