BFFs Living Apart

Careen  (MW)

 For years, Pen 5 was the home of the bonded cats – pretty Salish and black Rudolph, siblings Adam and May, the menage a trois of Walker, Capilano and Chinook, and best girlfriends Careen and Willow. Only Adam and May remain – five others have passed over the last couple of years, and the two grey girls have gone their different ways.

Willow & Careen on Pen 5 porch    (KN)

Willow and Careen loved each other’s company. They came from different places, but each recognized a kindred spirit in the other.  For a while Willow was caged with an ear infection that affected her balance (vestibular disease) and when she recovered, she could often be found cuddling on the deck of the Pen 5 hut with Careen. She still carries her head slightly tilted - a long-term result of that condition.

The perfect way to spend and afternoon   (LBF)

But Willow has always been more of a wanderer than her buddy; Pen 5 was not her only home, and she could often be found bunking in Waldi’s hut – I suspect she liked that it was warmer.  Careen stayed around Pen 5, and enjoyed interacting with visitors at the weekend; she’s a gentle girl who likes attention and was always popular.

Willow, cosied up in Waldi's hut   (JN)

However, we began to notice that all was not well:  her fur became patchy and harsh, she put on weight, but not in a good way. Finally she was brought into the DoubleWide and caged for medical care.  Tests focused on hormonal changes, but in the end it was established that she was diabetic, and needed to join the cats who are checked regularly, and given twice-daily insulin. Because she was largely an outdoor cat, there was some discussion about transferring her to the SingleWide, to be with the other diabetic cats who live there – but in the end, it was decided that the med staff would see how well she could be managed for medication in surroundings she knew.

Careen enjoying the cage-tops   (BC)

In fact, it turned out to be unwarranted concern – having been caged in the DW, and had her initial treatments there, Careen decided that this was the place that she was most comfortable, and established herself as a regular DW cat. Occasionally the med staff have to coax her down from the cage-top to have her insulin shot, but when the latter is usually accompanied by a dish of tasty food, it didn’t take long for Careen to adapt to the new routine.

Waiting for her meds - and the tasty treats that come with them  (BC)

Sadly, it’s meant that she’s opted to remain an indoor cat, and has lost contact with Willow. And since all the tasty stuff is found there, Careen’s not got much incentive to explore outside her immediate surroundings.  Willow continues to migrate from Pen 5 to Waldi’s Hut, and enjoys interacting with volunteers and visitors in the main courtyard; she’ll often join us at coffee time for a little petting and a few tidbits, but she doesn’t venture into the DW.  As it gets warmer, the outer door is occasionally propped open, so there’s less of a barrier – I can’t help hoping that one of the pair ventures outside her immediate comfort zone and encounters her friend again, renewing a long friendship currently on hiatus.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen, Brigid Coult,
Joanne Nicholson, Karen Nicholson, Michele Wright

Farewell to Hope

Hope was a gentle presence  (MW)

There are a number of cats who have lived with us since they were feral kittens, since the days when the focus of the Sanctuary was rescue alone, and adoptions rarely happened. Many of those cats grew old with the Sanctuary as their home, and in their later years, it was considered better not to uproot them unless they clearly bonded with a specific person.

Hope was definitely one of those cats.

brother GusGus with Hope (BD)

She came to us with her family from Marpole – papa-cat was named Hudson, for the street where he was trapped. Mama was a shy feral called Joanie who was never very comfortable around people. She lived in the back courtyard, but Hudson and the three kittens were front courtyard cats.  The other two kittens were boys – shy Domino, with his striking ‘tache markings, and beautiful GusGus, who was one of my sponsor cats, and dearly loved, till he passed of feline leukemia.  

The younger Hope was a solid cat!  (MW)

Hope, in her teenage years, got into everything – she was described as the fastest cat in the Sanctuary, and you had to watch the gates when she was around. She was one of the cats who loved grass, and looked longingly at the clumps of greenery just outside the entry. All her life she had the softest fur – velvet-smooth and a pleasure to touch. But petting her was all about her timing – if she didn’t want it, you couldn’t get her up on your lap!  Luckily, as she aged, the agenda changed, and Hope went looking for laps and for petting.

with age, she became more frail,  and her eyes a darker topaz  (KN)

She always attracted the visitors, who were drawn by the big eyes and the pink nose and that plushy fur – repeat visitors would ask for her, and nervous newcomers would become cat converts under her attention. You could count on Hope for visiting days – sometimes visiting laps on the benches, sometimes holding court in the Connor.

Carly made a comfy cushion  (CT)

She was one of our more social cats. We have our share of loners, and cats who prefer to be by themselves, but Hope loved her girlfriends, Carly and Celine, and could often be found sharing a bed with them, or waiting hopefully with them for dinner to be dished up.

Dropping a hint to Celine (JR)

They will miss her, as we will

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Barbara Doduk, Melanie Draper,
Karen Nicholson, Jill Rabin, Cheryl Townsend, Michele Wright

Kiefer

Kiefer  (KN)

During a recent snuggle session with some Single-Wide buddies, we were rudely interrupted by a big black cat who decided that he wanted in on cuddling as well. 

With long-haired brother Indiana  (DW)

 Kiefer came to us about six years ago, in company with his brother Indiana.  The two were very close, initially, but on release, it was long-haired Indiana who approached volunteers and visitors for petting and attention, while Kiefer took himself out of reach. In fact, it became apparent that Indy wanted to be with people so much that someone finally stepped up and adopted him.  Kiefer didn’t show any signs of distress, but he also didn’t change his habits, and was generally to be found on one of the upper walkways on the deck – watching, but not participating.

Kiefer the loner  (KH)

In the intervening years he has largely kept himself to himself. He’s not scared or aggressive with humans, he doesn’t dislike other cats...  But he has that black-cat way of disappearing when he doesn’t want to be noticed.

Kiefer tucked away (KN)

Recently that seems to have changed. Kiefer is now down at floor-level (or on the back of the couch) more often than not, and is more confident in approaching people for the petting and attention that he used to dislike. There are some volunteers that he seems to like particularly, and he comes to investigate when they arrive. He still prefers to be on the deck – but he’s investigating the main room more frequently.

Braving a visit to the main room  (KH)

In the last year he’s even braved the crowd looking for attention from weekend visitors, and can often be found pushing his way under a caressing hand. He likes it best when someone will sit with him on the chair by the mesh, and he will weave his way from that seat to the cat-tree. Food is not a major motivator, though he’s happy to take what’s offered as long as it’s not directly from the hand; he’d rather pick it up from floor or shelf. 

Are you offering pets?   (KN)

what he wants is human attention – he’s not close with most of the other cats, and prefers to keep himself to himself. Apparently he has been caught pee-ing in the wrong places – but like some of our other “inappropriate urinators”, he may be stressed by the presence of others, and would do better on his own.

Reaching out from his favourite place on the deck
towards the back courtyard   (KN)

This is another boy who suffers somewhat from Black Cat Syndrome – it’s very easy to miss him, and he will take himself out of sight when he’s not sure about the company.  But for lovers of house-panthers, I think Kiefer would be a winner, now that he’s feeling braver.  Come and meet him!

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Kim Howe, Karen Nicholson, Debbie Wolanski

Double-Wide Kramer

Kramer  (BC)

In the last few months, volunteers have been asking “who is that beautiful cat in the DoubleWide?” - and the cat in question usually turns out to be our handsome Kramer.

Showing off the tail floof   (DJ)

Kramer is the second cat by that name – his predecessor was also tabby and fluffy, but preferred the outdoor life in Pen 5; this boy likes the comforts of warmth and cosy beds and food at hand.  He’s a big handsome boy with a magnificent floof of a tail, and he reminds me very much of big tabby Zander, who was a resident of the Sanctuary when I first came here.

He likes to be by the door, where he can get a little attention  (BC)

We don’t know a lot about Kramer’s background; he’s about 8-9 years old, and has been surrendered twice, for no fault of his own.  The first time was in 2021, when his human family moved and couldn’t take their cats, so Kramer and his housemates came into our care.  He was adopted again at the end of December 2021 and went to a household where he was living with a younger cat, Riker.  In the early summer of 2023, both cats returned to us because of some sort of family crisis, and they took up residence in semi-detatched cages in the DW.  Gradually it became clear that though the two tolerated each other, they were not bonded, and Riker was really a people-cat – looking for laps, enjoying belly-rubs – so he was transferred out for adoption, and Kramer remained with us.

Kramer with younger "bro" Riker   (BC)

What was obvious was that once he was out of the cage, Kramer just bloomed – he was very comfortable in new surroundings, and is disdainfully tolerant of other cats.  He’s not anti-people in any way – there’s no aggression in him and he’s quite willing to accept a little petting. But it’s usually just a little petting, and then he turns away and says “enough, already!”  He has a bit of asthma, and tolerates the med-staff giving him a dose from the puffer.

Waiting for the door to be opened  (BC)

Interestingly, for a cat with such confidence, until recently he opted not to go outside at all. In fact, for a while he rarely negotiated the swinging door into the laundry room, preferring to wait for a human doorkeeper to open it for him. Most of the other cats have learned to push through, or to hook with a paw and pull the other way – Kramer would rather call for a butler.  But recent sunny days, with everyone deserting the DoubleWide, led him to braving both the door and the cat-door, and exploring the back courtyard. 

Not so sure about this outside exploring thing...  (BC)

He stopped to have a drink at a newly-filled waterbowl, and have a little face-off with Jasper – interestingly, it was Jasper who backed down without much fuss. A side-trip into the Tea-Room presented him with a lot of orange floof around the dinner-plate, and he avoided them and explored outside the side-door. A trip up the stairs and into Newcomers gave him a quiet encounter with Ollie, before he retraced his steps and crossed over to Pen 6. He ignored all the other cats around – very much The Cat Who Walks By Himself – but finally decided that he needed to return to the quiet of his own space in the DoubleWide.

Doing a little cat-yoga in comfort  (LBF)

Aspects of Kramer’s personality remind me of my own boy, who’s not a clingy cat, liking his own space and his own schedule, and who has only recently progressed to being on the lap, rather than beside the lap. Kramer has his favourite beds, his usual turf, and a few people that he tolerates – most of the other cats might as well not exist for him. He’s not an assertively “Garbo-cat” resident, but would probably do well in a quiet home where he’s the only cat, and can establish his territory without feline interference.  And if it never happens? - well, he’s already showing that he can settle to a comfortable life in the Sanctuary.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen, Brigid Coult, Daphne Jorgenson

Encountering Figaro

Figaro  (MW)

This handsome boy with the distinctive markings has been with us about seven years, and has established himself as a central figure in the front courtyard.

...tucked away safely  (MD)

He came from a Sunshine Coast shelter that had to close, and when he arrived he was wary and not ready to come for coaxing. Arm’s-length was tolerated, tossing treats was appreciated, but petting was not something he was ready for. What he did enjoy was the company of other cats.  

Figaro and Reefer snuggle together  (KN)

There were several others who came from the same place, and many of the older ones have now passed: Wickem, Gidget and HunnyBun all lived in the front courtyard;  old-lady SweetPea is still with us. She too is a semi-feral, but on the shyer end of the spectrum.  Figaro’s friend Reefer likes to play, but he also is not much into being petted.

The favourite wall pose  (MW)

Figaro, though, has become very social. He’s always been part of the Boys Club in the front area, and can be found with a variety of feline buddies, but he’s also settled to being handled by humans.  He likes best to be up a level, and mooches shamelessly from the coping around the small trees, dancing in place to attract attention.  He will hop up on the benches and beg for treats, occasionally settling in a lap, though he prefers to be snuggled beside the volunteer or visitor in question.

Playing "king" in the gazebo   (KN)

He roams the whole front courtyard area, and may be found in any of the shelters, though recently I’ve been finding him with the papasan chair crowd at the top of the stairs. If there are handouts, Figaro will be out there – getting hyped on cat-nip, nibbling on cat-grass, chasing a rolling dental treat and playing with it before crunching down. 

pensive...   (KN)

Figaro is the perfect example of a cat that might be adoptable, but who is definitely happier where he is – feline friends, room to roam safely, treats and attention – but not ready to bond with anyone or to give up all the advantages of what I’m sure he feels is the ideal life at the Sanctuary.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Melanie Draper, Karen Nicholson, Michele Wright

Adopted - adoptable...

Smithy is the quintessential non-adoptable cat!  KN

For many years, visitors to the Cat Sanctuary have had the cats introduced as “unadoptable” – and for many of them, that’s just what they are:  scared ferals, cats with bad habits like aggression or litter-box avoidance, and cats with a variety of medical problems. When I first came to volunteer, we did minimal adoptions – perhaps ten in a year – and most of those went to volunteers who had bonded with the cats in question.

Both Twinks (formerly Peony) and Scooter (formerly Larkin)
came from the Sanctuary  (BJ)

But we’ve always had a number of what I would call stage-two ferals – cats who had come in wild and unsociable, and who had gradually eased into loving relationship with staff and volunteers. A great deal of the wariness about adopting out these semi-ferals came out of experiences where cats (Esme & Jenny, for instance) were adopted out, and then totally freaked out in their new homes, cramming themselves into inaccessible corners, and reverting to their former feral behaviour. In those situations, staff from RAPS went out to re-rescue the fearful cats, who were returned to the Sanctuary, to remain there for the rest of their lives.

The formerly feral Horatio became Louise's lap-cat (MW)

Looking back, it is easy to see that a number of steps were missed – there was not enough time given for the cats in question to bond with the adopter, there was no education about the adoption process, and there was no remedial action other than retrieving the cats. The mindset was on rescue and not on other possibilities.  Thanks to the work that has been done by cat behaviorists in the last decade, and experts like Jackson Galaxy and Pam Johnson-Bennett, we know much more about the processes that will work, from both ends of the adoption process.

75% of feral kittens don't survive to 6 months;
these babies will live, thanks to Lisa & Ken    (LBW)

The Adoption Centre deals primarily with the outcome of our rescue work; any time the team brings in a colony, there are practically always pregnant moms and kittens. We are lucky to have several wonderful fosterers who will watch over births, help new moms, and teach kittens that humans are to be trusted. When the kittens are old enough for adoption, they are brought to the Adoption Centre, where they can be visited; their adoption fees cover the cost of all their vaccinations and spay/neutering, for which their families bring them back to the RAPS Hospital.

Ernie, missing his Bert   (KN)

But though kittens are the biggest draw for visitors, they’re not the only inhabitants. We also take in surrendered cats, coming to us for a variety of reasons – usually humans who are no longer able to care for them. A senior pair, called Bert and Ernie, came in to us recently – very loveable and very unhappy about the change in their situation. They were checked over – there were some concerns about Ernie’s health – and caged together, with a request to the Kitty Comforters that they should be visited. Sadly, it was Bert whose health suddenly failed, and poor Ernie was left alone. Thankfully, someone stepped up, and Ernie has happily gone to a foster home where he will be well-loved for the rest of his life.

Benjamin & Olivia - gone to their new home  (BC)

While saying goodbye to Ernie, I heard that Benjamin and Olivia had also been adopted, which is wonderful news after all they’ve been through. The next cat in the Adoption Centre that we’ll all be rooting for is Greyson, discovered to have an infected eye probably caused in a fight; Greyson’s now one-eyed, but once recovered, will be someone’s beloved feline – he’s very chatty and friendly.

Greyson is loving the chance to explore, as he recovers  (ML)

Busy as the Adoption Centre is, some of the adoptable Sanctuary cats remain in the Sanctuary itself.  We are still hoping for homes for Whiskers and his brother Jinx, though the presence of other cats is starting to lead to some "stress pee-ing". But weekend visitors from the end of March will also encounter a variety of cats wearing “adoption bandanas”. These are not cats that we want anyone to point at, and say “I want that one!”, but they are cats that we hope visitors will sit down with, and get to know – preferably with repeated visits to give the cat a chance to bond with the human.  Sometimes we can ID the perfect cat for you – I still smile to think about how Strike “claimed” his new person last year, and how happy Elvis is with his family.

We miss our handsome Strike - but we know
he's happy in his new home   (KN)

Some of the potentially adoptable cats are still new to us, and finding their way – Truffle, Malibu and their crowd; some are part of the FIV cat community, and are not seen by all the visitors, but just love attention – Biggie, Simon, Billy Ray...  Even a couple of the FIV cats are adoptable by someone who can give them the special care they need.

Biggie loves nothing better than a good cuddle (BH)

What they all have in common is that any potential adoption needs a great deal of patience and time; most of them will not go home with you and settle in as if nothing has happened. The 3-3-3 rule is a really good one to bear in mind:
    • In the first three days: mostly in a quiet small space, with litterbox, bed and toys; let them approach you
    • In the first three weeks: allowing exploration at the cat’s pace, establishing a routine, finding a vet
    • by three months: comfortable with their space and their people, starting training

Some cats will adjust faster, but the failures usually happen when they are expected to do so more quickly, as with sweet Holly last year – her family returned her without giving her time to acclimate to a new environment – they wanted the relationship to be “right now”, and she was still scared. 

Holly's happier back with her cat-family  (KN)

The volunteers remain in prime position to bond with adoptable cats. I’ve not had a chance to blog about sweet Mortimer (mostly because he’s a black cat, and they’re notoriously difficult to get good photographs of!), but he came to us recently as a pretty reactive and sassy tom-cat, has had his neuter, and blossomed into a lap-cat (and an under-the-feet cat); he’s being adopted by a volunteer who fell in love with him while working in the DoubleWide. 

Chubby-cheeks Mortimer  (BC)

So if you’re coming to visit the Sanctuary from Easter weekend onwards and are thinking about adopting, think also about the personality that would attract you – do you want shy and gentle? active and inquisitive? a lap-sitter or a little aloof? a loner or cat-sociable? And then take your time to allow the cat to learn that you can be trusted to give them all they need to feel loved for the rest of their life.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen, Brigid Coult, Brielle Hutchison,
 Bev Johnston, Mandy Lichtmann, Karen Nicholson, Michele Wright

Boston

Boston - "it's a lovely day, and I'm in a grumpy mood"  (KN)

Last fall our cat-trapping team had their attention seriously divided between a hoarding situation in Surrey and another cat-colony that appeared in Richmond in an industrial area. The hoarding situation was solved with the involvement of the SPCA and other rescue organizations; RAPS took in at least half a dozen cats who were semi-tame, are now well settled into Sanctuary life and might even graduate to eventual adoption.  

The Christmas kittens - always cute!

The group from the industrial area were a very mixed bunch. There were several unneutered males, and inevitably pregnant moms and kittens to deal with. Many of the latter are up for adoption now – the Christmas kittens, named for Santa’s reindeer, and the Weather kittens – Storm, Lightning & Thunder Life in the Adoption Centre is busy! Some of the adults were easy with being handled; others were wary, so it’s hard to tell who might be a stray, with previous experience of humans, and who might be a true feral. 

Cheech has settled; mostly in the Connor House (BC)

Tamale still spends most of his time hiding  (KN)
He just HAS to be Boston's brother!

As is our custom, all new cats are snap-tested when they come to us, and with unneutered males, it was not surprising to find that at least one was FIV+ - FIV is passed on through bite wounds, which are common with cats who may fight over territory or potential mates. Chicharron and Tamale got a clean bill of health and were eventually released into the front courtyard, but Boston found himself living in the New Aids pen. Initially he was caged while he had his neuter surgery, and then of course he had the joy of wearing a “cone of shame”. First clue that this was not a typical feral – med-staff Molly tells me that when it came time to remove his collar, it had stuck and she had to take scissors to it. Removing a plastic collar from a feral cat is not a fun activity, but Boston was pretty calm (not happy, but calm!)

Boston's early "don't come too close" days  (KC)

On release from a cage our New Aids newbies either go up on the top of the cages to be out of reach, or they go to the back of the pen, to the Prince of Wales enclosure (named for the school that donated it, not for HRH!). Boston was a back-of-the-pen boy, and could often be found in company with black Drake and orange Rocket. Rocket (brother to Sprocket in the back pens, and probably cousin to Mercury next door) has progressed from a frightened feral to a pet-me-pet-me boy – though you have to move quietly. Drake does NOT like human company, as you can see by his flattened ears – but he does seem to like Boston’s company, and can often be found near his buddy.

Boston, with Drake in the background  (BC)

In the finer fall weather, Boston could often be found up on the roof of one of the cabins – whether getting away from things, or bird-watching, who knows...  Once it was colder he took possession of a cat-tree in P-of-W, and there he held court, establishing the centre for claiming his human worshippers.

An elegant gentleman in a tux  (BC)

Katy Cobb is the volunteer who works in New Aids on Tuesday evenings, and this boy has become a very special project for her.  She writes:
When I first met Boston in the summer he was a pretty typical feral guy. He would often hiss at me from the roof of the shed, and take off running if I got too close. When the weather got cooler, he traded the roof for an indoor cat post but he was still quite shy and never seemed too happy to see me. 

Seriously? You want to be my friend?  (KC)

I started giving him treats, and eventually cautiously tried petting him. He was initially skeptical and even whacked my hand a couple of times but I sensed he wanted to be friendly and just didn’t know how yet.  After several more weeks of consistent treat offerings, he started to accept cheek rubs. And the floodgates opened. He can’t get enough! He loves being brushed, and even likes belly rubs. He leans his whole body against me while purring and headbutting me for even more attention. 

Shy, but hopeful  (KC)

Lately I’ve been seeing if he’d like to become a truly snuggly lap cat. He’s definitely interested and I’m slowly winning his trust. So far he has committed to putting his front two paws on my lap while leaving his back paws on the floor. Fingers crossed he’ll be a full lap cat soon! 

Yes, I like this...   (KC)

Some cats are affectionate right away, and those cats are lovely. But once in a while there’s a hidden gem with a rough exterior who needs some patience and understanding to come out of their shell. Boston has so much love to give, and I can’t wait to see him fully embrace it.     (KC)

Blog by Brigid Coult and Katy Cobb (thank you, Katy!)

Photos by Katy Cobb, Brigid Coult, Karen Nicholson