Cat Sanctuary – Time for Renewal

The RAPS Cat Sanctuary has lots of news to share. We’ve got an extraordinary new manager taking the helm, renovations in the works, a burgeoning cat sponsorship program and opportunities for volunteers – no matter what your interests or skills.

A magical destination

A Sunday visit to the RAPS Cat Sanctuary is a treasured part of the week for so many families. As word has spread about the magical experience of the place, more and more people are coming for visiting hours (Sundays, 1-4 p.m.).

This is great, because animals make our lives happier and healthier. It has, though, meant that we have needed to ensure that the residents are not disturbed by the increasing number of visitors. We’ve got new signage, letting everyone know how to ensure that animals and people all enjoy the experience. It may look like a long list of “do’s” and “don’t’s” but we know you understand why these rules are in place.

To make the Sanctuary even more comfortable for the feline residents, while also accommodating the demand from increasing numbers of visitors, we have planned a Cat Sanctuary Visitor Experience Project that will make the space safer and more enjoyable for humans, give cats that want peace and quiet the hiding places they want, while providing free rein to the hundreds of residents who just can’t get enough pets, ear rubs, belly tickles, cuddles and coos.

Please vote for our project …

Completing this project depends in part on winning a $10,000 grant from the Aviva Community Fund. We are asking you to vote (before Friday!) and share the message with your social circle online and in real time! It costs you nothing but a moment of your time. (You do have to register and give an email, but they will not bombard you with messages!) It is a small thing, but it could make a huge difference!

Here’s a message you can cut and paste to your social media and email:

Friends! Please help me! The Regional Animal Protection Society, a no-kill animal-serving agency, is competing to win $10,000 for a very important project. We are hoping to fund vital upgrades to the RAPS Cat Sanctuary, home to hundreds of cats, most of whom are unadoptable. I hope you will join me in voting for this project. It only takes a few moments to vote. (You do have to register and provide your email, but there is no cost and they will not bombard you with emails.) Thank you for doing this. It means a lot to me. https://www.avivacommunityfund.org/voting/project/view/18-589

VOTE TODAY

Upgrades in the works!

Whether or not we win the $10,000 prize (but with your help, WE WILL!), there are basic maintenance and upgrade projects we need to do on the facility. Several of the structures and other infrastructure at the Sanctuary are aging. And you’d be surprised at how much wear and tear hundreds of cats can do to a place!

We’ll be fixing drainage systems, replacing water heaters and furnaces, reinforcing pens and fences, repairing roofs and doing a whole list of projects.

You can help in lots of ways

All of these projects cost money – but we can save money (and therefore save and improve more lives) by relying on the unique skills and assets of our enormous networks of supporters and friends.

If you (or someone you know) is in the business of renovations, fencing, home repairs, roofing, plumbing and heating or, well, almost any trade imaginable, we would be incredibly grateful for in-kind gifts of parts or labour.

And for people who don’t have items or money to donate, we can achieve so much on small budgets with the help of volunteer labour. Over the years, RAPS has been able to create small miracles on small budgets especially because so many of you are generous with your time.

If your coworkers, club, group of friends – or just you – are looking for a project to exercise your handyperson skills, you can help us realize these upgrades by volunteering for work parties. (OK, it’s more work than party, but you’ll feel great after – and we’ll be incredibly thankful!)

Sponsor a cat

There are so many ways for an individual to make a very real difference in the lives of the animals we care for. We have high hopes that we can get humans – that’s you! – to sponsor a cat at the Sanctuary until we have every cat with a designated sponsor.

This commitment – $25 a month … pennies a day … the cost of a couple of grande, extra-hot, low-fat pumpkin spice lattes – means your sponsored cat’s expenses are almost entirely covered. That means RAPS can reallocate funds to do what we do best: save and improve even more lives.

Please consider sponsoring a cat. Or consider sponsoring as a gift to a cat lover you know. You (or your happy friend) will receive a certificate of sponsorship and some details about “your” cat. And, of course, you can come visit them too. There are other benefits of sponsorship. Learn more here.

SPONSOR A CAT

Under new management!

The entire RAPS family is excited to welcome a new manager to lead the Cat Sanctuary as we improve and expand our facility and services. This is a really great hire … but we’re going to keep you in suspense until we welcome her with a big splash. Stay tuned!