Balak

 Balak is one of our multitude of little black cats.  

Balak - KN

She came to us in the summer of 2018, a feral brought to us by VOKRA – her feral status as part of a TNR program can be seen in her clipped ears – and she began her stay in the DoubleWide.  Many of the DW starters, once their cage is opened, make their way to the covered deck area – home from home for the semi-ferals. There they have all the comforts of living inside, without the pressure of constantly having to interact with humans.

This was as much as we ever saw of her - KN

Balak was one of the most shy cats of the bunch.  On the deck there are lots of places to hide – draped shelves, high-up runways, cuddled with other cats in an anonymous pile.  Balak took hiding to an extreme, not only hiding under one of the big arm-chairs, but worming her way inside the chair, so that even when it was moved for cleaning the floor, she remained in hiding.

Braving the big wide world - LBF

She must have been on the DW deck for almost two years, when she suddenly decided that life could hold more, took her courage in her paws and made her way to the main door.  At first, the move was not noticed – we saw so little of her that her absence on the deck wasn’t really noted. But several people commented on a new black cat in the back courtyard, and we realised that it was Balak who had relocated.

Becoming more relaxed - LBF

The move did wonders for her. There are many hiding places adjacent to the Newcomers and the SingleWide building, and many other wary cats who hang out there – Sylar and Quinn, Steele and Smithy, Midnight and Magpie, to name a few – and Balak found her own hidey-holes. But the move gave her fresh confidence, and we started seeing her out in the open more frequently.

Up on the roof - MS

In fact, she takes “out in the open” to extremes, just as she did with her DW deck hiding place. In good weather, she can frequently be found on top of Waldi’s Hut, queen of all she surveys. There are always a few cats who sit by the fence and watch for bird and rat movement in the brambles just outside;  Balak prefers to think bigger, watching activity both in the Sanctuary and much further afield. 

Indulging in a little 'nip - KN

Balak is not likely to be one of those ferals who suddenly decides that humans are OK and that she wants to be friends, though she is on the verge of accepting tidbits by hand. For now, she is still very wary around us, and she has not ventured into the TeaRoom with the really sociable cats. But she explores the area quite openly, and she’s one of the few females who hangs around with the Boys Club guys.

Balak with Sylar and Smithy - KN

After years of defining all the Sanctuary cats as “unadoptable”, we are working very hard with the ones who have potential, to find them cat-savvy homes with people who understand the issues around working with a semi-feral cat. But there’s a big difference between a cautious cat like Leona, who has gone to her own home with a volunteer, and one like Balak, who still fears interaction with humans – Balak is still very much a feral, and as such, is one of many cats who relies on us for a place of Sanctuary.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen, Karen Nicholson & Molly Sjerdal

Phoebe & Joey

Phoebe - KN

For cats who have come to us from a home, it can be a shock to the system, suddenly to be surrounded by so many other cats. All newcomers spend some cage-time on arrival, to give them a chance to acclimate to noises and smells, but reactions vary when the cage door is opened.  Some swagger out, full of confidence, ready to be boss-cat.  Others refuse to emerge at all and huddle in a corner, or keep themselves very much to themselves. It can sometimes take a while before they find a place in the new feline society.

Phoebe & Joey together - LBF

Brother and sister, Joey and Phoebe came to us last summer when their owner died. They had originally been RAPS cats, and adopted when they were kittens; now, at around 13 years old, they were not so immediately adoptable – especially when there were much younger cats at the Shelter. We found a place for them in the Single-Wide, and they had their obligatory cage-time together.

Phoebe yawn - LBF

These two are not small cats!  Phoebe, in particular, has a real presence to her, and even in our largest cage, it was difficult to find space to visit with them. We already had a section of the Single-Wide blocked off for Frankie’s use – Frankie hated all cats, and pretty well all humans except one – and when Frankie moved into fosterage with Louise, Phoebe and Joey were transferred into that area.  It became clear that the two tolerated each other, but were not actually bonded, and when their “cage” was opened, they found their own areas to live in.

Joey comes to investigate - LBF

Joey is pretty much a loner – a trait that was exacerbated by a burst ear-drum. We don’t know what caused it, but it necessitated the usual treatment for cats with inner ear problems – a cage with no shelf, nothing to climb on, and lots of quiet time.

Joey lounging safely at floor level - LP

The quiet time seems to have suited Joey very well, because he still prefers to be in that cage, even though the door is wide open, and other cats may come and go, and visit as they please.  Joey is diabetic, which makes any adoption prospects even slimmer.

Phoebe flirt - KN

His sister Phoebe (known as Princess Sassy Pants) is not exactly social – but she’s not afraid of other cats, and not reluctant to swat them when someone encroaches on what she feels to be her territory.  She quite likes people – especially the ones who come and play with her – but she considers herself very much queen of all she surveys. If Phoebe wants the chair, Phoebe gets the chair; if she wants on a shelf, other cats had better get out of her way. She can be a flirt if she wants attention; she can also do her best “We are not amused!” stare when things don’t go as she expects.

If the bag won't cooperate, squash it! - KN

At feeding time, we found that it’s a good idea to give Phoebe her own plate first, to minimize aggression with other cats. It’s interesting to look back on the photos from when these two first came in – sharing a cage was no problem to them then, but now Phoebe really needs her own space, and doesn't care much for Joey.  Because they were presented to us as bonded siblings, and Joey’s diabetes was a barrier to adoption, it wasn’t considered for Phoebe;  now she's off to the new Adoption Centre to see whether someone might not have a home to offer where she can reign as senior royalty .

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen, Karen Nicholson, Lisa Parker 

Puma's World

 Pauline Chin takes us to the Moore House

Puma - KN

The Moore House is intended as a quiet retreat for our senior cats where they can live without constant activity and change.  However, some happy changes took place took place there in the last month or so.  Bluebell received treatment for her ears, got a lion cut, and she spends most of her time camping in her tent.  Shaggy and Chanel have become a close couple.  Earl has claimed the box bed and armchair by the back window.  Most importantly, Smokey got moved into the side room.  Now she has an entire room to herself and she can still watch for intruders.  With Smokey out of sight, Puma has greatly expanded his world.

Puma hiding from the world - PC

This nice, but nervous 16 year old was surrendered in the summer.  He spent extra weeks hiding in his cage, despite the door being wide open.  Volunteers would go in to brush and invite him outside, but it was a no go.  At some point, he decided the neighbouring cage was nicer to live in.  Every little while he would take a few steps away from his home to check things out.  

Bluebell & Earl Grey - PC

Coming out onto the deck was a major step for him.  He’d approach the door and look around.  Sometimes, he’d walk out.  He’d stay for a minute, then retreat.  The deck regulars (Shaggy, Chanel, Earl, Bluebell, Rufus) didn’t mind his presence; there was always space to sit down.  It was the eagle-eyed stares from Smokey above the cagetops that sent Puma packing.  Smokey is not an explorer; she only comes down to floor level for food and waste elimination.  Chances are, they had an unpleasant first impression.  Ask almost anyone and they’ll tell you about their unforgettable encounter with her.

Smokey now has a room all to herself - PC

Since Smokey has her own room now, Puma has been walking all over the trailer without worry.  The only thing I’ve seen spook him is the sound of heavy footfalls.  He’d flee and return as soon as the thuds disappeared.  The vibrations travelling through the wooden floor make it feel like the beginning of an earthquake.  Can’t blame him for hiding.

Smokey says "someone's watching me..."  - KN

I find he seems overly curious about the grey cat.  I wouldn’t say infatuated, but no one gets in close proximity to Smokey without good reason. Like good (or nosey) neighbours, Puma and Earl have decided to take turns checking on Smokey.  Sometimes, they would sit outside her door for a bit, while Smokey gladly ignores their caterwauling.  A blanket on the lower half of the door gives her privacy.

Puma and his best friend - DJ

With winter temperatures in full swing, Puma has discovered another joy – the heater!  Forget the cage.  He loves the appliance so much that he spends 95% of his time next to it.  Blankets have been placed around the heater for his comfort.  

the best warm nap...  AR

While the other cats favour swarming any human that sits on the couch, Puma gleefully stays by the heater.  Should he approach, he would appreciate gentle pets and grooming.  He’d be grateful if you could keep the other cats at least a couple feet away.  (Sorry, Shaggy.)

Shaggy, Bluebell and Chanel are all encouraged
to stay well away from Puma's heater  -  PC

Like many elderly cats, the extra dose of heat makes an incredible difference in their world.  Ask well-aged humans how the cold feels on them - it makes their joints ache, there are challenges of staying warm, and general malaise.  It’s very much the same for cats.  Some senior kitties refuse to get out of bed. They spend all day by a heat source to keep warm, have a shorter fuse, or pass on physical activities.  Puma has hit his stride and has newfound confidence.  If heat makes him so happy, in another 5 months, he’ll be ecstatic when he gets to sunbathe on the deck.

KN

Blog by Pauline Chin

Photos by Pauline Chin, Daphne Jorgenson, Karen Nicholson, Anne Rainbow

Kitties from Haida Gwaii

 We are enjoying the company of two cats who have come to us from far in the north-west of BC. 

Oscar (L) & Charlotte (R) - LBF

All around the province there are rescues that do wonderful work, but the long-term future of cats in their care is limited because their space and resources are also limited.  If the cat is very feral, sometimes the only thing to be done is to spay/neuter it and return it to its source. Feral cats tend not to live long lives, but you have to balance a life lived in safety but also in fear, and one lived in the surroundings it knows.

I'd rather stay here, thank you....   KN

Sometimes the cat is obviously a stray and not a feral, and the issue then is finding it a home. If that is not possible in the community, it may be possible in another one.  And just occasionally it’s a feral cat, but the rescue thinks there’s hope, with time – and RAPS has time and space for that work. The rescues are often able to partner with a local airline, and we pick the newcomer up at the airport.

Any closer, and I'll smack you! - KN

Oscar was found at a dump in Haida Gwaii.  He is a big blond former tom-cat, who began by trying to convince us that he truly was a grouch, but isn’t quite up to keeping up with the act. His game is given away by his teddy-bear companion; staff and volunteers have to be careful to leave Ted where Oscar can see him.  As we do with most ferals, we have left Oscar’s carrier in his cage, and he prefers to hide in it for the greater part of the day, emerging occasionally to observe the world from a different angle. When you enter his cage, he retreats, but he is much less hissy than on arrival, and with the people of whom he approves, he will allow a little touching - and loves to play.

Smiling for string-toy play - PC

He reminds me very much of OJ in pen 4 – and he may yet end up in that feral pen – but we’re going to make every effort to reach the pussycat hidden behind those hisses. He’s not very fond of the other cats that pass his cage.  In many ways he reminds us more of Ranger, both physically and in attitude.  Ranger (who also came from the NorthWest) is still in pen 4, but by his own choice now; he will come out occasionally, but it’s now “his” space. It will be interesting to see if Oscar acclimates in the same way. The Kitty Comforters are spending a lot of quality time with him!

Wide-eyed scared kitten when she first came - KN

Oscar’s travelling mate is very unlike him. Charlotte is a tiny girl with a lot of fluff. She’s still quite young – less than two years old, we think – but she’s had a litter of kittens. She was put in one of the quieter cages, and with some reason at the beginning – she appeared to be terrified. But scared and hissy as she is, she’s actually made more progress than Oscar in terms of getting out of her carrier, and in interacting with humans.

Playing with her buddy Jackie O  -  LBF

Her age is a bonus; she’s young enough to want to play, and that offers bonding right away. Kitty Comforters with patience (and a pocketful of treats) are coaxing her into trust, and her cage door is now open, though she prefers to remain in its safety.  She is less stand-offish with other cats than Oscar is; she has bonded with the cat who was in the next-door cage, Jackie O, and the two of them have been found cuddling together.  She’s even been seen to roll over and expose her tummy to a visitor – an indicator of trust, though not an invitation for belly-rubs (yet).

Looking more adult...   LBF

Ferals progress at very different rates. Star and Leona, who came in together, are light-years apart – Star wants nothing to do with us, but Leona, with patience, may be adoptable.  The same with these two – it’s way too early to determine that Charlotte will be adopted out, but the potential is there, and we will give her every chance to find her own home and her own person.

Pretty kitten - LBF

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen, Pauline Chin & Karen Nicholson

Boys' Club

Luke, Bodhi, Guthrie - KN

 Because RAPS came into being through the efforts of founder Carol Reichert and her supporters to get all our Richmond feral cats spayed and neutered, that vital operation happens for every cat that comes into our care at the Sanctuary.

Pax - KN

Sometimes it comes a little late – handsome Pax has no doubt sired many of the kittens that have been adopted out in the last year, and may be father of some of those currently in residence. Every kitten that leaves the Shelter leaves with the promise of spay/neuter when they are old enough. And gradually, other than in hoarding situations, we hope that the feral population is dwindling.

Tuxie Frank and his grey buddy Jim are known as FrankenJim - KN

So sexual instincts don’t come into play with our cats. We certainly have our bonded pairs – Frank and Jim in the Val Jones area, Adam and May, Rudolph and Salish in pen 5, and many others – but the essence of the attraction is comfort and familiarity. 

Boy buddies now gone: Ridley, Salty & Sid - MW

We also have our cat-magnets – our beloveds now gone across the Bridge: Mario, Salty, Daniel – and several other cats that draw other cats to them. This can be very clearly seen in the back courtyard, near the Newcomers area.  

Sprocket, Woody & Pumpkin - KN

Tabby Woody has been with us for many years, and has always been popular with other cats, but increasingly we’re seeing groups gathering around him.  His best buddy seems to be tuxedo Moxie, but recently he’s been found cuddling with Pumpkin or with Sprocket, and the latter, who began his time with us as Tiger’s buddy, has also found a following. The deck of Newcomers is their usual area.

Steele, Smithy & Quinn - KN

Six or seven yards away is another similar group – Quinn and Sylar, who hang out around Waldi’s Hut, with Smithy from pen 8.  On the fringe of that group is long-haired Steele, and Midnight, who began in the front courtyard and made his way to the back. Quinn and Sylar are tempted by food and long to get closer to tidbits, but are easily put off by braver, more assertive cats. The others know they’re being coaxed and they’re not interested! There are lots of good hiding places behind the bed-shelves and they like to stay out of sight. Other boys are less specifically a part of either group, but like to hang around in the same area – Albi, Rookie, Moxie, Skittles and several others. 

Moxie, Smithy, Quinn & Albie (Steele hiding at back) - KN

There's a similar group centered on Pen 1, and led by tabby Zivko, who can sometimes be heard calling his buddies to a Very Important Meeting

Pavel, Kevin, Zivko & Booty - LBF

It’s noticeable that the females - with the exception of Balak - tend not to hang around with these males. The Love-Birds in Pen 5 and the pen 8 girls are also inclined to stay in the area where they feel safe.  Other females stay closer to the Tea Room and the path to the back pens. It sometimes feels like the Newcomers and courtyard has a sign that says NO GURLZ ALOWD. There is no aggression – it’s just very clearly a feline Boys' Club..

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen, Karen Nicholson and Michele Wright

It's Wally!

Wally is a late summer arrival from VOKRA (Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association).  He is a large tuxedo guy at the ripe age of 10 years.  His glorious black coat has random hairs of white, resembling snowflakes and big white feet to match.  Wally’s face has the typical street cat look of tomcat jowls, slightly tattered ears, scraggly whiskers, and scowling eyes.  No wonder he was a tough nut to crack.

KN

As an FIV cat, he was not an easy prospect for adoption, which is why he has come to us;  you will find him in the Val Jones area, off the front courtyard.  Initially, he wasn’t keen on any offerings from visitors.  If anything, he’d give you the side eye in return.  For a brief 2 weeks, he had some ear trouble and had to wear an e-collar.  It sure didn’t elevate his mood.  He spent the days lounging at the top of cat trees.  The best surprise was yet to come.  

MD

When temperatures dropped, he pulled a 180 - warming up to people and spawning quite a fan club by the end of October.  His popularity soared especially amongst the human females.  He’s not shy around strangers, either. Even the Val Jones Corner cats befriended him.  In fact, the only soul who doesn’t enjoy Wally’s company is Magnus.  Magnus just doesn’t like any cats.

PC

Wally soon took up the role of greeter cat.  First one to the gate means first one to get goodies!  After a human enters the gate, Wally would “happen to walk by” and meow out a “hello” in his raspy, soprano voice.  Unlike Pax who often sits upright like a statue to be admired, Wally would approach the visitor and expect treats or physical affection.  He’s open to being pet almost all over (the belly is 50/50), enjoys nearly any food, some brushing, and being told what a cool cat he is.  For catnip, he’s a muncher and a roller.  You’ll see him eating it.  Turn away for a second, and there’ll be green stuff all over him.  Toys are not really his thing, but you can try.  These days, his expectations are high.  Lavish him with gifts or he’ll go into a corner and mope.  And no, you can’t make him wait his turn.

KN

With the chilly air came a new heat lamp on the porch of one of the huts. Wally quickly took to the warm gift and was joined by several others.  The disinterested cats stuck to the heat panels in the huts.  Seeing Wally cuddled up with Jim and Frank became a common sight.  I’ve even found Frank giving Wally a meow-sage.  What a lucky cat!

KN

To be admired by cats is something many humans at the Sanctuary strive for.  For cats, to be admired by humans is a goal only for some and even less achievable by most.  Wally managed to achieve both within 2 months of arrival.  That is a monumental feat for any cat.  Here’s hoping Wally becomes a longtime resident, as I’m sure there are many people who would love to meet this whiskered wonder. 

Blog by Pauline Chin

Photos by Pauline Chin, Melanie Draper, Karen Nicholson

Ginger Genes

Chumley, Siskel and hissy Roland - KN

Orange cats are favourites for many of us at the Sanctuary – and their personalities are as diverse as the cats themselves. They range from cats that are loving and attention-seeking to the ones who hide away and hope you won’t notice them. 

Sweet Rodan is a barn-cat who loves people - MW

All orange cats are tabbies of one kind or another, though with some the tabby patterning may be hard to distinguish. They are predominantly male – one in five (perhaps slightly more) is female. The red colouring is on the X chromosome; females (XX) need both parents to carry the colouring pattern, males (XY) only need it from one parent. However, the same colouring patterns can create tortoiseshell and calico cats – and those cats are predominantly female.

Sprocket was still wary - MW

We’ve had a good example of this nearby. One of Richmond’s many recreational areas, the Bridgeport trail was built on a former CN rail corridor. The pathway has become well used by walkers, but also by coyotes, raccoons and an assortment of feral cats, who have found hiding places in adjacent properties. Retired RAPS volunteer Elizabeth must hang a feline “welcome” sign out, since she had brought us several cats she has trapped over the years, and trapper Stephanie knows the area well. It was Stephanie who brought us two orange boys back in 2018 – one long-hair and one short-hair, and likely brothers. She named them Rocket and Pocket – when they came to us Pocket was for some reason renamed Sprocket. In the course of the inevitable testing and neutering, it was found that Rocket was FIV+, and he was placed in the New Aids are;  Sprocket, after the obligatory cage-stay, was released in the back courtyard.

Sprocket with best buddy Pumpkin - MW

Both boys had obviously never been handled – they were true ferals.  After an initial period of hiding from everything, Sprocket made friends with Double-Wide buddy Tiger, and when Tiger was adopted, with a number of other back courtyard cats; he learned from them that humans were not as scary as they looked. He is still a little wary, but much more confident; he will allow touch, though he’s not a lap-cat, and he loves to explore.

Rocket spent a lot of time hiding and peeking out at us - LBF

Rocket, on the other hand, buddied up with a bunch of FIV+ cats who were as feral as he was, and for some time, all we would see of him would be a disappearing tail. He knew every hiding place in the pen, and when he finally ventured into the cabin, it was to get as high up and out of the way as possible.  It has taken a lot of patient work on the part of Kitty-Comforters and volunteers, but he is now allowing himself to be found within reach, and to be petted and given treats. The boy who wouldn’t allow us to look at him is now rumbling like a motor when stroked, and starting to look for attention.

Now the bum goes up for petting! - KN

In the summer of 2019 a growing colony of cats was tracked down and trapped in the same area. All the youngest ones were tamed and adopted out; but a group of then-adolescents were too old for taming to be an easy prospect and were popped into Pen 6. The majority of the colony were black – the two males we think were the primary sires (Zeus and Pax) were black, but there were a number of tortie females – and there’s that genetic link for the red colouring. 

Mercury spent his time hiding from us - LBF

One of shyest of the teens was an orange boy we called Mercury, and as he has grown, and become less terrified of us, it’s become obvious that he is related to Sprocket and Rocket, though he’s at least a year younger.  We’ve occasionally encountered Mercury and Sprocket staring at each other through the gate like mirror images.

Now he's allowing us to get much closer - LBF

Right now, the Pen 6 cats are still too wary to be released, but they are making steady progress, with play and food on offer. When they finally emerge, I will look forward to watching the two ginger boys meet in person!

Not much doubt that these two are related!  - KN/LBF

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen & Karen Nicholson