What is “community-supported” veterinary care?
Part 1 in our “About the Hospital” series
RAPS Animal Hospital Entrance – Photo: Radina Droumeva of Radina Photography
The RAPS Animal Hospital opened in February with an exciting new vision for animal care.
Created by the Regional Animal Protection Society, the hospital is the final lynchpin in the “RAPS Model” of no-kill animal care.
First of all, the foundational vision of our organization: Under our care, no animal is ever euthanized due to lack of space, treatable illness, physical defect, age, rectifiable behavioural or socialization issues.
This is the promise we make to the animals and people we serve. To realize this ambitious, humane objective, we incorporate the shelter model (we operate the City of Richmond Animal Shelter), the sanctuary model (we operate the RAPS Cat Sanctuary, home to more than 400 mostly unadoptable cats), a vast fostering network, services to animals in households with low incomes (animal food bank), and a social enterprise component.
RAPS has a long history in social enterprise, having operated the RAPS Thrift Store for many years and a second outlet, the RAPS Animal Hospital Thrift Store has just had its soft opening on July 28th (Grand Opening slated for August 18th – stay tuned!).
The RAPS Animal Hospital:
Opening Day Ribbon Cutting – Photo: Radina Droumeva of Radina Photography
The most significant development in the creation of the RAPS Model is the opening of the RAPS Animal Hospital. This is a community-owned hospital.
What is the mission of the hospital?
The RAPS Animal Hospital strives to provide affordable healthcare with revenue reinvested in saving the lives of more abandoned and surrendered animals and assisting vulnerable communities that cannot afford veterinary care.
What do we mean by “community-owned” hospital?
RAPS Animal Hospital Opening Day – Photo: Radina Droumeva of Radina Photography
The hospital is run by RAPS – a non-profit organization, which means it is owned by members of the community and run by a volunteer board consisting of medical experts (we have two veterinarians on our board) and a team devoted to animals. Because we are a charity, we answer to the members – which is you! The hospital utilizes volunteers for non-essential services to keep costs down.
What do we mean by “community-supported” veterinary care?
The community invests in the RAPS Animal Hospital in numerous ways. We rely on donations to keep costs and services down (and we provide tax receipts). Volunteers and gifts-in-kind help us equip and furnish the hospital. And, by choosing the RAPS Animal Hospital for your veterinary care, revenue from services provided is reinvested into programs that save and improve the lives of even more animals. Animals Need RAPS…RAPS Needs You!
We are a community that works together to improve the health and welfare of animals. We cannot do this alone. Community-supported veterinary care means members of the community – that’s you! – are our partners in delivering health care to the companion animals in our community. Your patronage of the RAPS Animal Hospital truly makes a positive difference to the companion animals of Metro Vancouver.
