Shaggy and Spicer: Bonded pair find new home at Sanctuary

There are a lot of things you could spend your money on. Are there any that would make you feel as good as knowing that you are saving and improving the life of an animal?

The RAPS Cat Sanctuary is looking for sponsors for Shaggy and Spicer.

Sponsor a Shaggy or Spicer
“These sweet older cats came to us a few months ago. One of our Sunday visitors asked if we could take cats from outside Richmond. An elderly relative on the Island had passed away, and her cats were owner-less – living in her home and being cat-sat by various people who were unable to become their new owners, they were not doing particularly well. The local shelter was unable to promise much – older cats, and especially older bonded cats, are not easy to find homes for. After discussion with the staff, Shaggy (12) and Spicer (11) came to us.

“For the first while they were in the Double Wide, in one of the quiet corner cages. Both cats were obviously upset by the turn in their fortune; Shaggy in particular was wary of all these strange people. But quiet visits from the Kitty Comforters worked their magic, and the two gradually relaxed in their new surroundings. We hoped that, without taking them to the City Shelter, we might be able to find them an adoptive or foster family here. But then it turned out that Shaggy was diabetic, and the triple-whammy of age, health and a bonded pair told us that they would probably remain Sanctuary residents.

“We transferred them to the Moore House, the “gericatric” building. The Moore has its share of cranky divas, and once their door was opened, it took a little while for them to venture out. Now the summer is here, Shaggy is happy to make his way to the deck and enjoy the sun; Spicer basks as well, but also enjoys visits from any humans around.

“The two of them are often found together. Shaggy is very affectionate with his roommate; in fact, sometimes his licking is a little too enthusiastic, and she gives him a smack!

“We’re monitoring him carefully. Like humans, some cats remain diabetic all their lives, and with regular insulin, the condition can be managed. With other cats – especially when a previously overweight cat loses some of that weight, diabetes may go into remission. Weight control is always harder to manage in group living, of course – we’ll just have to see how Shaggy makes out.

“Cats living in the Moore House are not accessible to Sunday visitors, but they get a lot of attention from the daily Kitty Comforters, as well as from the volunteers who clean and feed in the area.”

From The Neko Files blog post written by Brigid Coult, long-time Sanctuary volunteer

The RAPS Cat Sanctuary has a sponsorship program that invites anyone to sponsor one of our cats. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the life of an animal.

The RAPS Cat Sanctuary is home to almost 400 cats. Each one is an individual, with specific needs. Some have a medical condition, such as diabetes, feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus or age-related conditions like hyperthyroidism and kidney issues. Other cats are unable to control their bodily functions or have behavioural issues that make them unsuitable for most family homes.

In many other jurisdictions, many or most of these cats would have been euthanized. But RAPS has a no-kill promise. Under our care, no animal is ever euthanized due to lack of space, treatable illness, physical defect, age, rectifiable behavioural or socialization issues.

Of course, keeping this promise takes money and resources. We depend on the people who share our vision to help us deliver the best possible lives to the cats in our care.

Because the RAPS Cat Sanctuary has been operating for many years, many of the residents are now older and require ongoing medical care. Thanks to the opening of the new RAPS Animal Hospital, veterinary care is now more accessible and affordable than before. But there are still expenses incurred, as well as food, litter, staffing time and building maintenance.

As the sponsor of a Sanctuary cat, you will know that you are helping to improve the life of a wonderful animal. But there are other perks that come with sponsorship too.

• You will receive a sponsorship certificate accompanied by a letter with information about the sponsored cat
• You will receive a VIP membership at the RAPS Animal Hospital, entitling you to 25% off all in-house veterinary services in 2018.
• You will receive a ‘Feline Friend Card’, offering free admission to the the Cat Sanctuary during open hours (Sunday 1PM-4PM)
• Knowing that you are helping to feed and care for one of our ~400 cats!

And all of this costs less than a dollar a day.

Will you sponsor Shaggy or Spicer? Click here to sponsor! Or phone us at 604-242-1661 or email us at admin@rapsbc.com to discuss sponsorship.

Photo credits to Michele Wright, Furry Friends Photography and Vicky Lo, Sanctuary volunteer