Tara

Tara - BC

From the Neko-blog founder, Claire, we’ve had an introduction and update to shy orange Tricia, in the double-wide – Tricia used to have to be backed into a corner in order to be reminded that petting felt quite good. She was named for a RAPS supporter who fell in love with her when the little feral first came to us.

Tricia - CP

Tricia didn’t come alone – she was accompanied by her sister, Tara, named for her sponsor’s sister. We’ve had no such taming luck with little sister Tara. This pretty girl hangs round pen 1; she’s fairly social with the other cats, especially her best buddy Gabby, but she feels that humans are still not to be trusted.

Tara lets Gabby know how good it is to see him again - BC

Tara was caged for a couple of months recently while we treated her for a bout of vestibular disease. Often the process of caging a cat gives us the opportunity to swing the kitty comforters into action and habituate a shy feline to more regular handling. It didn’t work this time. Tara regarded all intruders into her cage with horror, and once released, returned to her haunts around pen 1.

"No closer, please!" - MW

But things aren’t quite the same – now she is more inclined to hover just out of reach, allowing the human to approach just to touching range before scuttling another metre away and then turning to stare. She now sports the distinctive post-vestibular head-tilt, as does her pen-mate Tibet – and she has the same half-scared, half-fascinated attitude to people. Tibet now has his favourites with whom to interact; we really hope that Tara will make that final jump to trusting us.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult, Chris Peters, Michele Wright

Buster comes home!

Buster was introduced to us by Claire here and here. Any volunteer working in the Moore House will have stories to tell about this unhappy boy.  But that was in the days before Maureen came into his life!

I remember the first time we saw Buster!  It was our first visit to the cat sanctuary and my sisters and I had parked our car next to the Moore House.  Once out of the car we saw him, a glorious white mass of fur rubbing up against the mesh wall of the patio.  Chris reached in to pat him and woosh…out came a claw and the warning ‘stay away from the big white guy’ was born!

Buster - PH

Easier said than done: I found myself feeling sorry for Buster more and more as the weeks, then months went by.  We always finished up our volunteer hours (yes, we immediately wanted to become volunteers after visiting the sanctuary) in the Moore house and I tried to befriend Buster in different ways.  But to no avail.  It was even noticed by others that he hated the sound of my voice, which would be LOUD, and displayed this by leaving when I would show up.  If I sat on the patio – he went in.  If I sat on the couch inside the trailer – he would go out on the patio.  

Buster - PH

When I first decided to share the idea that had been floating around in my head of taking Buster home, no matter what audience I had, the response was always the same …”Are you insane?!”  I was convinced it would be impossible for Buster to keep up with his façade of despising cats AND humans forever therefore; on Christmas Eve it was my pleasure to be able to pick the big boy up…he was after all part of the master plan.  Thanks to Leslie not worrying about losing digits or having parts of her face rendered unrecognizable within minutes, we managed to net him and get him in a kennel.   And it wasn’t until the unveiling in his new home did Buster decide life could be good!  He came out purring and has not stopped for two months

Apparently I get a larger garden planted just for me in the spring!

His very first night in his new home was spent by my head on a pillow.  He has now since moved down to the end of the bed because I think my snoring bothers him…I’m trying to keep it down. 

Just resting my eyes..... zzzzzz...

Buster is a lovely, loving boy. 

Must be hugged regularly

I did not expect him to turn around so quickly.  He follows me around like a puppy dog and is perfectly trained…he does not sharpen his claws on the furniture and keeps his potty area clean.  I now have him on a grain free diet to help with his weight and we do a lot of playing on my deck with his pom-pom ball and a laser light at night.

One of many sunrises together on the catio!
Lovely... now where's my beef pate?

 He will be looking and feeling better soon as he no longer has to eat to forget! Buster would also like his bio to include that he is afraid of lady bugs, TV and the wind.  He enjoys baroque chamber music and is learning sign language. 

My mommy says the King of Venice rules the body pillow tonight
- Bellissimo!

Esconced in purple velvet...

Fun times are ahead for Buster & Maureen!

Blog by Maureen Lahaise
Photos by Phaedra Hardman and Maureen Lahaise

Buster

I was a little nervous about meeting Buster after reading the sign on the door to his private, no-other-cats-allowed room at the sanctuary: "very upset, aggressive 10-year-old male." Many cats are upset to find themselves suddenly in a shelter, but it seems that Buster had the aggression before that -- it was the reason he was surrendered.

Fortunately, another note has been added to the sign on Buster's door, saying that he can be nice and does enjoy a few pats.... provided they're just around his head and not done for too long.

He did indeed enjoy a few pats from me and purred when I held out my hand for him to rub his face against. I wasn't sure what he'd think of my big camera, so to be safe I held it out for him to inspect before trying to take his photo. He responded by rubbing his face against the lens while continuing to purr.

Apparently he doesn't much like the smell of other cats on his visitors. I was a bit nervous, then, when he hopped down from his bed, and started sniffing my ankles and feet with great intensity. Luckily, he wasn't overly offended by whoever he smelled there, and so I was spared the angry growling.

Casper

I'd heard of and even seen friendly white Casper many times before I finally got a chance to meet him properly and spend little time one-on-one.

He turns out to be a lovely boy, just as advertised.

When I asked Leslie how he came to RAPS, this is what she told me:

Casper lived in a townhouse complex with another fellow we loved, black and white Jake. When the couple they lived with had a baby, they started putting the cats outside and one of their neighbours, a RAPS volunteer, got to know them. One day, the neighbour realized that the cats weren't around anymore, and learned that they'd been given to the SPCA. He was very concerned that the cats might get euthanized if they weren't adopted, so he paid their adoption fee and then brought them to us.

Casper has settled into sanctuary life very well, and loves interacting with visitors. I didn't have any treats with me, but I hear that he loves these as well.

The biggest thing I noticed as I was visiting with him is how unselfconscious he is in his expressions of joy. He strained forward, toes over the edge of the shelf he was standing on, eager to reduce the distance between him and cuddles. When I patted him and tickled his chin, he totally gave himself over to just enjoying the moment.

For anyone who hasn't yet had the pleasure of a visit with Casper, I heartily recommend it!

Whiskers (II)

Whiskers originally came from the Burnaby SPCA. Like Sophie and George, she was adopted from RAPS by Ruth, one of our volunteers. When Ruth passed away not long ago, Whiskers and her housemates were brought back to the cat sanctuary.

Like the other cats with whom Ruth had shared her home, Whiskers is a delightful cat and very adoptable. When I visited with her on Monday, she was purrs and gentle rubs and cuddles.

Timmy

Timmy arrived at the sanctuary in the first week of October. He'd been adopted from RAPS several years ago, but was returned when a relative with allergies moved into the home.

He may remain at the sanctuary or be moved to the No. 5 Rd. shelter when there's space so he can meet lots of people and have another chance at finding a forever home.

When I met him last Monday evening, he'd only been at the sanctuary for a few days. While he opted to stay on his safe and comfy perch rather than come to the cage door for a sniff or cuddle, his expression and movements as he peered at me showed a sort of cheerful curiosity. He looks like he'll be a nice boy.

Mama Mia

Mama Mia was brought to RAPS along with Dinky and her other offspring when the people who'd been putting out food for them in their yard could no longer do so.

Initially housed together with her family in the feral-friendly BC Packers Pen in the rear of the sanctuary, Mama Mia was later moved inside to the Singlewide where she can currently be found.

With the same ongoing ear problems as her son, Dinky, Mama Mia recently had to have a portion of her ear removed just like he did. When I photographed her a little over a week ago, she was still wearing her cone from the vet. Though understandably not delighted about the situation, she bore it with good grace.

Mama Mia had become quite tame for the woman who'd been putting food out for her at her home and given her and her kittens their names, but it still took Mama Mia a little while to get used to her new human friends at RAPS. Linda remembers her as quite mistrustful at first. Trust was earned, though, and now Mama Mia very much enjoys being brushed and having her head rubbed.

Even with her new RAPS friends, Mama Mia never forgot the people who'd first welcomed her and her little family and given them a safe haven. When the son of the woman who used to feed them came to the sanctuary to visit, Mama Mia remembered him and was delighted to see him.

It still takes her a few moments to really warm up to people she doesn't know, but only a few moments. A soft voice and a gentle hand, and she's bestowing little headbutts in no time.

Dinky

When Dinky and his siblings were feral kittens, their mom found them a house where they could count on food being put out by the couple who lived there. The mom, named Mama Mia by the human carers, got comfortable enough that she would even go into the house, but Dinky & Co. weren't ready to be so brave.

Time passed and the couple were no longer together. And so Mama Mia and her still feral kids were brought to the RAPS sanctuary to be looked after. Leslie put them all in the BC Packers pen together, feeling that was the place they would feel most comfortable.

On arrival, the whole family was found to have chronic respiratory, eye and ear trouble. Dinky had to come in for treatment the most often, and so he became tamest soonest.

Volunteer Linda was one of the ones called upon to help with the taming. Here's what she remembers:

I got to know him a couple of years ago when Leslie asked me to befriend him and see if he would let me brush him, etc.

When I first started visiting Dinky in the pen and he didn't want anything to do with me, another of the cats (very feral - he would hiss and spit at me) would herd Dinky over towards me. It was most interesting to observe, as obviously the other cat felt that Dinky needed me!

It took a while, but once he realized how good a brushing felt, I could go into the pen and call "Dinky, brushing!" and he would come out from wherever. Then he allowed me to pick him up and put him on the wooden ledge (easier on my back to brush him). And he just loves to have his head rubbed. That was a bit of a challenge when he had the collar on, but I managed!

White cats are apparently especially prone to skin problems, up to and including cancer, on their sensitive ears. Not long ago, an ugly tumor formed on Dinky's left ear that had to be removed along with the top portion of the ear.

What with meds, a cone from the vet and general discomfort, Dinky wasn't a happy boy for a little while there and would mostly hide behind his privacy curtain. When I visited him earlier this week, he was looking much happier, sitting out in the open where he could check out what was going on and where people wouldn't forget to stop by his cage and pay him a visit. Or two or three.

Nelson

There's nothing really special about Nelson's story, but I find that in itself makes him worthy of a little extra attention.

photo by Barbara

He came to RAPS 7 or 8 years ago, likely after being surrendered. He's always been a nice cat, but since he doesn't try to initiate contact with humans like some of our more outgoing residents, he doesn't get much attention from people.

With other cats, he has even less luck. Leslie says he sometimes get into fights because some of the other cats just don't seem to like him, almost as if there's a vibe he gives off that they object to.

Since he never pushed himself forward for me to notice him, I'm ashamed to say that until this week I was one of the many who tended to pass him by.

He's currently in a cage while being treated for a cold. I gave him a little pat along with his dinner, as I do with the caged cats who don't look likely to shred me for my troubles. Rarely have I seen a response of such gentle delight: I barely had to touch him before he was beaming at me and kneading the air with his paws. After that, it was all purrs and rubs.

It makes me wonder - how many other shelter cats allow themselves to get passed over because they don't think to speak until they're spoken to?

Lilo & Noel

8 year old Lilo and 2 year old came to RAPS as a pair, surrendered by a young woman whose circumstances were such that she could no longer afford to keep them. I hear she originally adopted the two girls from the No. 5 Road Shelter, so they are in a sense coming back to RAPS. The sanctuary is entirely new to them though, so they will take some time to adjust.

Noel, the younger of the two, is an alert, purring, wriggling ball of happy who is settling in remarkably quickly when you consider they only arrived last Saturday.

Lilo has a quieter sort of sweetness about her at the moment. She was willing engage me and allowed me to stroke her at length... but only from the inside of her carrier. I've heard she's also taking out some of her frustration on Noel, so that both cats had to be given their own sets of dry food and water dishes in different parts of the cage or Lilo wouldn't let Noel get at the food. It takes time for an 8 year old cat who's just lost her home and her human.

Updated November 23, 2010: I'm delighted to report that Lilo and Noel have been adopted by one of our volunteers!

Charmin

Even for those who may consider themselves at least passably fluent in feline, cats can sometimes be a bit hard to figure.

The signs providing information on any cats being kept in cages will sometimes include a note warning that this particular inmate is especially determined to get the heck out of that cage at the first opportunity. This is understandable. We don't tend to think of cats as really relishing the idea of a cage. And then we see cats like Aurora, who have no interest in leaving the cage once the door has been left open -- indefinitely. And then there is Charmin, who can't seem to resist scooting into any and every cage at the first opportunity. When I'm opening the doors to various cages at dinnertime, she'll often appear by my feet, looking for an opening to slip in far more eagerly than the cat on the other side is looking to zip out.

As far as distinguishing characteristics go, Charmin's other one doesn't require the opening of a cage door to notice:

Yes, another member of the RAPS one-eyed cat club. 

Here's her story, told by Leslie (originally published in The Love Blog, July 2009):

"Charmin, our one-eyed Persian, was surrendered to RAPS as a high-strung young cat many years ago. We found a loving home for her, but her situation deteriorated a couple of years later. The young couple had a baby and then decided to get a puppy. All of that activity was too much for Charmin, and she started to urinate around her home. RAPS has a policy of always taking back the animals we adopt, and Charmin has a permanent home at our sanctuary."

I'm told that Charmin originally came to us with the full ocular complement, but somewhere along the way suffered a rupture of the right eye, leaving her with just the left. Persian cats can be particularly prone to eye problems due to the shape of their faces.

This doesn't seem to stop Charmin from doing any of the things she wants to do, though, from presenting herself to available visitors or volunteers for a little attention to conducting regular inspections of any cages she can wrangle access to. Always making sure she's not missing out on a thing.

Snowball

Daphne (aka Lacey), Leo and Angel had all been fostered in a home with three cats already in residence. When they all had to be brought to the shelter, they were allowed to stay together.

Snowball is a beautiful white longhair with blue eyes. I hear she has a slight limp, which she was born with, but it doesn't appear to bother her and it's easy to forget she even has it.

Snowball has a really nice personality to go with her good looks. In spite of this, I worry that she's unlikely to be adopted - for the simple reason that she's 9. She hardly seems like an old cat, but many if not most people think twice about taking in and getting attached to an animal already approaching 10. And yet I had a cat live to 22!

After I took Daphne and Leo home, the other four cats were released from their small enclosure to join the general population of the shelter. I try to find and check in on them whenever I'm there. Snowball's taken the transition with good grace, still napping in soft places and purring when roused. This in spite of indignities such as being thrown up on as she had been one time I came to see her or having a chunk of fur pulled out by some bad tempered cat on another. And she needs a good brush.

And yet when I took the picture above, it was almost impossible to get a focused shot because she wouldn't stop purring and trying to climb in my lap for a cuddle. Most of them came out like this:

Updated October 4, 2010: Wonderful news - Snowball and her good friend Angel have been adopted together!