Welcome to the Hauser House
A Fresh Start for Our Sanctuary Cats
Something extraordinary has happened at RAPS Cat Sanctuary.
Our beloved “double-wide” – a building that has quietly served thousands of cats for nearly two decades – has been completely renovated and reborn. Today, it has a new name and a renewed purpose: The Hauser House, named in memory of Marcia Elizabeth Hauser, whose family made this transformation possible through their generous contribution.
Marcia loved cats. And now, because of that love, thousands more will live healthier, safer, more comfortable lives.
Why This Renovation Matters
The previous infrastructure was 20 years old. Over time, the floors had begun to rot. The walls were worn down from years of scratches and deterioration. The cages were aging. And as anyone who works in sanctuary medicine knows, when you care for vulnerable cats – especially those who miss litter boxes due to illness or age – wear and odour become unavoidable realities.
It wasn’t cosmetic. It wasn’t optional. It was time.
So we gutted it.
We rebuilt everything.
The result? A space that feels brighter, cleaner, fresher, and stronger.
Everything has been updated: new flooring, refreshed walls, modern cabinetry, improved lighting, and expanded storage. The entire building has been painted white, with lighter floors and cupboards that reflect light instead of absorbing it. The difference when you walk in is immediate. It feels bigger and brighter.
It smells fresher. It feels like home!
Because it is.
The Heart of the Hauser House: The Modernized Med Office
One of the most important upgrades was the expansion and modernization of the sanctuary’s med office. This renovation was made possible through a gift by Judy Sharp in memory of her father, Jim Sharp. Both Sharps were pharmacists and Judy said her father’s love of animals made funding the Med Office a lovely way to remember her father’s legacy of support for people and animals.
This is where medications are stored, where chronic-care cats have their daily treatments prepared, and where sanctuary medical staff organize and prepare doses for cats who require regular medication. Veterinarians also conduct on-site visits here.
The med office is now larger and brighter, equipped with proper counter space, modern cupboards, expanded storage, and a dedicated sink. The lighting has dramatically improved, making it easier and safer for medical procedures and consultations.
For our veterinary partners and our med staff, this is not just convenient — it’s transformational.
When you care for medically fragile cats every single day, infrastructure matters.
Who Lives in the Hauser House?
The Hauser House is a transitional, flexible, and essential space within the sanctuary.
It serves the back courtyard crew — our free-roaming cats who can come and go through cat doors as they please. They nap on top of cages. They curl up in bunks. Food and water are available. It’s a living, breathing sanctuary space.
At the same time, the building contains 15 walk-in cages.
These cages allow staff to monitor food and water intake, litter box output, and recovery after surgery. They provide secure space for cats recovering from dental work or other procedures. They make it possible to administer medication multiple times a day without struggling to find a particular animal among the population.
The space is also critical for socializing feral cats — allowing a volunteer to sit quietly inside a walk-in cage, building trust in a safe environment.
Because many of the cats housed there may be recovering from illness — including contagious-to-other-cats infections — the Hauser House is generally closed to weekend visitors. It is a working, medical, transitional space. It is a behind-the-scenes engine of care.
And now, it is equipped to do that work better than ever.
A Refresh — With Purpose
Structurally, the blueprint remains familiar. The cages are the same size. The laundry room remains where it has always been — washer, dryer, and sink — but everything has been updated. The cabinetry is new. Storage has expanded. The med office has moved to the opposite side of the building.
The layout is recognizable.
But the experience is transformed.
This is not a flashy redesign. It is something better: a thoughtful, purposeful refresh that dramatically improves daily life for the cats and the people who care for them.
It is infrastructure in service of compassion.
Honouring Marcia Elizabeth Hauser
We now call this building the Hauser House in memory of Marcia Elizabeth Hauser.
Marcia loved cats.
Because of her family’s generosity, that love now lives on in brighter floors, safer cages, improved medical care, and fresher air. It lives on in every cat recovering comfortably after surgery. In every chronic cat receiving properly prepared medication. In every feral cat slowly learning to trust.
At RAPS, we believe that love is not an abstract thing. It is built. It is painted. It is wired. It is installed. It is cleaned every day.
The Hauser House stands as proof.
Thank you to the Hauser family for helping us give our sanctuary cats what they deserve: safe space, modern care, and a future built on compassion.
Welcome to the Hauser House.
