Meet the humans: Valerie Wilson

RAPS is all about the animals. But everything we do is possible only because of the people who deliver individualized care to the animals!

What is your role at RAPS?

I am the Sanctuary Assistant Manager and have been working here since June 2020.

What is it about RAPS that appeals to you?

I am committed to RAPS because of our no kill policy but, beyond that, I am proud of how we offer safe refuge to cats with special needs that other rescues might otherwise put down. We take in not only Leukemia and AIDS cats, but ferals, diabetics and cats struggling with kidney disease all find a home (and proper medical care) here at the Sanctuary.

What is your favourite / least favourite part of the job?

My favourite part of the job is not just snuggling with the cats – that’s a big part of it – but also collaborating with the amazing staff to provide the best care for each and every one of these cats.

My least favourite part is when we have to let one of the residents go over the rainbow bridge. Death is a sad reality of rescue and we have to deal with it often. Coping with these losses is made easier by knowing that we gave so many of them a better life than they would have had if they didn’t come to us.

Tell us about yourself!

I grew up in Kamloops B.C. and have had cats for as long as I can remember. I started volunteering with my local animal rescue when I was only 12 years old and started working for them when I was in my late 20s. 

I have two human children. My daughter, 25, lives in Kamloops and my son, 27, lives in Nanaimo. I moved to the Lower Mainland in 2016, bartended at my local Legion for a few years, and co-founded a rescue back in Kamloops in 2019 before coming to RAPS last year. I currently have two cats of my own, and am fostering a RAPS cat while he recovers from surgery. I also have a rescue snake that was found abandoned in a scrap metal yard 10 years ago.

What do you do in your spare time?

In my spare time I like to hike, kayak and garden when weather permits, but also enjoy reading, listening to music and catching up with friends.